On Friday, October 25, the Museum closes at 6 p.m. and the Law Building is closed all day. 

At-Home Art Activity Inspired by “Shahzia Sikander: Extraordinary Realities” May 20, 2022


Make your own art inspired by the work of Pakistani American artist Shahzia Sikander in the exhibition Shahzia Sikander: Extraordinary Realities. This project guides you in exploring South and Central Asian illustrated manuscript painting while you create a painting to symbolize yourself.

Use the step-by-step activity guide and how-to video below to get started. For more ideas, visit the exhibition at the Museum to see Sikander’s work up close.

Art-Making Activity | Exploring Works on Paper and the Art of Shahzia Sikander
Look closely, gather your materials, and make some art!
Activity Guide PDF

► Plan Your Visit
See Shahzia Sikander: Extraordinary Realities at the MFAH through June 5. Tickets are included with general admission, which is free on Thursdays. Ages 12 & younger, and MFAH members, receive free general admission every day.


Family Programs at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, receive generous support from the Junior League of Houston, Inc.

Learning and Interpretation programs receive generous funding from the Jerold B. Katz Foundation; H-E-B; MD Anderson Cancer Center; Institute of Museum and Library Services; The Brown Foundation, Inc.; Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; Sterling-Turner Foundation; Susan Vaughan Foundation; and additional generous donors.

All Learning and Interpretation programs at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, receive endowment funds provided by Louise Jarrett Moran Bequest; Caroline Wiess Law; Windgate Foundation; the William Randolph Hearst Foundation; Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff; the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Fondren Foundation; BMC Software, Inc.; the Wallace Foundation; the Neal Myers and Ken Black Children’s Art Fund; Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Ballard; Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Tate; the Eleanor and Frank Freed Foundation; Virginia and Ira Jackson; the Favrot Fund; CFP Foundation; Neiman Marcus Youth Arts Education; gifts in memory of John Wynne; and gifts in honor of Beth Schneider.

“Shahzia Sikander: Extraordinary Realities” is organized by the RISD Museum and presented in collaboration with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. This exhibition originated at the RISD Museum thanks to generous federal, private, and endowment support.

Major support is provided by:
Leslie and Brad Bucher

Generous funding provided by:
E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation
The Margaret Cooke Skidmore Exhibition Endowment
Bettie Cartwright
Jereann and Holland Chaney
Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation