What’s New This Month

Black History Month

Join us as we celebrate Black History Month, an annual celebration of the achievements of African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Having a special designated time to celebrate Black History in America was the idea of historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans.  Since 1976, the U.S. has designated the month of February as Black History Month and we will celebrate at LCM again this year throughout the month and throughout the Museum.

Visit our Make Your Mark Gallery to see our Wall of Fame, which features influential Black Mark Makers in Arts & Culture from Louisiana, including Irma Thomas, who is also prominently featured in our Jammin’ House and Terrance Osborne, the designer of the Shotgun House in our Make Your Mark Gallery. We feature many other talents who have made their marks on our city, our state, and all over the world. 

Thursdays Throughout February at 1:00 p.m.: Reading of Mr. Okra Sells Fruits and Vegetables 

“I have oranges and bananas. I have broccoli.” That’s the call of Mr. Okra, the beloved New Orleans vegetable and fruit vendor who sold while singing from his truck. We will read Mr. Okra Sells Fruits and Vegetables by Lashon Daley from our very own replica of Mr. Okra’s truck in our Follow That Food Gallery.

February 5–25: Adinkra Symbol Exploration in Studio in the Park

Have you heard of the word “Sankofa” or seen the symbol that represents it? Sankofa is a word from the Twi language of Ghana, Africa, connected to a proverb that teaches the importance of learning from the past. Do you know how this symbol and its meaning connect to the culture of New Orleans? 

Visit Studio in the Park as we continue to explore the nature of shapes and symbolism in the world around us and how communicating through art and symbols connects us all. Guests will engage in the process art of stamping on paper and fabric while learning about the Adinkra symbols that originated in Ghana, were preserved by the enslaved West Africans who were brought to this country long ago and continue in the culture today.

These symbols represent concepts from Ghanaian proverbs, such as justice, hope, and unity, and serve as a form of symbolic communication through imagery and culture. 

In connection with the local architectural landscape, you’ll discover how these symbols are present all around us in New Orleans’ built environment, and how they offer insights into the past, revealing who shaped our city and the messages they hoped to convey to future generations. 

Thursday, February 20 at 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Sensory-Friendly Playtime               

At LCM, we are committed to building stronger, more connected communities through active engagement. We welcome all families and children of all backgrounds and circumstances. We offer a playtime for families that provides a low-sensory experience where children with sensory-specific needs can explore the Museum without the noise, crowds, and stimulation of typical open hours. We limit the number of families who can attend, turn down sounds and lights, and provide adaptive equipment such as noise-reducing headphones and weighted vests. When available, specialists will be on hand to help facilitate activities and provide resources. If you would like to participate in this event, please register here.  

Friday, February 21, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Food Science Friday  

Join us in Follow That Food for fun kitchen experiments. These projects will teach you concepts in various learning areas like science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and art. Guests will get to engage with food in an all-new way.

Saturday, February 22 at 1:30 p.m.: “Ancestral Artistry” and the history of Adinkra in New Orleans Architecture

Join us for a very special presentation featuring Darryl A. Reeves, Master Blacksmith, and Jonn E. Hankins, Founder of New Orleans Master Crafts Guild who will deepen our understanding of the history and use of Adinkra symbols in Creole architectural craft, share more about craftspeople themselves, and the ongoing traditions of their work. 

Their presentation will showcase a short segment from the documentary Ancestral Artistry: The Influence of Africans & Creoles of Color on Louisiana Architecture, produced by the Louisiana Architecture Foundation, a dialogue on the subject, as well a display of examples and artifacts. They share a mission to pass the knowledge and tradition of these distinctive arts to the next generations, and to keep alive the stories of this important culture of craftspeople. Come learn from these special Culture Bearers and celebrate our unique city.

Saturday, February 22, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: FREE Creating Healthy Communities at LCM Wellness Workshop  

Registration is required for this FREE interactive workshop that invites kids to explore creative green infrastructure and landscape design solutions for the museum’s entrance. This interactive workshop invites kids to explore creative green infrastructure and landscape design solutions. Through a fun and collaborative collage activity, participants will learn about sustainable design principles and share their unique ideas for improving the space.  

Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23: Mardi Gras Masquerade Party

It’s Carnival Season! Join us at our Mardi Gras Maker Station outside of Studio in the Park to design your own fancy Mardi Gras mask. Guests will be invited to showcase these masterpieces at at our Mardi Gras Masquerade (Wiggle Party) on Saturday Feb 22 at 2:30 p.m. and again on Sunday, Feb 23 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 27, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. via Zoom: Sensory Friendly Caregiver Peer Support Group

Parents and caregivers of children with sensory needs are invited to join our peer support that will take place the fourth Thursday of each month via Zoom.  Please contact dcampo@lcm.org with questions and for Zoom link.

