A witch standing above a boiling cauldron.

Splashes and Spells

March 5, 2026 at 4 - 8 pm

Free with Museum admission

Discover picture book magic through making, playing, and imagining together in this spellbinding program for all ages!

As part of The Carle After Dark series, step into an evening of enchantment inspired by our Sprites, Spells, and Splashes: Magical Beings in Picture Book Art exhibition! Enjoy live music with Rob Fontana and Vernon David, magical potions, and wand-making.

At this spellbinding program for all ages:

Craft your very own magical wand, choosing a crystal and creating a personal incantation that reflects your creativity.
Learn whimsical wand movements that invite playful exploration
Experience storytime featuring tales of legendary sprites, melodies, and miracles
Sip on color-changing magical potions, where a dash of science meets a swirl of wonder

*All activities except storytimes are 4–7:30 pm. Storytimes will be at 4:30 pm, 5:30 pm, and 6:30 pm.

Live music is sponsored by Northampton Jazz Fest.

Who You'll Meet

Vernon David & Rob Fontana

This dynamic jazz piano and cello duet brings a bold blend of improvisation and classical expression to their own unique arrangements of jazz standards and original works. Expect to hear a few pieces by some of our favorite pianists, such as Bill Evans, Chick Corea, and Michel Petrucciani, pieces by Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown and Frank Zappa, as well as a few of Fontana’s original compositions.

Explore Further