Corning, New York –A family visit to The Rockwell Museum now includes drop-in play in the new Family Exploration Studio. In this interactive space, visitors of all ages can drop-in and draw, perform a puppet show, build with blocks, match the tiles in a pottery demo, and read together in the book nook. As always, kids and teens are free. The Family Studio is open every day, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and will have extended summer hours beginning Memorial Day (9 a.m. – 8 p.m.). The five centers throughout The Studio are designed to encourage play and creative dialogue while supporting the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of children. Families are encouraged to drop-in any time; no reservations are required.
The purpose of the Family Exploration Studio supports the larger educational vision of The Rockwell; to be a leader in providing authentic art and cultural education experiences.
“Children with imagination do a better job visualizing what they are reading, solving problems, entertaining themselves without devices, and thinking creatively in a variety of situations. The studio is set-up with activity centers for self-directed, creative hands-on learning. The studio is designed to help families make connections between their experiences in the studio and the art they see in the galleries,” says Mary Mix, Senior Museum Educator.
Studio Center Descriptions:
Drop-in and Draw: Featuring two drawing activities - creative and a directed drawing exercise.
Drawing plays an important role in a child’s development. Like no other activity, drawing allows young children to express emotions, experience autonomy, and build confidence. The four major objectives of drawing are: making, perceiving, expressing and contextualizing.
Blocks Rock: 82 piece multicolored blocks featuring 13 shapes
As children design and build with hardwood blocks, they practice problem solving, develop perception skills, and explore basic math and science concepts.
Puppet Place: The puppet area will have a stage and six large animal puppets representing wildlife from the Museum’s collection.
Learning through play is fundamental to our children's education, helping them to develop the necessary skills in life. Puppets can stimulate children's imagination, encourage creative play and discovery. Puppets are multi-sensory, allowing for visual, auditory and kinetic learning. Puppets also help students to be more confident in their speaking.
Book Nook: A selection of themed books will be displayed to be used in the Studio space.
The reading nook is intended to provide a space where children can have positive reading experiences with diverse learning that is not limited to school and touches on topics related to the Museum.
Exhibit Experience: Explore pottery and design. Puzzle Pots bases on the Cameros collection
Match the Tiles!
The clay tiles match up to different methods of pottery making used throughout history. Half the tiles show various clay making techniques, and the other half of the tiles have the techniques listed on them.
About The Rockwell Museum
The Rockwell is a leader of arts education in the Corning community, bringing arts into local schools, and onto our streets – serving youth that may not have other alternatives for arts education. The Rockwell Museum is a collection of art about America, highlighting the people, land and ideas that shaped the American experience and the complex story of the migration West. Founded to celebrate the American Bicentennial, the Museum showcases the diverse array of American art and artifacts collected by department store magnate Bob and Hertha Rockwell. More than just a collection of art, the Rockwell lies at the heart of arts education and family activities in Corning, New York, and is housed in the beautifully restored 1893 Old City Hall.
