In collaboration with Explore! Children’s Museum of Washington, DC, The National Portrait gallery is opening its first-ever space for children on January 28th. Explore! with the Portrait Gallery invites kids to experiment with the idea of portraiture, answering questions about how they see themselves in the world and how others may see them. Kids can participate in interactive activities, such as tracing silhouettes, posing for the projected video art piece, and learning about expression and emotion with illustrated blocks. This new exhibit is both an educational experience and a fun way to explore the concept of self-identity at a young age.

The exhibit is intended for children ages 18 months to 8 years old accompanied by an adult. The activities are designed for children and adults to experience together, so adults must stay with their children. Explore! with the Portrait Gallery will be open Tuesday to Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be located on the first floor of the museum.

color pencils and brushes on table

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Olga Filonenko