Community Programs
The Dennos Museum Center presents a variety of programs for all ages, seeking to build community, spark conversation, and inspire change. Check out the listings here to find out what's happening.
paul welch: 90 WORKS, 90 YEARS reception
Friday, May 17th
5:00 - 7:00 PM
GET TICKETS
Join us for an evening reception of Paul Welch: 90 Works, 90 Years on Friday, May 17th at 5:00 PM. Tickets will open to the general public on April 26th.
Paul is legendary as an artist and also for his love of engaging with others—teaching, sharing, and always learning. Paul is never one to turn down a party, and this event will be an opportunity to engage with others who appreciate all he has accomplished for our region. Guests of members and the general public are welcome to attend the event, but will pay a $5 cover fee per ticket. Limit of 350 people.
DROP-IN TOURS
Tuesday, January 2nd - August 27th
12:00 PM
Come to the museum and join an informal tour of our current exhibitions with one of our docents. Tours are free with museum admission and will begin at 12:00 PM. Please meet by the front desk a few minutes before the tour begins.
Second Sunday Art Project: Mother's Day
Sunday, May 12th
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Celebrate Mother's Day with a family-friendly art project by making your own paper flowers. Join the fun for free with the price of admission!
celebrate aapi month with author curtis chin
Thursday, May 16th
5:00 - 9:00 PM
GET TICKETS
Join Traverse City's AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Committee for a free event with the goal to build greater understanding and empathy for people of different cultural backgrounds through positive engagement and welcoming learning events.
Local AAPI restaurants and chefs will provide the food. Afterwards, head to Milliken Auditorium for a screening of The Blessing and a Q+A with the director Liann Kaye. Then, head back to the museum for a reading from Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant by Michigan-born author Curtis Chin. Among many accolades, his book is included on the Most Anticipated LGBT+ Books of Fall 2023 and Michigan Notable Book of 2024. The evening will wrap up with a Q+A with Curtis Chin, and a book signing and sale.
This program is made possible with support from the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, Northern Michigan E3, Northwestern Michigan College, the Traverse City Human Rights Commission, and Oryana Community Co-op. Program partners include the Dennos Museum Center and the Traverse Area District Library.
More details and registration available here.
Hemingway in comics lecture with Robert k. Elder
Sunday, May 19th — 12:00 PM
GET TICKETS
Ernest Hemingway casts a long shadow in literature—reaching beyond his status as a giant of 20th-century fiction and a Nobel Prize winner—extending even into comic books. Appearing alongside Superman, Captain Marvel, and Cerebus, Hemingway has even battled fascists alongside Wolverine in Spain and teamed up with Mickey Mouse in Italian comics.
Robert K. Elder’s research into Hemingway’s comic presence demonstrates the truly international reach of Hemingway as a pop culture icon. In more than 120 appearances across multiple languages, Hemingway is often portrayed as the hypermasculine legend: bearded, boozed up, and ready to throw a punch. But just as often, comic book writers see past the bravado to the sensitive artist looking for validation. Hemingway’s role in these comics ranges from the divine to the ridiculous, as his image is recorded, distorted, lampooned, and whittled down to its essential parts.
As Elder notes, comic book creators and Hemingway share a natural kinship. The comic book page demands an economy of words, much like Hemingway’s less-is-more “iceberg theory,” only in graphic form. In addition, he turned out to be the perfect avatar for comic book artists wanting to tell history-rich stories, as he experienced beautiful places during the most chaotic times: Paris in the 1920s, Spain during the Spanish Civil War, Cuba on the brink of revolution, France during World War I and during World War II just after the Allies landed in Normandy. Hemingway in Comics provides a unique lens for considering one of our most influential authors. Not only for the dedicated Hemingway fan, this book will appeal to all those with an appreciation for comics, pop culture, and the absurd.
Robert K. Elder is the curator of the exhibition Hemingway In Comics on view in the museum through May 26, 2024.
Rainbow Story Time
Saturday, June 8th
10:00 - 11:00 AM
Join us before the NMC Pride Carnival for a family-friendly storytime focused on love for oneself and others. Held in partnership with Wild & Wonder TC and Mindful & Musical. Then, enjoy the carnival on NMC’s main campus and visit the Dennos table for an outdoor activity. This event is free, but regular admission rates will apply during the museum’s regular open hours from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Second Sunday Art Project: Give Your Old Clothes A Second Life
Sunday, June 9th
1:00 - 3:00 PM
GET TICKETS
Breathe new life into your used shirts or cotton sweaters with the help of relief printmaking!
