A museum of glass and ceramic art isn’t a natural environment for young children, and some parents worry in case it’s like bringing a bull into a china shop! We’re proud to have made our Fired Arts museum into a haven for multi-generational families to discover the joy of art together through our arts and crafts activities and scavenger hunts. In September, we celebrated National Grandparents Day and confirmed the adage that nothing quite compares to seeing the world through a child’s eyes and creating lasting memories together.
Over 100 guests joined us at WMODA on Sunday, September 13, for our family-friendly programs. Aspiring ceramic artists of all ages signed up to spin the potter’s wheel under the guidance of multimedia artist Mirela Popovici. Throughout the day, visitors gathered to hear Mirela explain the wheel-throwing pottery process as she helped turn wobbly bowls into “masterpieces” that she will fire, glaze, and return to WMODA in a few weeks.
Meanwhile, our volunteers, Mary Brown and Claudia Bailley, encouraged visitors to add to our River of Glass and Light project. Children and adults colored and sprayed lots of coffee filters inspired by Dale Chihuly’s glass macchia garden. Our resident Granddads, Rico Ballesteros and Voluntold George Hawthorn, also had fun experimenting with decorating techniques to share with guests.
Lori Brown, our talented resident glass and graphic artist, led a beading workshop throughout the afternoon. Participants selected beads from our recently donated treasure trove and made beautiful jewelry, which Lori crimped and closed. Some of the ladies seemed to be in competition to create the longest-ever memory wire bracelets, while several little girls made necklaces for themselves. Countless grandparents and parents set off on scavenger hunts around the museum with their young charges and returned victorious to claim their prizes at reception. A few children were excited to embark on more than one challenge and looked for butterflies, mermaids and tiny treasures, while still finding time for souvenir photos with the Mermaid Tail on loan from Ocean Rescue Alliance International.
We are very grateful to all the artists and volunteers who support our family-friendly programs and help us create memorable events together.
