TARGET FREE FAMILY SATURDAYS BEGINS SERIES WITH
‘I AM. . . I CAN BE’ PROGRAM ON JULY 8 AT NATIONAL MUSEUM

LOS ANGELES.—The Target Free Family Saturdays series debuts on Saturday, July 8, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo with the inaugural program, “I am... I can be...” in conjunction with the current National Museum exhibition, kip fulbeck: part asian, 100% hapa.

Occurring July through November on the second Saturday of the month, the Target Free Family Saturdays series consists of four special days filled with activities created especially for families. Sponsored by Target, the programs emphasize fun activities that encourage families to learn, play and grow together. Because of Target’s goal to make arts and cultural programs like this one accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, this program is free for all families and admission is free to the National Museum all day.

The theme for the July 8 program “I am… I can be…” is inspired by the work of artist Kip Fulbeck, whose photographic exhibition explores the complex issues surrounding the development of individual identity. Fulbeck, who is part Chinese, English and Irish, was interested in showing the diverse range of mixed-race individuals who are part Asian (hapa) and sharing their responses to the question often asked of hapa: “What are you?” The exhibition runs through October 29, 2006.

Visitors of all ages to the Target Free Family Saturday on July 8 will have the opportunity to become part of Fulbeck’s exhibition by taking a Polaroid photograph and responding to the question “What are you?” for themselves. Photographs will be added to the exhibition’s ever-growing interactive display.

The other activities for the “I am… I can be…” program will similarly encourage young people to examine who they are and what makes them special. In one workshop, young people will learn how to draw themselves in comic strip form as their own superhero with their own chosen super powers. All activities are available to families who come between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The other Target Free Family Saturdays are on September 9 (“More Than Crayons”), October 14 (“Family Folktales: Rabbits, Roosters, Monkeys, Oh My!”) and November 11 (“A World of Percussion: Shake, Rattle & Bang!”).

For more information about any of the Target Free Family Saturdays, call the Japanese American National Museum at (213) 625-0414.