Let the Games Begin! Museum Offers Family Games Afternoon

For immediate release: October 10, 2005
For information, contact: Sandi Olivo, Curator of Education (802) 443–2248

MIDDLEBURY, Vt.—On Sat., Oct. 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. the Middlebury College Museum of Art, located in the college’s Center for the Arts on Rte. 30, will host a family games afternoon in conjunction with the exhibition “Asian Games: The Art of Contest” on view at the museum through Dec. 11. The exhibition, originated by the Asia Society, explores the development of games and their social role as they traveled across Asia. This is illustrated through exquisite examples of games from China, Japan, India, and Iran, as well as through artistic depictions of game playing.

During the family games afternoon, children ages 8 through 12 and their adult companions will learn how to play various Asian board and tile games, including snakes and ladders, chess, Chinese chess, backgammon, go, pachisi, and mahjong. In addition, participants can explore the exhibition “Asian Games” using Gallery Hunt guides. They can then create their own Asian board game and pieces to take home. Student docents will be available to assist families with the various games and activities. Refreshments will be served in the Center for the Arts Lower Lobby.

The Middlebury College Museum of Art is free and open to the public Tues. through Fri. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sat. and Sun. from noon to 5 p.m. It is closed Mondays. The Museum is accessible to people with varying disabilities. Parking is available in the Center for the Arts parking lot. For further information, please call (802) 443–5007 or TTY (802) 443–3155, or visit the museum’s website at http://museum.middlebury.edu/.