Don't let the stress of the work week follow you into the weekend. That may seem easier said than done, but at Newfields, it's a walk in the park. 

Each session will start with a short wellness exercise followed by a 30-60-minute walk, depending on the weather and available daylight.  

Meet in The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park under Align at 4:30 PM. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes. This is a rain, shine, or snow event. In cases of heavy rain, thunderstorms, or extreme low temperatures, the event will be cancelled, and you will receive notice via email at the email you used to register.  This webpage will also note if a Wellness Walk in the Park has been cancelled.  

Celebrate Juneteenth at Newfields with free General Admission. Artist and guest curator Angelita Hampton will lead art making and wellness exercises. Starting at noon, head out to The Garden to hear hits by a DJ and stop by The Beer Garden where there will be light bites and refreshing beverages, such as root beer floats, available for purchase. 

Stop by Waller Gallery on Floor 1 to see the fourth installation of The Truth of Freedom. This year’s exhibition, titled Resilience Redefined, centers on the transformative power of creativity as a tool for healing and social change. Artists from the exhibition will lead a panel discussion at 3 PM in DeBoest Lecture Hall.

SCHEDULE 

10–11 AM | Yoga in The Garden | Lilly Allée 
Noon–2 PM | Art Making with Angelita Hampton and Charlotte Brown | Pulliam Family Great Hall  
3–4 PM | The Truth of Freedom Artist Panel Discussion | DeBoest Lecture Hall 
4–5 PM | Sound Bath | Lilly Allée 

Experience all that Newfields has to offer on the first Thursday of every month. Members and public get free General Admission to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and The Garden, live musical performances, and open studio hours and gallery conversations. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime Member, Free First Thursdays presented by Bank of America are the perfect opportunity to discover something new and have an exceptional experience with art and nature.

Schedule

10:30 AM–12:30 PM | Garden Exploration Cart | The Garden  

11:30 AM | Artful Conversations | Meet at the LOVE sculpture | Floor 2 

11:30AM–3:30PM | Art making with Angelita Hampton | 2nd Floor Welcome Center | Floor  2

1–1:30 PM | Docent-led Tour | Meet at the top of the escalator in Efroymson Entrance Pavilion | Floor 2  

1 PM–1:30 PM | Nature Story Time | Stout Reference Library | Floor 1  

1:30 PM | Artful Conversations | Meet at the LOVE sculpture | Floor 2 

1–3 PM | Allison Victoria Performance | Garden Terrace 

2–2:30 PM | Lilly House Tour | Meet just inside the entrance to the Lilly House 

2 PM–4 PM | Garden Exploration Cart | The Garden 

1–4 PM | Stout Reference Library open | Floor 1 

3 PM | The Garden Tour | The Garden Entry Pavilion 

6–8PM | Truth of Freedom Celebration | Waller Gallery 

Join us for an adventure with art and nature. Participants and their grown-ups will sing songs, read a story, and make art while exploring the IMA Galleries or The Garden at Newfields.  
 

This fun-filled experience is specially designed for children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers; younger siblings are welcome. One adult is included per child. There will be activities and spaces to explore each week. Additional adults are welcome with a General Admission ticket. When the season and weather allows, Wee Wonders will be held outside. If the weather is crumby or cold, we will be inside the Indianapolis Museum of Art. 

Not ready for your art adventure to end? Tickets include General Admission so you can continue exploring after Wee Wonders. If you have questions, please email WeeWonders@discovernewfields.org

Themes

June | Clouds  

Slow down and watch the clouds. Get inspiration from The Garden, then use your imagination to write a story and build your own cloud.  

July | Shapes 

Look all around and see what shapes can be found. Explore shapes in The Garden through feeling objects, singing a song, reading a book, and making an artwork of your very own.  

August | Fruits and Veggies 

Did you know you can find both fruits and veggies in The Garden? They are tasty, beautiful to look at, and they can even be used in art. We’ll discover all the ways we can enjoy fruits and veggies through exploration, reading a story, and making art.  

September | Construction 

Learn how commotion and creation can come together to make something amazing. Participants will safely explore the art of construction in The Garden through art making, story time, exploration, and singing songs about what construction can look like. 

October | Harvest  

Explore fun traditions and creative activities themed around harvest. We’ll discover all things autumn through story time, art projects, hands on exploration, and songs. 

November | People 

Parents, grandparents, teachers, friends, and more. Share what makes the people in our lives so great. We’ll sing songs, read stories, make crafts, and explore artworks that highlight the greatness of the people in our lives. 

December | Night 

Nothing to fear here. Exploring the wonders of the night can make it less scary. Through artwork, crafts, songs, and books, you’ll see the beauty of the nocturnal world. 

Recharge your spirit through creativity, nature, and community. In this program designed for adults, spend 30 minutes immersed in a guided art activity, followed by a refreshing 30-minute walk through The Garden at Newfields. Experience the health and wellness benefits of artistic expression, gentle exercise, and the beauty of nature—all designed to inspire and rejuvenate. Nurture your creativity and embrace a healthier, more balanced you. 

Creativity knows no age limit. Seniors, discover the joy of art with like-minded peers in this guided art making in The Studios at Newfields. Each class is led by a teaching artist and corresponds with an exhibition that is on view in the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. Join us for just one class or come to many. Mediums and art activities change regularly. 

THEMES

June 10: Resplendent Dreams: Reawakening the Rococo 

July 8: Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas from the Smithsonian American Art Museum 

August 12: TBD

September 9: Watercolor Society

October 14: TBD

November 11: Contemporary Painting

December 9: Maximum Color, Minimum Form: The Panels of Ellsworth Kelly

Join us for a professional development session specifically designed for teachers to explore the techniques and challenges of preserving artworks. Participants will get a deeper understanding of conservation practices and how they contribute to the longevity and integrity of pieces in the Indianapolis Museum of Art collection. This session will include hands-on activities, discussions with conservation experts, and a behind-the-scenes look at the conservation efforts at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Tap into your creativity while sipping on fine wine. Join us for an evening of creativity and conversation with local artist, Shelley Hanmo.  
 

Shelley, known for her paper collage illustrations, will draw inspiration from The Garden to guide you in creating your own unique artwork to take home.

Explore, investigate, and create together. In this class designed for 5 to 10-year-olds and their adult, you’ll go on a guided exploration of artworks, create your own book of artwork, and become evidence-based investigators using Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), a child-led conversation that grows observation skills and vocabulary. 

Each ticket includes one child and one adult. Additional adults will need to purchase a General Admission ticket. All materials provided. 

Schedule

August 16: Work in Progress: Conversations about American Art 

September 20: The Message is the Medium: Contemporary Art 

October 18: African Art 

November 15: The Clowes Pavilion Reimagined 

December 20: Decorative Arts 

Join our Garden Guides to see The Garden transform throughout the seasons. Each tour will highlight the prominent characteristics of each garden space and discuss flora, architecture, and history. 

Meet at The Garden Entrance Pavilion. 

Join our Garden Guides for a monthly tour to see our heirloom trees transform through the seasons. Each tour will highlight the prominent characteristics of each species for that month.  

Meet at The Garden Entrance Pavilion. 

An evening tour of The Garden at Newfields with Chad Franer, The Tom and Nora Hiatt Director of Horticulture. Meet at The Garden Entrance Pavilion.