Let's face it, most of us spend way too much time in front of Netflix and the Kardashians to actually put culture into our brains. Think about the last time you went to a museum. If it was more than a month ago, it's time to head back to one of Dallas or Fort Worth's fine educational institutions for a little learning.
Whatever your interests, Dallas' museums and their extensive slates of programming will introduce you to the worlds of science, drawing, and art restoration, all at a much cheaper price than actually taking a college class that you'd probably fail anyway. If you're falling short in the culture department, these five museum events will help you feel like an actual adult who knows interesting things.
International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes Perot Museum of Nature and Science $12 + Museum Admission Whether you're a fan of Benedict Cumberbatch's version of Sherlock or the classic books, this Perot Museum exhibit will bring out both your inner nerd and the detective you wish you'd grown up to be. From the moment you walk into this exhibit, you'll start solving a crime. From there, you can check out some awesome antiquities, props from CBS's Elementary, and plenty of cool detective tools. You'll learn all about the science of deduction, so maybe you can finally figure out what happens to all those missing socks in the dryer.
Arts & Letters Live: Lynsey Addario Friday, February 20 Dallas Museum of Art Free As a photo journalist, Lynsey Addario has seen it all. As one of four American journalists kidnapped in Libya in 2004 for reporting the truth about atrocities, Addario has a unique experience as a war correspondent that will make for a riveting Arts & Letters Live conversation. In support of her new memoir, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Addario will discuss her experience in war-torn countries across the globe, and her relentless pursuit of exposing the "human cost" of war.
Drawing From The Masters Sunday, February 22, 2015 SMU Meadows Museum of Art Free If you've been thinking about picking up a pencil and seeing if your old drawing skills are as good as you remember them being in elementary school, this free class at SMU's Meadows Museum could be a perfect place to kick off your art career. Local artist Ian O'Brien's casual classes are open to people of all experience levels, and will focus on teaching basic drawing technique. You'll need to bring your own sketchpad and pencils, but extra supplies will be on hand if you forget.
Pacino to Pollock: How Conservation Impacts the Way Paintings Are Seen and Interpreted Wednesday, February 18, 2015 Kimbell Art Museum Free If you wonder how an art conservator does their job, the Kimbell's Lauren Bailey will discuss the restorative work that she's done on a variety of the collection's works, including Jackson Pollock's 1943 Mural. Bailey will go through the process of how the Museum determines when a piece should be restored, how far to take it, and the steps it takes to restore a painting to its original glory. If you've ever been interested in how museums make hundred-year old paintings look so fresh, this is the class for you.
French Sculpture Census Nasher Sculpture Center Saturday, February 21, 2015 Free You probably don't know much about French sculpture, but Friday night's free lecture at the Nasher is the perfect opportunity to learn. French Sculpture Census director (and former head archivist at Musee d'Orsay in France) Laure de Majorie will tell the stories behind some of France's most celebrated sculptures from both past and present. After the lecture, a free wine reception will be held for attendees who RSVP in advance. Free wine + art = obvious choice for a Saturday afternoon.
