The Springfield Museums’ monthly tour and lecture schedule continues in February with the popular Museums à la Carte lectures, which take place each Thursday at 12:15 p.m. in the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts. Admission is $4 ($2 for members of the Springfield Museums); visitors are invited to bring a bag lunch (cookies and coffee are provided). For more information about Museums à la Carte, call 413-263-6800, ext. 488. This month’s lectures are as follows:

• Feb. 4 – A Look at the History of Latinos in Western Massachusetts. Commentary from historian and retired Museums’ President Joseph Carvalho III and Elizabeth Roman, reporter for The Republican, MassLive.com and El Pueblo Latino, who collaborated to write and edit Nuestra Historia: A History of Latinos in Western Massachusetts.                           
• Feb. 11- The Armory Show, Chamber of Horrors or Exhibition of Art? Gloria Russell, retired art critic and professor of art history, examines the one of the most pivotal moments in American art history and the social and political climate that shaped the public’s response to the exhibit.
• Feb. 25 – Drawing the Portrait. Christina Grace Mastrangelo, classical painter and teacher, shares her approach to creating arresting and memorable portraits, examples of which can be seen in the current exhibit Leaving our Mark.

(No lecture on February 18.)

As part of the Museums’ members-only “Continuing Conversations” series, museum docent Richard O’Brien will lead a guided gallery discussion immediately following the February 11 talk at the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, and docent Adele Gladstone-Gilbert will lead a post-lecture gallery discussion on February 25 also at the D’Amour Museum of Fine Art.

On Friday, February 5, the Springfield Science Museum’s large rooftop telescope will be open for public sky gazing at 7:30 p.m. as part of the “Stars Over Springfield” observatory series. These programs are organized by the Museum and the Springfield Stars Club, and take place on the first Friday of each month. Each event features an introductory talk on topics such as space exploration, seasonal sights of the night sky, current astronomical research, or upcoming events like eclipses or comet appearances. Stars Over Springfield programs are best suited for families with children ages 8 and older, however younger children are also welcome.  Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children 17 and under. These programs are held rain or shine. If it is cloudy, a planetarium show will be presented in place of telescope viewing. For information about astronomy programs at the museum, call 413-263-6800, ext. 318.