March Playtime

March is Women’s History Month  

We will have special story times in which we read books that describe the accomplishments of women in our community and beyond. We will also read some that celebrate girl power! Visit our library in our Make Your Mark Gallery for our engaging selection.

March & April Spring Artist in Residence

Emma Raynor (she/her) is a printmaker, photographer and ceramic artist based in New Orleans with over 14 years of experience as an early childhood educator. As LCM’s Spring 2025 Artist in Residence, Emma will invite children to dive into the awe-inspiring natural world of City Park with a hands-on printmaking project. Families will explore the outdoors, gathering natural treasures from the park or the museum grounds, and Emma will guide them through a creative journey using a variety of exciting printmaking techniques, including cyanotypes, ink prints, and prints in clay. Together, they will explore and celebrate the beauty of City Park through art.

Spring Season Nature Observation Table  – Studio in the Park (2nd week of March – April)

Visit our Studio in the Park as we bring the outdoors inside to our Nature Observation table! The Spring Equinox (the official start to the season) falls this year on March 20th, so join us as we look for signs of spring in the natural world around us and in our cultural traditions. Take some time to record observations of live plants and springtime elements in our Studio Journals and try your hand at painting botanical artwork with watercolor pencils.

Thursday, March 6 & 20, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Sensory-Friendly Playtime

At LCM, we are committed to building stronger, more connected communities through active engagement. We welcome all families and children of all backgrounds and circumstances. We offer a playtime for families that provides a low-sensory experience where children with sensory-specific needs can explore the Museum without the noise, crowds, and stimulation of typical open hours. We limit the number of families who can attend, turn down sounds and lights, and provide adaptive equipment such as noise-reducing headphones and weighted vests. When available, specialists will be on hand to help facilitate activities and provide resources. To participate in this event, please register.

Saturday, March 8 at 2:30 p.m.: Acorn Food Demonstration:  Spring Rolls in the Garden

Saturday, March 15 at 2:00 p.m.: “A Tale of Two Boots” Italy to Louisiana: Southern Italian Folk Music Exploration

March is a special month in New Orleans where we celebrate the important contributions of the Irish and the Italian people who immigrated to our region and contributed to our rich culture and traditions. You may have been to a St. Patrick’s Day or Irish-Italian Parade and caught cabbages from the floats passing by or visited a St. Joseph’s Altar for a fig cookie and a lucky bean.

Join us in making connections between Italy and Louisiana with “A Tale of Two Boots: An Exploration of Southern Italian Folk Music.” Enjoy listening to the songs, learning about the instruments, and trying your hand at some traditional rhythms of the tamburello. A display table of cultural connections will be shared. Come get a lucky fava bean and celebrate spring in the way of the Creole-Italians!

Sunday March 16: Unplugging presentation with Author Britt Gondolfi

Join us for a reading and music gathering with the author of Look Up as an extension of the World Day of Unplugging.

Wednesday, March 19 at 11:30 a.m.: Backyard Fun!

March 19th is National Backyard Day. What better way to celebrate than by exploring our own gigantic backyard? Play a tune on our steel drums in the music hummock, plant and play in our garden, stroll through our cloud grasses, use our view finder to spot egrets, turtles, and other lagoon wildlife, “cook” some stone soup in our Toddler Landscape. There’s so much to explore!

Wednesday, March 19, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Big Backyard Outdoor Education Workshop

To continue celebrating National Backyard Day, we will be hosting a fun and interactive workshop for children and caregivers. Join us from 4:30-5:30pm for backyard exploration in our beautiful outdoor space. Parents can participate in an incredible discussion about the importance of time outdoors and ways to engage and encourage children to play outside. The event will be free for members and $5 for non-members.

Sunday, March 23 at 2:00 p.m.: Spring Fling Wiggle Party Sunday, 

We will celebrate the arrival of spring with dancing, playing instruments, and chasing bubbles at our Spring Fling Wiggle Party. Let’s dance around like pollinators, sway like a willow in the breeze, or hop around like grasshoppers. We want to see your best spring moves! 

 Friday, March 7 & 21 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Food Science Friday

Join us in Follow That Food for fun kitchen experiments.  These projects will teach you concepts in various learning areas like science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and art. Guests will get to engage with food in an all-new way.

March 20,  5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: Sensory Friendly Caregiver Peer Support Group

Parents and caregivers of children with sensory needs are invited to join our in-person peer support that will take place in person this month during Sensory Friendly Playtime.  Please contact dcampo@lcm.org with questions.  Registration required.