March break events for kids and adults at this popular museum serving Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon

Parents who want to keep their kids entertained and out of the house this March break will find tons of options at the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA) in downtown Brampton.

Every single day of March break, PAMA is hosting fun family-friendly events that will help participants explore their creative side and learn more about the world around them, as well as a number of adult-focused events and workshops.

Some very special guests will be visiting the museum, including entertaining performers, scientific experts, and talented artists who will show you how to create dazzling pieces of art just like they do.

Residents are encouraged to register soon and show up early to these events, as space will be limited.

Here’s what’s happening on each day:

Saturday, March 9

• Cartoon Design Workshop with Sean L. Moore (1 pm – 2:30 pm)

Have you ever wondered how characters are created for television or film animation? Learn how it’s done with professional character designer Sean L. Moore, while also learning some fun ways to create and design your very own cartoon characters. Moore has worked as a character designer for popular animated TV shows for over 25 years, and has also written and illustrated over 20 picture books and short stories.

Monday, March 11

• Family Studio Time: Space Art (10 am – 3 pm)

From aliens to planets and more, drop in to create your very own space-themed art.

• Special Guest: Lexy the Rap Dad (11 am – 12 pm and 1 pm – 2 pm)
  Children of all ages can enjoy an exciting storytelling and musical experience with Lexy the Rap Dad, who will rap about outer space, robots, dinosaurs and more. Lexy is a children’s author known for creating Friendly Fables, a collection of 14 stories and Rap-A-Long songs.

Tuesday, March 12

• Family Studio Time: STEAM Art (10 am – 3 pm)

Get creative with an art project related to the vast fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.

• Special Guest: Challenge Island Workshop (11 am – 12 pm and 1 pm – 2 pm)

Explore the starry sky with Challenge Island and learn about the stars above and the constellations they make. Participants can take home their very own star wheel to help guide them through the stars.

Wednesday, March 13

• Family Studio Time: Bubble Art (10 am – 3 pm)

Learn all about World Water Day with Public Works and celebrate by creating your own bubble themed artwork.

• Special Guest: Bubbleology (11 am – 11:45 am and 1 pm – 1:45 pm)

Experience the wonders of bubbles with Miss T the Bubble Queen, including a bubble cube, a tornado in a bubble, a person inside an actual bubble, and more. Miss T has been a bubbleologist for over 20 years and has been featured on YTV, Treehouse TV, Canada’s Got Talent, CBC Kids, TVO Kids, and The Wiggles.

Thursday, March 14

• Family Studio Time: Twinkly Stars (10 am – 3 pm)

Create your own beautiful artwork of bright, twinkling stars.

• Lending a Canad(arm) to Space with Glenn McFarlane (1 – 1:45 pm)

Glenn McFarlane will be at PAMA to share exciting discoveries from his 35-year career in aerospace, during which he worked on the Canadarm and International Space Station programs. Originally from New Brunswick, Glenn has lived in Brampton for the past 30 years and is also a versatile musician, award-winning songwriter, and co-founder of the Brampton Folk Club.

• Special Guest: Astronomy in Action Planetarium (various times)

In this immersive and interactive experience, a professional astronomer takes guests on a journey across the universe. Participants can explore the night sky, learn about planets and fly around the galaxy via a 4K digital projection system and an inflatable Artemis dome.

Friday, March 15

• Family Studio Time: Toy Making (10 am – 3 pm)

Make your own Japanese-inspired toys and learn about Japanese-Canadian history with a pop-up Mini Museum from the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.

• Special Guest: Family Floetry Fitness with Shakkoi (11 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

Guests can immerse themselves in the rhythm of Afro-Caribbean beats – Soca, Amapiano, Reggae, Afro beats, and more – as they groove through beginner to moderate dance/fitness exercises. Shakkoi is an experienced art practitioner, three-time author, spoken word activist, and movement instructor who’s been featured on Global News and Breakfast Television.

Saturday, March 16

• Corn Husk Doll Workshop (10 am – 11:45 am)

Craft your own Corn Husk Doll with Indigenous facilitators who will share teachings on the importance of respecting difference, avoiding judgement, and showing love for ourselves and our neighbours. Following this workshop, parents and caregivers can join a sharing circle & lunch and discuss opportunities to encourage children to learn about Peel’s diverse cultures.

PAMA is also organizing several adult-focused events and workshops in March:

• Connections Art and Book Club in partnership with Brampton Library (Thursday, March 7 at 7 pm to 8:30 pm)

Join a discussion of the book Forgiveness by Mark Sakamoto. Forgiveness, the 2018 Canada Reads winner, tells the story of the Japanese-Canadian experience post-Pearl Harbor. The book discussion will be paired with a tour of The Suitcase Project exhibition on now at PAMA.

• Music Night Featuring Brampton Folk Club (Thursday, March 14 at 7 pm – 8:30 pm)

Enjoy live music from local Brampton artists. This month’s feature is all about “Between the Clouds and the Stars” featuring Paul and Judy Caulfield, Carlos Medina and The Glenn McFarlane Trio, with songs and stories related to aerospace.

Located in Brampton’s downtown core at 9 Wellington St E, PAMA is the city’s premier gallery and historical archive and continues to host an array of fun workshops, exhibitions and programs all year.

Learn more about all upcoming events at PAMA’s website, and follow PAMA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.