Join us for free activities to celebrate the 17th anniversary of International Dot Day, a global celebration of The Dot, a children’s book by Peter H. Reynolds that inspires all to believe in themselves and find the courage to “make their mark.” Reynolds is a New York Times best-selling children’s book author and illustrator.

Admission to the Museum is free for everyone on Saturday, September 12, for UNIQLO Free Admission Day. All ages and abilities are welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. See Visiting with Kids and Family for more information.

Events and Activities

StoryWalk

10 am–4 pm
Starts on Huntington Avenue Lawn (rain location: starts in Sharf Visitor Center)

Walk around the Museum to read The Dot on a unique series of signs featuring pages of the book.

The StoryWalk Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.

Drop-In Art Making

10 am–4 pm (last entry 3:45 pm)
Huntington Avenue Lawn (rain location: Shapiro Family Courtyard)

Connect the dots and make your mark! Use provided materials to create colorful artwork inspired by The Dot and join the global movement of rediscovering the power and potential of creativity in all that we do.

Dot Together! Community Mural

10:30 am–12 pm
Gallery 168

Join author Peter H. Reynolds to collaborate on a colorful, one-of-a-kind mural! Create a dot to make your mark, then see how the final product is a reminder that together we can create something bigger and more beautiful than any one of us could make alone.

Book Reading and Film Screening

12:45 pm (doors open 12:30 pm)
Remis Auditorium

Join author Peter H. Reynolds for a reading of The Dot, the story of a caring teacher who dares a doubting student to trust in her own abilities by being brave enough to “make her mark.” What begins with a small dot on a piece of paper becomes a breakthrough in confidence and courage, igniting a journey of self-discovery and sharing. Stay after the reading for a short animated film of another book from Reynolds’s The Creatrilogy. Each child in attendance will receive a free, illustrated frame drawn by Peter to create their very own dot!

Book Signing

1:45–2:45 pm
Druker Family Pavilion, Room 156

Meet Peter H. Reynolds, the New York Times best-selling author and illustrator of The Dot, and have him sign a book! A selection of his books are available at MFA shops. Pre-signed copies are also available.

Musical Performance featuring the School of HONK

3–4 pm
Starts at the parking lot on Museum Road 

Make your mark—with music! Sing, clap, stomp, and dance the afternoon away with the School of HONK, a radically inclusive brass band and all-ages, all levels community music school based in Cambridge and Somerville. Weather permitting the musicians follow the sidewalk around the Museum beginning at the parking lot on Museum Road. In case of rain, the performance will be canceled. 

Rooted in the street band tradition, the School of HONK brings out the musician in everyone through free and open-to-the-public music making every week. Their music is spontaneous and joyful, creating moments of connection wherever they go! Their mission is to have fun learning music together, and to bind our community closer while dancing and playing for friends and neighbors.