Bowers At Home
The Bowers is thrilled to expand its connection to our community with the launch of BOWERS AT HOME.
Follow us on social media #bowersathome
Bowers Museum Virtual Orange County Rocks Festival
Bowers Museum Virtual Festival of the Summer Solstice Goddess
Bowers Museum Virtual Fiesta de Mexico
Bowers Museum Virtual Cherry Blossom Festival
Bowers Museum Virtual Festival of the Spring Equinox
Virtual Festival of Spring Equinox Trailer
Bowers Museum Virtual Chinese New Year Festival
Digital Exhibition
Access Digital Exhibition Now
Muscles, ninjas and cyborgs; what do these three things have in common? All are depicted on the flour sack canvases of the Bowers’ first digital exhibition, Reel Art: Movie Posters from Ghana.
This premier digital show revisits one of the most beloved Bowers permanent collection exhibitions, bringing together a group of rugged, campy and visually astonishing posters. These colorful advertisements were originally created to promote movies made available for rent throughout Ghana by an industrious group of traveling entrepreneurs. Familiar celebrity faces and fantastical interpretations of B- and C-list movies from the 1980s and ‘90s make for a wonderful viewing experience. Microwave some popcorn, sit back, relax and enjoy Reel Art from the comfort of your home.
Additional Resources for Reel Art:
Download Lesson Plans in English | Preview
Watch Virtual Project Lesson, linked below!
Digital Guide
Inside The Walt Disney Archives
*Available by mobile device only.*
Use your mobile device to visit guide.bowers.org and see exhibit highlights alongside fun facts and staff favorites.
Don't forget to visit our Storytelling Portal to read and share your favorite Disney memories! Now available on desktop!
Bowers Podcast
Hear directly from experts in the fields of archaeology and more. This treasure trove of past lectures is being updated weekly for your listening pleasure!
Music Playlists
Tune-in and zone-out to the sounds of the Bowers Playlists. Inspired by our current exhibitions, new art projects, and the passing holidays - the Bowers will link new playlists below every week during our closure.
Click the links below to listen to:
- Reel Art Playlist, inspired by Bowers' digital exhibit
- First Californians Playlist, inspired by Bowers' permanent exhibition and timed to accompany our Kidseum Projects.
- Celebrating Mother's Day Playlist, timed to accompany our Kidseum Projects in honor of the holiday.
- Timeless Melodies Playlists: 1945: The Year in Song, Broadway in the 1950s
Audio Tour
Listen up everyone: this tour is for your ears only!
Visit bowers.org/audio to listen in on a virtual tour of the Bowers Museum, available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
HOME ART LESSONS
Mayan Glyphs
Introductions to the Indigenous People of Mexico
Exploring Highlights of Bowers' Taiwanese Collection
Educational Games Inspired by the Bowers Collection
Exploring Highlights of Bowers' Indonesian Collection
Introductions to Miao Silver and Textiles Inspired By The Gallery Miao: Masters of Silver
Exploring History Through Bowers Margaret and Cleo Key Courtyard
Exploring The South Pacific Inspired by the Exhibit Spirits and Headhunters
Introduction to Meditative Imagery Inspired by the Exhibit Sacred Realms
Exploring China Inspired by the Exhibit Ancient Arts of China
Exploring Mexico Inspired by the Exhibit Ceramics of Western Mexico
Drawing and Photography Inspired by the Exhibit California Bounty: Image and Identity, 1850-1930
Educational Projects Inspired by the NEW Virtual Exhibit Reel Art: Movie Posters from Ghana
Weaving Techniques Inspired by the Exhibit First Californians
2D & 3D Design Inspired by the Exhibit Inside the Walt Disney Archives
Introduction to Early California Inspired by the Exhibit California Legacies: Missions and Ranchos
Introduction to Gemstones Inspired by the Exhibit Gemstone Carvings: Masterworks by Harold Van Pelt
Introduction to Recycled Materials and Multimedia Inspired by Earth Day
Member Exclusives From Home
As extension of our new online portal "Bowers at Home" and its virtual offerings, Bowers Members have received exclusive access to premiere content, from live broadcasts and Q&A in our member-exclusive speaker series, "Friends of the Bowers," to videos of past lectures in our new "Best of the Bowers" video lecture archive, staff interviews and more. Click here for details.
Enjoy archives of this series on the Bowers YouTube Channel, under the Friends of the Bowers Playlist!
New! Virtual Family Festivals
Our festivals may be virtual, but the fun is real!
Click here for details on the next upcoming festival or watch the full archive on Youtube and Facebook. Downloadable art projects for each event are listed below. Tag us in your projects #bowersfestival @bowersmuseum!
Festivals
- June Festival of the Summer Solstice Goddess: Download Festival Projects Now | Preview
- May Fiesta de Mexico: Download Art Project Now | Preview
- April Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival: April Spring Festival Projects | Preview
- March Spring Equinox Festival: Download Festival Project Now | Preview
- February Chinese New Year Festival: Download Festival Project Now | Preview
- January Festival of Chocolate: Download Festival Projects Now | Preview
Art Projects
Serving our Community
Early in the recent health crisis, Bowers Museum partnered with Mariners Church to cook, prep, and deliver meals to local hospitals for healthcare workers including Hoag Hospital, CHOC and more. Later added to this program's recipients are the families of the children in our Kidseum After School Program, all of whom are Santa Ana residents, as well as the seniors of our Anne's Treasures Program.
This program has now grown to include funding from Bowers' supporters. In total, thanks to our partners, donors and members, the Bowers has been able to provide important services for our community in 2020, including:
• 23,193 free meals for front line medical and emergency services workers, low-income children, families, and seniors, and the homeless
• 1,527 art kits for low-income children and seniors
• 1,148 bags of groceries for low-income children and seniors
If you haven’t already, please join us in raising funds for this program, as well as free art programs for children, families, and seniors, and exhibitions that showcase the world’s finest art. Click here to learn more.