July 4 Is Free At The Eiteljorg Museum July 3, 2008

JULY 4 IS FREE AT THE EITELJORG MUSEUM

Museum marks Independence Day with family activities, free admission
(INDIANAPOLIS) – There’s no better time to enjoy family-friendly, hands-on activities, world-class art and great food than July 4, when the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art invites the Indianapolis community to visit for FREE.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests can explore museum exhibits, including Yosemite: Art of an American Icon, a wonderful exhibit exploring the visual legacy of Yosemite National Park. In addition to the exhibition, families can try the horizontal climbing wall, see how acorn soup was made by Native Americans, climb into a modern day campsite and more at Camp Yosemite. Families with children can make the most of their visit with the museum’s Family Adventures Pack, a free interactive guide available at admissions desks, and they can find fun and educational activities in Discovery Junction at the museum’s Nina Mason Pulliam Education Center.
In celebration of Independence Day, the museum will also participate in Canal Family Fest, featuring family activities and music in the museum gardens along the Downtown Central Canal. The festival takes place from 4:30 – 9:30 p.m. and includes diversions, such as playing games with folk toys, make papel piccado (punched paper) and add a panel to our festive Mexican style banner, tossing buffalo chips, plus storytelling from Michael Smith as “Bones Hooks” and rousing Mexican music with a mariachi band, who will perform from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
While visiting, guests can take a break at the Sky City Café, which serves up Native American and Southwest-inspired cuisine. Kahn’s Catering, the museum’s exclusive caterer, will offer a special buffet in the Café after 5 p.m.; patrons can then enjoy the city’s fireworks display from the restaurant’s terrace.
“If you’ve been meaning to visit the Eiteljorg Museum, July 4 is the day to make the trip. The museum will be alive with activity,” says Martha Hill, Ph.D., the Eiteljorg Museum’s vice president for public programs and visitor services. “The museum’s garden will be a great place to enjoy the 4th and have fun under a view of the Indianapolis skyline; and the Sky City Café terrace makes a wonderful spot to watch the fireworks.”
The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art seeks to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history and cultures of the American West and the indigenous peoples of North America. The museum, which opened in 1989, is located in Indianapolis’ White River State Park. For general information about the museum and to learn more about exhibits and events, call (317) 636-WEST (9378) or visit www.eiteljorg.org.

Official Website: http://www.eiteljorg.org