In this workshop, artist Jamie John will demonstrate how they print their designs on second-hand garments using soft rubber blocks and fabric ink. You’ll be guided through the process of designing and carving your own print(s), offered tips and tricks for printing with fabric ink, and by the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to walk away with your own personal customized clothing!
Jamie John will be giving a demonstration from start to finish for this process, and be discussing printmaking, the fast fashion industry, and how to use our creativity to resist mass consumption.
*Please bring along a garment to print. Cotton, linen, or cotton polyester blend garments are recommended for first-time printers.
Presented by Jamie John, a multi-disciplinary Anishinaabe and Korean-American artist from Traverse City, MI. Learn more about Jamie John.
Please register in advance. Price reflects the cost of admission to the museum. Limit of 30. Recommended for grades 3 and up.
Juneteenth Free Day
Wednesday, June 19th
Free Day | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Film Screening | 3:00 PM
GET TICKETS FOR FILM
Enjoy a free day at the museum in recognition of Juneteenth, America’s second Independence Day. You might even get to see Detroit-based artist Louise Jones working on her solo exhibition in the museum’s Sculpture Court.
At 3:00 PM catch a film screening of One Person, One Vote?. The film tells the untold story of the electoral college, its slavery origins, and its impact on American politics and society then and now.
This film is free to attend, but please register in advance. Limit of 34 tickets.
Then, join NMC and Northern Michigan E3 for a block-party style celebration and educational programs at 5:00 PM on NMC’s main campus.
Summer 2024 Exhibit Opening
Friday, June 21st | 7:00 PM
GET TICKETS
Enjoy an evening with light refreshments, a bar (2 drink max), and music. Members get free admission and double discounts in the Museum Store the night of the event. Guests of members and the public are welcome to attend for a small fee. Please RSVP in advance. Limit of 300.
Our Summer Exhibitions
Louise Jones: 10,000 Flowers
Michigan Watercolor Society 77th Annual Exhibition
Hard Edges, Vibrant Colors: Op Art from the Permanent Collection
Before the opening, you may join the Michigan Watercolor Society in Milliken Auditorium at 5:30 PM for their awards ceremony for their 77th annual exhibition.
PAST PROGRAMS
Hemingway the legend and the old man and the sea
Thursday, May 2nd
5:00 - 6:30 PM
GET TICKETS
Ernest Hemingway’s life and his writings are intricately intertwined. His life sheds important insights on his novels and short stories, and they, in turn, reveal important aspects about his life. Consciously autobiographical and confessional, his writings construct code principles for life. We will explore these principles in terms of both his personal life, which was tempestuous, and his works. We will also discuss in some detail one of his greatest novels, The Old Man and the Sea, which was his last work to be published while he was still alive. There will be time for questions, discussion, and book signing. Come join us for an engaging afternoon with Robert Van Dellen, an author and retired college professor and president. Limit of 34, please register in advance. The ticket price reflects the cost of admission to the museum.
DMC Dance Party: Spring Fling Silent Disco
Thursday, April 25th
7:00 - 9:00 PM
GET TICKETS
Dive into the energy of the season at our Spring Fling Silent Disco, where the dance floor is charged with the promise of warmer days and the beats are delivered straight to your headphones. This event is suitable for all ages. Please reserve your ticket in advance.
Second Sunday Art Project: Earth Day
Sunday, April 14th
12:30 - 1:00 PM | TADL Caldecott Storytime
Before the art project, join a librarian from the Traverse Area District Library for a story time featuring Caldecott books.
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Create a nature inspired collage from recycled materials and share why Earth matters to you in the form of a haiku. Join the fun for free with the price of admission!
spring break at the museum
March 23rd - 30th | Closed Monday, March 25th & Thursday, March 28th
Visit the museum for a Spring Break adventure for the whole family. Kids are free with accompanying adults. All children under 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult.
Explore the worlds of award-winning children’s books with Young at Art: A Selection of Caldecott Book Illustrations, and dive into comics, pop culture, and myth with Hemingway In Comics. A new scavenger hunt will be available at the front desk all week. Turn it in to receive a prize.
Second Sunday Art Project: Art of A Superhero
Sunday, March 10th
12:30 - 1:00 PM | TADL Caldecott Storytime
Before the art project, join a librarian from the Traverse Area District Library for a story time featuring Caldecott books. This portion of the event is free to attend.
