Last weekend, Houston families flocked to MacGregor Park for a fun day outdoors at Bayou Greenway Day. The free festival, hosted by the Houston Parks Board to encourage residents to explore Brays Bayou Greenway, offered a myriad of activities, including arts and crafts, games, sports, live music and food trucks. The University of Houston’s Blaffer Art Museum joined the action, inviting children to make “Nature Papers,” collaged cards, craft tags and bookmarks decorated with images of leaves.

Blaffer’s Curator of Education Katherine Veneman represented the museum alongside UH student Marissa Gonzalez (BA Creative Writing ’17). Veneman is always seeking opportunities to bring Blaffer’s programs to the public and was thrilled to engage with families at the event. “Bayou Greenway Day offered Blaffer Art Museum a great opportunity to connect with our neighboring and city-wide community,” she said. “It’s a chance to introduce both adults and children to the museum’s program, and to re-connect with those who are already familiar with us.”

As an officer in the Blaffer Art Museum Student Association (BAMSA), Gonzalez is involved in the promotion of the museum’s educational programs and enjoys such opportunities to connect with the public. One of her favorite things about the event was seeing the diversity of people attracted to their booth. “I enjoyed hearing the stories of the people who came to our table,” said Gonzalez, recalling one man in particular who told them it was his first time making something artistic in years. “We had a welcoming vibe that brought all kinds of people to our activity.”

Blaffer offers numerous educational programs to the public throughout the year, including Summer Arts Workshops and artist talks. To learn more about the programs, visit http://blafferartmuseum.org/events/list/.