Family Friendly

Christmas Holiday display of our finest antiques, Santa Clauses, angels, choir boys, and village scenes that depict Dickens’s Victorian Christmas. Our Christmas tree will be decorated with our collection of antique ornaments and there will be a display of vintage Christmas cards.

In 2019, Lawson answered more than 1,000 questions in his Story File so that future generations can continue conversing with him to learn about his legacy. What would you like to ask Lawson?

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.,
Thursday, 12:00 noon – 8:00 p.m.
Adults – $16, Seniors and Youth – $9, Members and Children under 5 – Free

Mark Bradford’s 150 Portrait Tone, a mural-size composition that contains elements of both abstraction and realism, is based on an idea for a work that the artist conceived after the fatal shooting of Philando Castile by a police officer in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in July 2016. Castile, a nutrition services supervisor at an elementary school, was shot after being pulled over in his car—an incident that was livestreamed on Facebook by Castile’s girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, who was sitting in the passenger seat next to him.

The painting features excerpts of Reynolds’s dialogue from the video. The title, 150 Portrait Tone, refers to the name and color code of the pink acrylic used throughout the painting. Like the now-obsolete “flesh” crayon in the Crayola 64 box (renamed “peach” in 1962), the color “portrait tone” carries inherent assumptions about who, exactly, is being depicted. In the context of Bradford’s painting, the title presents a sobering commentary on power and representation.

Going on 20 years, McGroarty Arts Center’s holiday festival brings together community artisans, a student art show and sale, kids art-making station and art demos, live entertainment,  a delectable baked goodies sale, and a variety of gourmet chili! Enjoy one of many chili options by purchasing a one-of-a-kind bowl crafted by McGroarty’s staff and students. The 20thAnnual Holiday Festival and Chili Bowl Sale on Saturday, December 7, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 8, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit mcgroartyartscenter.org/events.

This event is free and open to the public!

Explore living collections of orchids and camellias, a botanical conservatory, a fragrant rose garden, a children’s garden, and more, in 16 themed gardens spread over 120 acres. All visitors, including members, must reserve tickets online in advance.