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Join us for a hands-on workshop with Marvel Comic illustrator Jerry DeCaire (artist for Thor, DeadPool, X-Men, etc.), and dive into the art of drawing superheroes. Limit of 40, please register online in advance. Cost reflects the price of admission to the museum.
Storypalooza for Read Across America Day - Free Day
Saturday, March 2nd
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
An all-ages celebration of stories! From graphic novels to zines, classic literature to poetry, let's read, share, and listen to stories from around the community.
Hearts for ARt
February 1st - 14th
Show some love to your favorite artwork at the museum and celebrate Hearts for Art with us!
Pick up a heart at the front desk, leave it on the floor in front of the artwork (please don't place hearts in the frames or on pedestals), and share your favorites with us online.
You can find us on Facebook, and Instagram.
We'll count up your votes at the end of each day and share the top three favorites on the 14th!
Second Sunday Art Project: Embrace the dream
Sunday, February 11th
12:30 - 1:00 PM | TADL Caldecott Storytime
Before the art project, join a librarian from the Traverse Area District Library for a story time featuring Caldecott books.
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Get inspired by the watercolor work of Caldecott honor recipient E.B. Lewis who thoughtfully illustrates narratives of the African American experience for children's books, and create your own watercolor work. Join the fun for free with the price of admission!
Winter 2024 Opening Reception
Saturday, February 3rd
3:00 - 5:00 PM
Join us for the opening of Hemingway in Comics and Young at Art: A Selection of Caldecott Book Illustrations.
Enjoy a family-friendly opening reception during the winter daylight! Free admission and double discounts in the store for museum members. Guests of members and the public are welcome to attend for a small fee. Limit of 350 people.
Second Sunday Art Project: museum Snow Day
RESCHEDULED Sunday, January 21st
1:00 - 3:00 PM
A celebration of snow in honor of Snowflake Bentley where we will observe and classify shapes of snow crystals, make paper snowflakes, and build snow sculptures in front of the museum, weather permitting. Join the fun for free with the price of admission!
Embrace the Dream Free Day
Monday, January 15th
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with us and kick-off the Embrace the Dream programming with free admission to the museum.
Wild Winter Scavenger Hunt
Wednesday - Saturday
December 27th - 30th
From December 27th - 30th explore the museum using our wild winter scavenger hunt. Complete all the tasks and earn a special reward!
Second Sunday Art Project
Sunday, December 10th
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Drop in and get creative with a family-friendly art activity led by our docents in our sculpture court.
Free with the price of admission to join in the fun!
Museum Store Sunday
Sunday, November 26th
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Join us for the annual Museum Store Sunday event and enjoy special discounts all day! Explore our curated collection of one-of-a-kind merchandise while supporting arts and culture at your local art museum. Our museum store is more than just a place to buy souvenirs; it's a treasure trove of unique finds inspired by the captivating exhibits and artworks showcased in the Dennos Museum Center. From exquisite art prints and handcrafted jewelry to beautifully designed home décor and educational books, you're sure to discover something that sparks joy and ignites your passion for creativity.
Extra special discounts are extended to all on Museum Store Sunday. As always, members, NMC Staff, and Students receive 10% off in the store year-round.
Second Sunday Art Project: weaving
Sunday, November 12th
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Drop in and get creative with a family-friendly art activity led by our docents in our sculpture court. This month’s project will be inspired by the Northland Weavers and Fiber Artist’s Guild exhibition.
Free with the price of admission to join in the fun!
holiday artist market
Friday & Saturday
November 3rd & 4th
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Dennos welcomes visitors to the 24th annual Holiday Artist Market kicking off the 2023 holiday gift shopping season. Visitors will discover a unique variety of artful gifts in a lively and festive marketplace. Admission is free to all. Special programming will be offered to enhance the experience for visitors of all ages, and the raffle will return this year to support K-12 tours to the museum!
Participating artists and details at shop.dennosmuseum.org.
Halloween for All
Saturday, October 28th
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
FREE
Join the Dennos Museum and Arts for All for a sensory-friendly Halloween event! We will have a variety of fun activities with an emphasis on sensory sensitivity and accommodations to create an inclusive environment where all are welcome!
Registration for this free event is not required, but recommended.
Spooky Silent Disco
Thursday, October 26th
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Tickets: $0 - $10
Get in the Halloween spirit, put on your best costume, and dance until you’re dead tired at this all ages hang before Halloween weekend. Parental Guidance recommended.
🎶 Groove to your pick of three music channels with headphones provided by 2Bays DJs and the sound mastery of 3 surprise DJs!
