arts

First Fridays in Grand Center are an opportunity for families to enjoy the latest art exhibitions from St. Louis' leading arts organizations, like the Contemporary Art Museum, the Sheldon Art Galleries, Krantzberg Arts Center, International Photography Hall of Fame, Craft Alliance Center for Art + Design, Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, Saint Louis University Museum of Art, Public Media Commons and others, at no cost.

Explore the neighborhood's remarkable array of visual arts during a walking tour. Free and open to all.

5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Grand Center. More information: firstfridaygrandcenter.org

School Daze Camps at Artscope are a great way for kids to spend their days when school is out. Kids will make fabulous art projects, explore Tower Grove Park, play games, sing songs and make new friends. 

Camps are for kids ages 5 to 11. Each camp has a different theme. At Puppet Parade it's all about puppets, big and small, short and tall. Campers will learn about Gigantes and construct their own self-animated friends. 

Camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with before and after-care available beginning at 7:30 a.m. through 6 p.m. Cost for camp is $45 with additional for before or after-care.

For more information and online registration, go to: artscopestl.org

Laumeier Sculpture Park's Free Family Days provide families with a chance to bond while encouraging observation, imagination, curiosity and creativity. Visitors of all ages participate in structured activities for creating art using a variety of materials to create artwork based on personal experience.

Activities are designed to be simple enough for ages 4 and up to enjoy, yet complex enough that more experienced young artists can take their projects to another level. Families explore new media and concepts together and find inspiration in Laumeier's artworks and the natural environment. 

2 to 4 p.m. Free for all ages and open to all. More information: laumeier.org

Schlafly Art Outside is a three-day invitational art fair featuring affordable art from more than 50 artists based in the St. Louis area. Enjoy quality art, tasty food, local brews and live music. There will also be special attractions for kids, including hands-on art projects at this family friendly festival. 

Visit the Yucandu Art Studio book where kids can make mosaic cement boxes, glitter headbands and more.

At Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood. Admission is free.

Art Outside will be held

• Friday, May 25: 4 to 10 p.m.
• Saturday. May 26: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday, May 27: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More information: schlafly.com

Explore the current exhibitions at the World Chess Hall of Fame during a kid-friendly tour, take part in hands-on activities for kids, and play and learn about the game of chess at these special Family Days. These events are designed for families with children ages 5 to 12. Each day has a different theme.

Admission is free for members at the Family level, or $5 per child for non-members. Sessions are limited to 24 children, so registration is recommended. Family Days are held on Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. at the World Chess Hall of Fame in the Central West End.

To RSVP and for more information: worldchesshof.org

Art Fair at Laumeier is a nationally acclaimed fine art and craft fair at Laumeier Sculpture Park featuring food and beverage vendors, hands-on activities for kids, live music and more. The Art Fair is now in its 31st year.

At the Art Fair, visitors can choose from a variety of creative and original works of art from 150 artists from across the country and enjoy hands-on art activities for kids. Available for sale are works in ceramics, fiber/textiles, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography/digital, printmaking/drawing, sculpture and wood. A highly competitive juried show, the art fair receives over 400 applications, of which 150 are selected to participate. Judges award a total of $11,000 in prizes.

In addition to the artwork, food and drink from a variety of local vendors is available and you'll find exciting music and entertainment throughout the weekend.

Enjoy the beautiful grounds of the Park, including the Creation Location children's area featuring hands-on art projects for kids and free with Art Fair admission! Creation Location is open on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, enjoy the City of Sunset Hills' Music Festival, free with Art Fair admission.

Art Fair hours are:
Friday, May 11: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 
Saturday, May 12: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 13: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $10 per person for ages 11 and up
Free for ages 10 and under and for members.

At Laumeier Sculpture Park in South St. Louis County. Presented by Emerson and produced in partnership with St. Louis County Parks.

More information: laumeier.org

Some of the best things in life are free! The Magic House holds Emerson Free Family Nights every third Friday of the month from 5:30 pm to 9 pm.

These special nights enable a family (no more than two adults and four of their own children) to enjoy more than 100 hands-on exhibits in the museum at no charge. Reservations are not required.

More information: magichouse.org

Experience St. Louis County as it was a century ago. Tour the 1850s Conway House, home of Dr. Frederick and Lavinia Bates and its period herb garden and outdoor kitchen. Also tour the circa 1848 log cabin of Ludwig and Salome Mertz, a dye and insect repellent garden, German vegetable garden, smokehouse, outhouse and woodshed and the Davis House, which originally was a two story log cabin with it's detached washhouse and smokehouse. On occasion, visitors may see a blacksmith at work in the Yokel barn. Guides in period dress will be available to answer questions.

Spanning a period from 1840 to 1910, the Historic Village represents a cross-section of architectural styles and building materials. All of the houses were moved into Faust Park from the surrounding area and saved from probable demolition.

At Faust Park in Chesterfield. Noon to 4 p.m. Free.

More information: stlouisco.com

School Daze Camps at Artscope are a great way for kids to spend their days when school is out. Kids will make fabulous art projects, explore Tower Grove Park, play games, sing songs and make new friends. 

Camps are for kids ages 5 to 11. Each camp has a different theme. At Cabin Fever Camp, campers will party like it's 1776! They'll learn about homesteading, log cabins, and what life was like before the internet.

Camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with before and after-care available beginning at 7:30 a.m. through 6 p.m. Cost for camp is $40 with additional for before or after-care.

For more information and online registration, go to: artscopestl.org