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February 13, 2025

Where Every Family Matters

Mom Report: Fun Family Monday at the Frist

A unique, affordable exploration of the Frist Art Museum designed for families takes place on the second Monday of each month.

 

WHO: Mom Reporter Kristi and Wesley (4)
WHAT: Family Monday at the Frist Art Museum (919 Broadway, Nashville)
WHEN: The second Monday of each month from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
TICKETS: One adult admission ($15) covers your enter family (free for members)
INFO: 615-244-3340 | fristartmuseum.org

On Monday, Nov. 11, I  took my 4-year-old son, Wesley, to the Frist Art Museum for its Family Monday event. This happens on the second Monday of each month from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. On Family Mondays, your entire family can visit for the price of only one adult admission. When visiting the museum be sure to get a parking validation for $2 an hour parking in its designated lot off of Demonbreun behind the museum.

The storytime segment includes English, Spanish and
American Sign Language interpretation.

When we first arrived, we explored the first floor gallery, which is currently displaying Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists through Monday, Jan. 12, 2020. Just as we were finished with the exhibit it was time for storytime. This month's story was When We We’re Alone, and it was read is English, American Sign Language and Spanish! It was very exciting to introduce Wesley to different languages! He was fixated on watching the interpreters throughout the entire story. 

After storytime there is a family tour of the gallery. The tour focuses on just a few art pieces in order to teach the children about proper museum behaviors and etiquette, such as respecting the art barriers, remembering to use inside voices and photography regulations. It's explained as an introduction for children on what to expect when taking museum tours in the future. 

Wesley poses in front of the gian sun in the Eric Carle exhibit.

When the tour was finished we went upstairs to explore the Eric Carle's Picture Books exhibit. The entrance to the exhibit is a larger-than-life Very Hungry Caterpillar! The exhibit is perfect for young children and full of vibrant colors and stories. There's even a room with a large screen to sit and watch a video reading of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle himself. After we were done with the story, we ended our day in the Martin ArtQuest gallery where we made our very own caterpillar! Martin ArtQuest has several different stations for children to channel their creativity and is reserved only for families during this event!

This was the perfect outing for any age. We were able to escape the cold weather and visit the Frist where Wesley enjoyed becoming his own little artist, and I was able to enjoy our time exploring the galleries. If you’re looking for something different to do with your family, I suggest a visit during the Frist's Family Monday events. I highly recommend planning your visit while you can still see the Eric Carle exhibit before it leaves on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020.

Kristi and Wesley show off their creation in the Martin ArtQuest gallery.

UPCOMING FAMILY MONDAY FEATURED STORYTIME BOOKS

MONDAY, DEC. 9, 2019
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Written and illustrated by Eric Carle

MONDAY, JAN. 13, 2020
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Writtend by Bill Martin Jr.; illustrated by Eric Carle

MONDAY, FEB. 10
The Nonsense Show
Written and illustrated by Eric Carle

 

About the Author

Kristina Johnson

Kristina Johnson is a local mom who loves going on outings with her three kids.