Set against the rich and dynamic backdrop of Renaissance Italy, at a time of skepticism and freethinking, regional war and religious upheaval, LEONARDO DA VINCI brings the artist’s towering achievements to life through his prolific personal notebooks, primary and secondary accounts of his life, and on-camera interviews with modern scholars, artists, engineers, inventors, and admirers.
The film weaves together an international group of experts, as well as others influenced by Leonardo who continue to find a connection between his artistic and scientific explorations and life today. As the filmmaker and Leonardo admirer Guillermo del Toro says at the beginning of the film, “the modernity of Leonardo is that he understands that knowledge and imagination are intimately related.”
"LEONARDO DA VINCI" will premiere on November 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. on Panhandle PBS. For more information about the film, visitpbs.org/leonardo.
Explore one of humankind’s most curious and innovative minds.
Upcoming Events: September – December, 2024
Panhandle PBS is excited to partner with Amarillo College, Amarillo Museum of Art, Amarillo Public Library, Arts in the Sunset, the Discovery Center Collective, and Friends of the Amarillo Public Library, for a series of community events in coordination with the premiere of "LEONARDO DA VINCI."
"After da Vinci: Experiments and Expressions" at
Amarillo Museum of Art
September 6 – December 15, 2024
2200 S. Van Buren, Amarillo, TX
Amarillo Museum of Art is hosting “After Da Vinci: Experiments and Expressions”, an ArtSpace exhibition September 6 through December 15, 2024. This exhibit will explore art works from AMoA’s permanent collection from a range of artists whose work exemplifies the spirit of Leonardo da Vinci’s diverse body of work. The interactive exhibit matches art works with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) related art activities and is free and open to the public.
Wildcat Bluff Discovery Center and Ogallala Life Conservation, Inc.:
Guided Hike for West Amarillo Creek Rehydration Project
9 – 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 14
2301 N. Soncy Rd, Amarillo, TX
Wildcat Bluff Discovery Center, in collaboration with Ogallala Life Conservation Inc., will host a community-focused guided hike led by Will Masters to provide an insightful tour of the West Amarillo Creek conservation site and an in-depth look at the innovative rehydration projects being undertaken to ensure the sustainability of our most valuable natural resource – water.
Participants will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful natural surroundings while learning about the critical efforts to recover healthy watershed function, detain stormwater & rejuvenate West Amarillo Creek and its connection to the High Plains Aquifer System. This initiative is part of a larger commitment by both organizations to promote environmental conservation and educate the public on the importance of water preservation.
The event also connects with the upcoming Panhandle PBS local production THE RAIN WE KEEP premiering November 7th telling the local story of the Ogallala Aquifer and what we can do to foster water preservation, and the new film LEONARDO DA VINCI premiering November 18th from Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon exploring the mind of the artist, inventor, scientist, and engineer with an endless curiosity about the natural world around us.
International Dot Day at Amarillo Public Library
10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 14, Downtown Library
413 SE 4th Ave, Amarillo, TX
International Dot Day is a celebration of self-discovery and self-expression as expressed in Peter Reynold’s beloved story, The Dot. It is a day to make the world a more colorful place. This year's event will explore art and engineering inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci where participants of all ages will build objects and explore creative art opportunities.
Saturday Studio – Stomp Rockets: 3-2-1 Blast Off (Ages 6-11) at
Amarillo Museum of Art
Saturday, September 21
2200 S. Van Buren, Amarillo, TX
Led by trained museum educators, AMoA's Museum School classes offer in-depth art experiences that teach kids how to look at, talk about, and create art. In this Saturday Studios workshop, young people will design, construct and launch their very own paper rocket and will explore how the size and shape of fins affect flight. Participants will channel their inner artist and inventor in this da Vinci inspired STEAM workshop. Registration required.
Da Vinci 101: Intro to Inventing at Amarillo Public Library
2:30 p.m., Saturday, September 28, Downtown Library
413 SE 4th Ave, Amarillo, TX
Teens will try their hand at inventing in this creative cardboard workshop. Participants will also watch the movie The Three Musketeers (2011) and learn more about Da Vinci’s most famous inventions for inspiration. Drafting tools will be used to make blueprints of designs before participants build their own inventions out of cardboard with provided supplies. Free and open to the public.
