First Friday: The Artist’s Palette
We live in a vibrant, colorful world! This First Friday, explore how artists capture the colors of nature through pigments, paints, and dyes.
Watch recreations of historical paint-making techniques, learn about the toxic beauty of poisonous pigments, examine the tools of the artist’s trade, and enjoy pop-up displays from our special collections. You’ll also learn about natural dyes like indigo and henna, and take home your very own henna design!
About First Fridays
Spark your curiosity while exploring the exhibits after hours! First Fridays bring together a myriad of activities covering everyday science, historical oddities, and everything in between. Grab your friends, and kick off an evening of discovery, surprise, and a little nerdy fun.
First Fridays at the Institute are always free and open to the public. Attendees will receive a 10% discount to National Mechanics restaurant.
More events
Understanding the Chemical Industry’s Financial Structures and Global Expansion to Inform its Transition to Sustainability
The 2026 T. T. Chao Symposium on Innovation will focus on the relationships between finance, patterns of ownership, and world trade, which are particularly significant for the chemical industry’s transition to sustainability in the 21st century.
Othmer Library Tour
Curious about the other half of the Science History Institute? Step into the Othmer Library of Chemical History!
Wine, Roses, and Chocolate: How Romance and Science Work Together to Sweeten the Dark Days of February
Master flavorist Sam Tharpe, essential oil specialist Kim Bleimann, expert chocolatier Jim St.John, and chemist of wine André Isaacs uncover the unseen molecular world of romantic staples and the science that delivers them.