Every Tuesday from June to August 2009, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago will organize Summer Outdoor Creation Stations that Chicagoans of all ages can visit for free, hands-on themed art experiences.
Each event will teach children who love to experiment and play with art toys a new understanding of some aspect of how to create art, experiment with the five senses, or run an art museum.
About Summer Outdoor Creation Stations
The theme for each Creation Station will relate to artworks currently on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Creation Stations will be set up twice each Tuesday: from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the MCA front plaza and from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the MCA terrace.
- June 16: Light
(Activities include viewing works by Olafur Eliasson and creating installations of one's own.) - June 23: Interact
(Activities include interacting with other guests to work together on projects such as constructing a collaborative conversation wall.) - June 30: Texture
(Activities include examining and identifying textures and materials in MCA artworks.) - July 7: Color
(Activities include a demonstration by Chicago-based artist Carrie Gundersdorf and opportunities for visitors to use what they learn to create their own drawings and a color quilt.) - July 14: Behind It All
(Activities include a behind-the-scenes look at the nuts-and-bolts of setting up and maintaining exhibitions at the MCA.) - July 21: Optical Illusions
(Activities include a look at the Olafur Eliasson exhibition and opportunities to learn about and create optical illusions.) - July 28: Scent and Taste
(Activities include learning about the use of scent in Olafur Eliasson's work and an exploration of the MCA's farmer's market.) - August 4: Touch
(Activities include exploring different tactile texures used in various MCA artworks.) - August 11: Mist
(Activities include making a color mist mural with artist Kristin Sabatino.) - August 18: Transform
- (Activities include transforming repurposed everyday objects into art and enjoying "the transformative power of music" through enjoying jazz.)
- August 25: Your Own Perception
(Activities include exploring how each visitor perceives the world around him or herself through group discussion and a drawing activity.)
Shopping at the MCA Store
As always, the MCA Store has an amazing selection of toys for both kids and grown-ups. After participating in each Summer Outdoor Creation Station, visitors might want to stop by and look for toys that relate to the theme for that day. For example, Magnetic Color Cubes or Sticker Art Shapes: Alexander Calder could be used after the Creation Station on Color. Parents and kids can have fun together searching for toys and discussing which relate to what they have just learned and why.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is located at 220 East Chicago Ave.
Comments