All are invited to this day-long celebration of “Diwali: Festival of Lights”

On Saturday, November 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Worcester Art Museum opens its doors to old and new friends, neighbors, and families for a festive day that commemorates the triumph of light over darkness.

“Diwali: Festival of Lights” is the theme of this year’s popular Fall Community Day. Diwali is India’s most celebrated national holiday, a colorful and joyous time when family, food, beautiful adornments, and displays of light all herald the embrace of knowledge over ignorance, of light over darkness. Diwali is always celebrated in late fall in honor of the light that perseveres.

The daylong community event is held in partnership with the India Society of Worcester. And, like the national celebrations in India, WAM’s Diwali Community Day will be filled with fun, special treats, and performances, including: 

10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. â€”“Indian Dress Try-on”:  WAM offers a close-up view of the luminance and color of India’s traditional garment for women. All are invited to examine actual pieces, learn how they are worn. 

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. â€” “Henna Art”:  See how a henna (Mehndi) artist works and receive a henna tattoo of your own. 

10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. â€” “Family Art Making”:  Hands-on art activities, including paper lanterns, Mandala coloring, paper Diyas, and paper sparklers. 

10am to 5pm â€“ “Helmutt’s Creater Feature”:  Try one of WAM’s new scavenger hunts throughout the Museum and return for a prize! 

11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. â€” “Diwali Music and Dance Performances”:  The India Society of Worcester presents traditional, modern, and contemporary Indian performances in the Museum’s grand Renaissance Court.  Visit the Museum’s website for full schedule. 

“Gallery Tours”:

10:30 am â€“ Family Tour

12 noon—Zip Tour:  WAM’s sculpture of Ganesha (Gift of Mr. Alexander H. Bullock, Worcester, MA, 1949.56) in the Indian Gallery

2pm â€“ Curator of Asian Art Vivian Li leads a tour of the Indian Gallery 

All day — Food provided by the Bollywood Grill, decorations and activities.  (Please note the Museum Café will not be open on this day due to the Community Day activities.) 

Diwali Community Day is scheduled on November 5, which coincides with WAM’s Free First Saturday*, on which Museum admission is free from 10 a.m. to noon. After 12pm, the event is free with regular Museum admission.  A flyer with a coupon for free admission for one person can be downloaded from the Museum’s website — http://www.worcesterart.org.  Museum parking is free, but limited.  For directions and a map of additional parking around the Museum, visit:  http://www.worcesterart.org/information/directions/ .

*Free First Saturday Mornings is supported in part by a grant from the TJX Foundation.

About the Worcester Art Museum

Founded in 1896, the Worcester Art Museum's encyclopedic 37,500-piece collection covers 51 centuries of art. Highlights include the Medieval Chapter House, Renaissance Court and Worcester Hunt Mosaic, as well as the recently integrated John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection of arms and armor. The Museum is internationally known for its collection of European and American art. It was the first in America to acquire paintings by Monet and Gauguin and one of the first to collect photography. As the first U.S. museum to focus on collaborating with local schools, it has been at the forefront of engaging audiences and giving them a meaningful and personal experience.

The Worcester Art Museum, located at 55 Salisbury St. in Worcester, MA, is open Wednesday through Friday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and every third Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $14 for adults, $6 for children 4-17, $12 for seniors 65+, and $12 for college students with ID. Members and children under four are free. Parking is free. For more information, visit worcesterart.org.