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
Stories of Science: Spooky Science
Join us in our museum EVERY SATURDAY for a family-friendly program that highlights strange and surprising stories from the history of science!
National Chemistry Week: The Hidden Life of Spices
Discover how spices get their flavors from their chemical makeup at the American Chemical Society’s family-friendly festival.
Beyond Frankenstein: Transplant Science and Lifesaving Pig Organs
This virtual panel will discuss how transplant decision making walks the fine line between what is morally valid for the extension of life and the range of technologies that could test our definition of what it means to be human.