In an all new Treasures from Grandmother Africa, Diane Macklin sweeps us up with stories new and old from the knees of African and African American grandmamas… then audiences head into the galleries to find the hidden stories in treasures from the hearth and home of the African Diaspora.

A Closer Look - About the Program:

This “Meet the Museum” program creates a focus for your children’s visit to one of the Smithsonian’s smallest and loveliest museums. Diane Macklin will tell stories based on hearth and home, with an emphasis on the stories Grandmother might tell. Then children are invited to look for stories in the African art and artifact of house and home, assisted by the Museum’s excellent family guides. The whole experience is designed to take around an hour: extend your visit with more objects, artworks and galleries.

See NMAfA online activities for kids at http://africa.si.edu/exhibits/multimedia.html

About Diane Macklin:

Diane Macklin is a professional storyteller, actress, and educator who uses storytelling as a way to break down cultural barriers and unite people of all backgrounds. She tells original stories and folk tales from Africa, the Americas, and other parts of the globe. The stories Diane tells are centered around hope, peace, justice, and wisdom. She focuses on character-building through the arts. Her motto is "Making a difference, one story at a time."

Diane’s silky-smooth "dancing hands” mixed with her dramatic presence enchant audiences, both young and old. She invites listeners into her stories by encouraging participation and igniting the imagination. Her background in education, multiple intelligences, diversity, and conflict resolution are infused into all performances, workshops, and residencies. Diane has earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Vassar College and a Master of Arts in Teaching Middle School English (Grades 5–9) from Simmons College.

Diane has appeared on National Public Radio and Washington Storytellers Theatre Speak Easy. She also works with various organizations committed to arts and education: Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning, Imagination Stage, and Interact Story Theatre.

About the Meet the Museum Series:

Look for other Meet the Museum partnerships offered in Smithsonian museums on and off the mall. These programs are specially designed by Discovery Theater and the education departments of the nation’s top museums to engage young people during their visits to the Smithsonian and foster scholarship (and fun!) Each program introduces themes and topics in a 20-30 minute Discovery Theater performance in a theater or space within a museum. The main event is the gallery visit to see objects, artifacts, or artwork on that theme; all in a one hour format (more time in the galleries is always an option). We have planned a very special day for you and your children: plan to attend them all!