It’s a downtown Christmas with TRAHC and TMS activities
If you want to celebrate Christmas in the city, downtown is where it’s at.
Both the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council and Texarkana Museums System have several activities that celebrate the winter holiday season with nods to arts and culture.
TRAHC hosts two workshops and several days of art camps. First is the free Christmas Drop-in Art Workshop on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Regional Arts Center. Parents and kids can attend together and make artsy holiday mementos during this come-and-go event. It’s all-ages friendly but specifically geared to kids 4 to 12 years old. You don’t have to sign up in
advance; instead, just stop by when you want to.
Later this next week on Thursday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the RAC, attend the Holiday Keepsake Journal Workshop presented by Agnes Tirrito. Tirrito will teach people how they can make a keepsake journal in which to store various holiday memorabilia like cards and photographs. A $35 workshop fee includes all the supplies. Register in advance for this one because space is limited; it’s meant for folks 18 and up.
Then, between Dec. 27-29 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., TRAHC’s Arts on Main hosts Winter Art Camps. Youngsters who love the arts can create their own artistic project. The camp, meant for ages 5 to 12, costs $65. There are two times, depending on the age of the children: students 8 to 12 attend between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m., while students 5 to 7 can attend between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Young artists can draw, paint and sculpt during the afternoon sessions as they learn about various art and design aspects. Megan Griffin and Lindsay Foster serve as camp instructors. Register by calling Amy Donohoe, TRAHC’s visual arts and community programs director, at 903-7928681.
On Christmas Eve Eve, Dec. 23, the P.J. Ahern Home hosts a Saturday afternoon of Christmas stories read aloud. Classic Christmas stories will be shared from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Readings include O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi,” Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory,” Aaron Sheppard’s “The Christmas Truce” and the traditional holiday tale “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Readings take place in rooms like the parlor, music room and library.
As you listen to stories, sip cider punch and eat cookies. Kids younger than 12 will receive a treat: a small Christmas stocking stuffed with goodies.
Call the Texarkana Museums System at 903-793-4831 for more information. Admission is $5 per person or $20 for the family if there’s five or more. Buy tickets at the P.J. Ahern Home Facebook page or at Eventbrite.com.
The TMS’ Discovery Place also hosts two Boredom Buster programs. On Saturday, Jack Frost will read stories to kids starting at 2 p.m.
In addition, youngsters can enjoy milk and cookies, photo booth pictures, Christmas music and cookie cutters created in the museum’s Tinkering Studio. Admission is $5 for adults, $10 or kids, free for kids 3 and under with a $5 discount for TMS members.
Then, on Saturday, Dec. 16 (1 p.m.), get crafty with Santa ornaments made from felt and Olaf door hangers. Admission is $5, or free for members and kids 3 and under.