Da Vinci 102: Intro to Art at Amarillo Public Library
2:30 p.m., Saturday, October 12, Downtown Library
413 SE 4th Ave, Amarillo, TX
This teen program will explore Da Vinci’s contributions to art and medical science! Participants will make articulated Vitruvian men in the style of paper fashion dolls. A slideshow will accompany the program with relevant information about Da Vinci. Free and open to the public.
Saturday Studio – Create and Test a Catapult (Ages 6-11) at
Amarillo Museum of Art
Saturday, October 26
2200 S. Van Buren, Amarillo, TX
Led by trained museum educators, AMoA's Museum School classes offer in-depth art experiences that teach kids how to look at, talk about, and create art. In this S.T.E.A.M. centered Saturday Studios workshop, young people will create a catapult and investigate how simple changes of angles can affect trajectory. Like da Vinci, participants will be able to test and adjust their design to optimize power and accuracy. Registration required.
Saturday Studio – Construct a Cartesian Diver (Ages 6-11) at Amarillo Museum of Art
Saturday, November 9
2200 S. Van Buren, Amarillo, TX
Led by trained museum educators, AMoA's Museum School classes offer in-depth art experiences that teach kids how to look at, talk about, and create art. In this Saturday Studios workshop, participants will dive into the amazing art and fascinating science of Cartesian Divers. The Cartesian Diver, sometimes called a “water dancer,” was invented over 350 years ago, but the magic of building one of these inventions never gets old! Registration required.
LEONARDO DA VINCI Film Screening and Activity
3:00 p.m. Sunday, November 17
413 SE 4th Ave, Amarillo, TX
Join Amarillo Public Library, Wildcat Bluff Discovery Center, and Panhandle PBS on Sunday, November 17th at 3:00 p.m. for a preview screening of segments from the film LEONARDO DA VINCI. Archaeologist Erin Frigo will lead participants in a discussion and hands-on activity inspired by da Vinci and his fascination with the natural world. The event is free and open to the public, doors will open at 2:30 p.m., and related Library books will be on display.
Little Da Vincis Workshop: Self Sculptures at Amarillo Public Library
11:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 26, Downtown Library
413 SE 4th Ave, Amarillo, TX
Young children will use a variety of different textured craft supplies (provided) to create 3D representations of their faces. An accompanying slideshow will share relevant facts about Da Vinci. Free and open to the public.
First Friday Art Walk: 3D Art Printing Workshop and Film Screening
at Arts in the Sunset
5 – 9 p.m., Friday, December 6
3701 Plains Blvd., Amarillo, TX
First Friday Art Walks is a monthly free event at Arts in the Sunset to enjoy artwork from local artists, music, food trucks, and more. At the December 6th event, youth participants will learn the process of creating art using 3D printers in the spirit of da Vinci's view that STEAM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) are seamlessly connected. In addition, attendees can view segments from the film LEONARDO DA VINCI from Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon.
Da Vinci Codebreakers at Amarillo Public Library
11:30 a.m., Saturday, December 7, Downtown Library
413 SE 4th Ave, Amarillo, TX
This elementary to tween program will allow kids to learn how to use and decode 2 simple ciphers often used in ARGs (Alternate Reality Games) and hidden lore games like Five Nights at Freddy’s as well as recognize backwards writing as in Da Vinci’s journals. A slideshow will provide more information on ARGs and relevant information about Da Vinci. Free and open to the public.
Saturday Studio – DIY da Vinci Inspired Paper Glider (Ages 8-13) at Amarillo Museum of Art
Saturday, December 14
2200 S. Van Buren, Amarillo, TX
Led by trained museum educators, AMoA's Museum School classes offer in-depth art experiences that teach kids how to look at, talk about, and create art. In this Saturday Studios workshop, young people's imaginations will take flight! Participants will experiment with form and function by building a glider in this S.T.E.A.M. focused workshop that would even make da Vinci jealous! Registration required.
