The Rubin is transforming. Read important updates from our Executive Director.
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Earlier this month, the Rubin Museum put on its annual summer Block Party. This year’s theme was transformation, inspired by the museum’s current exhibition “Becoming Another: The Power of Masks.” Lively performances and a wide range of activities kept up the excitement while ice cream and shelter in the Rubin’s galleries kept visitors cool from the hot July sun.

Check out some of the highlights of the Block Party below:

Photo: Lyn Hughes
Photo: Lyn Hughes

On the morning of the event, our staff raised a massive scroll painting, created by Sonam Phuntsok, over the entrance to the Museum.

The painting depicts Maitreya, who is known as the Buddha of the Future. During festive public ceremonies in Tibet, large scroll paintings such as this are unfurled and displayed on mountainsides.

Photo: Lyn Hughes
Photo: Lyn Hughes

Once the event got started, visitors had the opportunity to learn about the history behind various art forms and even create art of their own—including masks, prayer beads, origami, thangkas, and more. Everyone’s combined work made for a colorful and creative afternoon!

Photo: Lyn Hughes
Photo: Lyn Hughes
©Adam Elstein
©Adam Elstein

The photo booth was also a hit. It gave everyone a chance to show off their costumes, creations, and of course, their personality!

©Shaked Uzrad
©Shaked Uzrad

Thanks to free museum admission during the Block Party, families browsed the Rubin’s galleries to check out the art and escape the heat for a bit. Museum tours, gallery searches, and pit stops for Himalayan dishes at Café Serai, provided plenty of opportunities to cool off and take in some culture.

©Adam Elstein
©Adam Elstein
©Adam Elstein
©Adam Elstein

Visitors especially enjoyed the performances from Ajna Dance, Brooklyn Raga Massive, and of course, The Tibetan Language School of the Tibetan Community of NY and NJ!

Photo: Lyn Hughes
Photo: Lyn Hughes
Photo: Daniela Mayer
Photo: Daniela Mayer
Photo: Daniela Mayer
Photo: Daniela Mayer

After hours of discovery and fun, the afternoon concluded with a beautiful closing dance from the ACHA Himalayan Sisterhood.

©Adam Elstein
©Adam Elstein

The Museum owes a big thank you to all of our supporters, volunteers, and partners who helped make the Block Party such a success, especially New York Life, the Baruch College-Rubin Museum of Art Project, Healing Hearts, Inc, and Lion Brand Yarn Company. We look forward to next year’s Block Party so we can do it all again!

For information about the Rubin Museum’s ongoing family programs and upcoming events, visit our Family Programs webpage.

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