- Don your most spooktacular costumes and bring your dancing shoes because this is a night you won't forget.
- Each guest will receive a pair of wireless headphones upon entry, allowing you to choose from multiple channels of bone-chilling beats.
- Dance to your own rhythm or switch between channels to find the perfect spooky soundtrack for your moves.
🎃 Dress Code
- Costumes are strongly encouraged! From witches and werewolves to zombies and superheroes, let your imagination run wild and be part of the eerie ensemble.
📢 Please Note
- This event is suitable for all ages, but parental discretion is advised for younger attendees due to spooky decorations and costumes.
- Headphones will be provided upon entry and must be returned at the end of the event.
how do they do that? behind the scenes at the dennos
Wednesday, October 18th
10:00 - 11:00 AM
Register through Extended Education
What does it take for a museum to create polished museum exhibitions? How does a museum install large structures, take care of taxidermied polar bears, light exhibitions, and position artwork for the best visitor experience? Join Craig Hadley, Executive Director at the Dennos Museum Center, for a guided tour that is guaranteed to leave you thinking about museums in an entirely new way! Bring your questions and some comfortable walking shoes.
An Evening with Stephen Duren
Wednesday, October 11th
5:00 - 6:30 PM
Tickets $0-$5
Join renowned artist Stephen Duren as he takes you on an immersive journey through six decades of his remarkable career. Through a captivating slide presentation, Duren will share insights into his artistic evolution, from the luminous landscapes of Northern California that ignited his passion to dynamic interplay between realism and abstraction in his works. Discover how his deep connection to nature has shaped his artistic approach. A reception and meet and greet with the artist will follow his lecture.
indigenous peoples' day - Free Day
Monday, October 9th
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Film Screening | 4:00 PM
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with the Dennos Museum, Traverse Area District Library, and WCMU with stories, dancing, a film screening and indigenous foods. The Dennos will be hosting storytime, picture book giveaways, and crafts followed by a preview of the brand new PBS series, The American Buffalo, a biography of an improbable, shaggy beast that has found itself at the center of many of the country’s most mythic and heartbreaking tales.
The series takes viewers on a journey through more than 10,000 years of North American history and across some of the continent’s most iconic landscapes, tracing its evolution, significance to the Great Plains and, most importantly, its relationship to the Indigenous People of North America.
In partnership with WCMU, we are thrilled to welcome Chef Sam Anglin, a Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Member, to the Dennos for the event. Following the screening, Chef Sam will provide remarks and an introduction to the indigenous food he is preparing for the reception.
a separate shining tour
Sunday, October 8th
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Tickets: $0 - $10
Maggie Pavao, Assistant Director of the Tusen Takk Foundation will lead an in-depth tour of A Separate Shining: Selections from the Tusen Takk Foundation Collection.
Due to the size of the gallery, this event is limited to 20 people. Please limit groups to 4 people.
Second Sunday Art Project: Zine-Making workshop with Jamie John
Sunday, October 8th
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Regular Admission
Zines (pronounced like ZEEN) are small circulation self published works of texts and images made to be distributed via copy machine. Creating zines is a fun and easy way to express oneself, share skills or opinions, and share one’s art. Whether it’s your first time making a zine or you’re a seasoned zinester, come spend the day at the Dennos Museum to create and trade your very own zine works. Presented by Jamie John, a multi-disciplinary Anishinaabe and Korean-American artist from Traverse City, MI. Learn more about Jamie John.
Recommended for grade 3 and up.
Please register in advance. Cost reflects the price of admission to the museum.
rainbow storytime
Saturday, September 30th
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
This free community event is rooted in celebrating love for self, others and being who you are. The event features music, a read aloud, and an art project. Held in partnership with Up North Pride.
the art of: Ron gianola
Thursday, September 28th
2:00 - 4:00 PM
Tickets: $0 - $10 |
Join exhibiting artist Ron Gianola for a lively and inspiring conversation about the evolution of his art.
Limit of 40 people, please limit groups to 4 people.
IPR'S KIDS COMMUTE LIVE!
WITH SPECIAL GUEST SIX MILE STRINGS
Saturday, September 23rd
Pre-concert Activities | 10:00 - 10:45 AM
Six Mile Strings Performance | 11:00 - 11:50 AM
FREE
Join Interlochen Public Radio for Kids Commute Live! in the Dennos Sculpture Court. Classical IPR host Kate Botello will lead this rhythm-themed matinee featuring Six Mile Strings.
