Family Friendly

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

The Watts Towers Tour Guide Program offers visitors a unique and in-depth look at one of Los Angeles’ most iconic landmarks. Participants will be guided by knowledgeable tour guides through the towers, learning about the history, cultural significance, and artistic processes involved in their creation. The tour, which is the only way to gain access to the towers, will last approximately 30 minutes and highlight the life of Simon Rodia, the Italian immigrant who built the towers over a

33-year period, and the cultural and social context of the Watts neighborhood in which they stand. The tour also includes a visit to the Watts Towers Arts Center, where visitors can see rotating exhibitions of contemporary art and learn about the ongoing preservation efforts for the Towers. With this program, visitors will gain a greater appreciation for the Watts Towers as a masterpiece of folk art and a symbol of resilience and community spirit.

 $3 Bill celebrates the contributions of LGBTQ+ artists in the last century. From pioneers who explored sexual and gender identity in the first half of the 20th century, through the liberation movements and the horrors of the HIV/AIDS epidemics, to today’s more inclusive and expansive understanding of gender, $3 Bill presents a journey of resilience, pride, and beauty. Tuesdays – Thursdays & Sundays 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Fridays & Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

The exhibition showcases over thirty works from Jeffrey Gibson, first presented at the 60th Venice Biennale, where he was the first Indigenous artist to represent the U.S. solo. His work integrates influences such as Indigenous artistic traditions, American political documents, and pop music to critique historical narratives while celebrating community strength and joy.

 

Tuesday & Wednesday & Friday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Feed our playful koi, stroll the winding pathways, view the Tea House, or reflect at the Zen Garden. Each season unfolds with colorful blossoms, exciting cultural celebrations, and intriguing exhibits.

Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Saturday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Free, no entry without required reservation, tickets available at the website

Explore newly uncovered treasures from China’s Shaanxi Province in World of the Terracotta Warriors. This exhibition features over 120 artifacts, including terracotta warriors, chariot regalia, jade and gold adornments, and bronze vessels. Discover the evolution of China’s political and artistic landscape, from early walled cities to the Qin dynasty’s legendary warriors. Presented in collaboration with leading Chinese museums and archaeological institutions, this exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the ancient past.

This exhibition references a long and ongoing story of cross-cultural exchange and collision between China and the West, beginning with a mid-18th century fountain at Yuanmingyuan, the Old Summer Palace in Beijing. The fountain, commissioned by Emperor Qianlong and designed by Jesuit priests, was used to tell time. The waterspouts were later looted from Yuanmingyuan by French and British forces.