Calling all knights and princesses

DALLAS (SMU) – Kids can become medieval knights or princesses for the day April 21, 2012, at SMU’s free Meadows Museum Family Day.

Kids do crafts at the Meadows Museum. (Downloadable images below.)

Strolling troubadours, jesters and dancers portrayed by SMU arts students will set the outdoor scene at the museum plaza and sculpture garden, along with acting students demonstrating medieval jousting. Falconers from American Hawking also will be on hand.

Inside the museum kids can create knight and princess crafts, look for art treasures in a scavenger hunt and take a hands-on look at armor used by contemporary sword-fighters with Schola St. George Medieval and Renaissance Swordsmanship.

Family Day activities accompany the Meadows Museum exhibition “The Invention of Glory: Afonso V and the Pastrana Tapestries,” which includes four recently restored 14 x 35-foot tapestries.  In delicate detail the 15^th-century tapestries depict life-sized royalty, knights, soldiers and horses in full battle gear.

Children also can see the 15^th-century armor of Duarte de Almeida, the standard-bearer for King Afonso V of Portugal, who is depicted in Pastrana tapestries.

The Family Day events are part of SMU's Founders' Day weekend of activities.

Day at a Glance

What: Family Day at SMU’s Meadows Museum exhibition, “The Invention of Glory: Afonso V and the Pastrana Tapestries.”

When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 21, 2012

Where: Meadows Museum at 5900 Bishop Blvd. on the SMU campus See map.

Cost: Free, parking is free in Meadows Museum parking garage

Entertainment:

• Strolling troubadours, jesters, dancers and jousters portrayed by SMU arts students.
• Falconers from American Hawking
• Sword-fighters from Schola St. George Medieval and Renaissance Swordsmanship

Activities: Knight and princess crafts, scavenger hunt, hands-on look at suits of armor.

Refreshments: Free treats for princesses and knights, Green House food trucks on hand.

News Media Contacts:

Nancy George
214-768-7674
ngeorge@smu.edu

Carrie Hunnicutt
214-768-1584
chunnicutt@smu.edu

Kids do crafts at the Meadows Museum (Click on an image for larger verison.)

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