Youth of all ages and their families can explore art and drama at UNT's Saturdays Series Nov. 8

What: UNT Art Gallery Saturday Series

When: 1-3 p.m. Nov. 8

Where: UNT Art Gallery, 1201 W. Mulberry St. in Denton, on the first floor of the Art Building

Parking: Guests can park for free near the Art Building on Mulberry and Welch.

Cost: Free

What else: Reservations can be made online.

DENTON (UNT), Texas -- Families can get a dose of art and drama at the next UNT Art Gallery Saturday Series program, organized by the University of North Texas Art Galleries in partnership with the UNT chapter of the National Art Education Association.

The free event aimed at children from kindergarten to the 12th grade takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 8 (Saturday) at the UNT Art Gallery, 1201 W. Mulberry St.

Students and their families will first visit the 2014 Annual Faculty and Staff Exhibition on display through Dec. 6 at the gallery.

Acting coach and former theater teacher Nancy Hendrex Chumbley will then ask guests to recreate the pieces, made by artists who work in the College of Visual Arts and Design, by acting in an improv scene.

Chumbley taught for 25 years for Argyle ISD. She currently works at Denton Community Theatre's Theatre School, where she recently directed "The Hobbit" and has leads its Creativity Camps. 

Chumbley said the arts – whether performing or visual – can bring more confidence in children.

"I really think it develops them as a person," she said. "They can take something and create something that's theirs. How many times are we thrown out into the world and have to deal with it?"

Volunteers from NAEA, who are studying to become art teachers, will help guests with the activities.

The Saturday Series, also known as Saturdays in the UNT Galleries, takes place four times each academic year. The spring programs are scheduled for Feb. 7 and April 11 and will feature activities about collage and photography.

The Series is sponsored by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and aims to have children and their families engage with visual art through interactive and performance-based interpretation.