School Vacation Week At Boston Museum

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) hosts the Cogan Family Foundation Vacation Week Adventures with "Journey to Italy," featuring a wide range of activities and live performances inspired by the Italian Renaissance. Kids and their families are encouraged to explore the masterpieces on view in the exhibition Donatello to Giambologna: Italian Renaissance Sculpture, then create their own portrait head in clay, Roman mosaic, or golden altarpiece.

In addition, there will be live Renaissance music and dance performances throughout the week, by the "Renaissonics" and "Seven Times Salt," as well as improvisational performances that focus on Italy by the Underground Railway Theatre, and story hour for younger children.

Additionally, Monday, February 19 marks the 4th annual Chisels and Chainsaws competition on the museum's lawn, when families can watch local college students carve 600-lb blocks of ice, and are invited to vote on their favorite creation.

The MFA's School Vacation Week activities, which run daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., are free for children 17 and under with paid adult admission. ALS interpretation is available for select programs, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

FREE SCHOOL VACATION WEEK ACTIVITIES

Ice Sculptures: Chisels and Chainsaws, Monday, Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., West Wing entrance

Four teams of students from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, one team from Massachusetts College of Art and one team from Boston Architectural Center will compete in the 4th annual "Chisels & Chainsaws" ice sculpting event. Teams will transform 600-pound blocks of ice into stunning sculptural creations with chainsaws, chisels, and blowtorches. Visitors are invited to vote for their favorite sculpture.

Italian inspired art-making activity, Monday Feb. 19 - Friday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

General admission (which includes two visits in a 10-day period, but does not include Gund Gallery exhibitions) is $15 for adults and $13 for senior citizens and students age 18 and above. Students who are University Members are free. Admission is free for children 17 years of age and under during non-school hours. Thursday and Friday evenings after 5 p.m., admission is reduced by $2. Wednesdays after 4 p.m., admission is free. The Museum is closed on New Year's Day, Patriot's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. -- www.mfa.org