Pre-concert activities will feature a Percussion Petting Zoo in the Dutmers Theatre, a rhythm themed art activity in the Discovery Gallery, and a guided experience with the Sound Wall. A to-go snack will be available for attendees following the performance.
Collider Physics Multiverse from the Tevatron to the LHC and Beyond
Sunday, September 24th
Planetarium Showings | 11:15 AM - 2:15 PM
Lecture with Professor Harrison Prosper, Florida State University | 3:00 PM
Explore the state of particle physics through a planetarium show about dark matter followed by a presentation by Professor Harrison Prosper on the knowledge we have gained at the particle energy frontier, from the successful program at the Tevatron at Fermilab near Chicago to the LHC at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, and future colliders under consideration.
Planetarium shows run at 11:15 AM, 12:00 PM, 12:45 PM, 1:30 PM, and 2:15 PM. Limit of 25 people per planetarium show. Please register in
ABOUT HARRISON PROSPER
Harrison Prosper is the Kirby W. Kemper Endowed Professor from the Department of Physics, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. While Prosper teaches undergraduate- and graduate-level physics, much of his joy stems from his role in experimental particle physics discoveries. He earned his doctoral degree in experimental physics from the University of Manchester in 1980 and was elected as a Fellow of the American Physical Society in 2002 and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2014.
Learn more about Harrison Prosper.
dmc dance party: pride edition
Thursday, September 21st
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Tickets: $0 - $5
We are welcoming Hawk Owls back to campus with a joyful celebration of pride. Dance, enjoy snacks, and view art at this 18+ friendly event. Members, NMC Employees, and the public are welcome to attend. Enjoy 0 proof cocktails from Audacia Elixirs. One drink ticket provided with your reservation. Additional drink tickets available for $10 per drink at the bar.
Fall 2023 opening reception
Thursday, September 14th
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Tickets: $0 - $5
Join us for the opening of Stephen Duren: A Life of Painting, Passages: The Art of Ron Gianola, and A Separate Shining: Selections from the Tuesen Takk Foundation Collection on Thursday, September 14th at 7:00 PM.
Enjoy an evening with light refreshments, open bar (two drink limit), and music. Members can enjoy double discounts in the Museum Store the night of the event. Guests of members and the public are welcome to attend the event, but will pay a $5 cover fee per ticket. Limit of 350 people.
second Sunday art project: Map-Making with artist Jerry Gretzinger
Sunday, September 10th
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Join us for a collaborative mapping workshop with artist Jerry Gretzinger. Together we will explore lines, shapes, colors, land rivers, habitats and a plethora of art materials to create an imaginative map.
Free with the price of admission to join in the fun!
car trivia at the museum
Thursday, August 31st
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Rev up your engines and join us for a thrilling evening of car-themed trivia at the Dennos Museum Center as part of the mesmerizing Luster exhibition, showcasing awe-inspiring hyperrealistic paintings of cars and motorcycles. Calling all automotive aficionados and NMC students – test your knowledge, win prizes, and enjoy pizza and lemonade provided by DMC!
The evening will consist of three rounds of car-related trivia questions followed by a scavenger hunt round through the museum. Teams can have 1-8 people. Limit of 50 people.
Tour Tuesdays
Tuesday, June 20th - Tuesday, August 29th
11:30 AM & 12:30 PM
Come to the museum and join an informal tour of our current exhibitions with one of our docents. Tours are free with museum admission and will begin at 11:30 AM & 12:30 PM. Please meet by the front desk a few minutes before the tour begins.
second Sunday art project: landscapes
Sunday, August 13th
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Drop in and get creative with a family-friendly art activity led by our docents in our sculpture court. This month’s activity will be inspired by the exhibition A New Perspective: Landscapes from the Dennos Museum Center. Free with the price of admission to join in the fun!
the art of: Jerry gretzinger
Thursday, July 20th — 5:00 PM
Register Online | Free Admission
Join our Director, Craig Hadley and featured artist Jerry Gretzinger in the sculpture court for a lively and inspiring conversation about Jerry’s decades-long map project. Get the inside scoop on how the artwork started, evolved, and how it lives on today.
second Sunday art project: cars
Sunday, July 9th
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Drop in and get creative with a family-friendly art activity led by our docents in our sculpture court. This month’s activity will be inspired by the exhibition Luster: Realism and Hyperrealism in Contemporary Automobile and Motorcycle Painting. Free with the price of admission to join in the fun!