On September 27, Family Programs welcomed more than 1,000 participants to a special Jeff Koons Family Day. On each floor of the exhibition Jeff Koons: A Retrospective, families explored the artist’s work through observation, discussion, and gallery-based activities.

Among the activities offered for Family Day, kids and parents were invited to participate in a game of charades led by teens in the Whitney’s Youth Insights program, watch a demonstration of how balloon animals are made, match words with works of art, and touch samples of the materials Jeff Koons used to make his sculptures.

A highlight of the day was the appearance of the artist, who joined families in the Sculpture Court at a Fantastic Photos! station. Koons shook hands with parents, talked with the kids, and then posed with them near his sculpture, Popeye, (2009-12). The photographs were printed on the spot and given to families to take with them.

Families said how exciting it was to meet the artist and have their photographs taken with him. Others appreciated the early hours set aside especially for them before the Museum opened to the public; and some parents commented that the activities were smart and sophisticated, engaging kids on an unusually in-depth level.

Huge congratulations to Family Programs staff for organizing this final spectacular family day prior to our move downtown and the opening of the Whitney’s new building in the Meatpacking District.

By Dina Helal, Manager of Education Resources