Category Archive: Art Studio

  1. Farewell Funkyard Sale

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    Our space is evolving. What is now called the “back yard” at Madison Children’s Museum started life here as a parking lot. When the space ceased to be functional as a parking lot, we transformed it into the Funkyard.

    Over one hundred thousand people have enjoyed playing in this unique playground over the last two years. Now the Funkyard is closed, to be sold and taken to new homes.

    Items, quantities and prices are listed on our Facebook page. 

    This May, the back yard will reopen in a different form, featuring a fanciful bridge to transport visitors from the museum to the Log Cabin.

    Over the next few years, we will continue to experiment with different approaches to using this valuable, centrally located space for healthy outdoor play and learning.

    Some years down the line, we envision a grand playscape that will showcase our community’s commitment to kids and play.

    Items go on sale Tuesday, November 24. Most items are viewable on our lot without an appointment. Call 6083540149 for further details. Sale ends Saturday, November 28 at 5 p.m.

    Delivery

    Delivery is available from University Towing Service. Deliveries cost $30 per item (Dancing Stage is $90). Deliveries must be within 20 miles of Madison Children’s Museum. Delivery will be arranged directly through the University Towing Service. Items can be delivered on November 30, December 1 or December 2.

    Disclaimer

    All goods in this sale are sold as is and are not warrantied in any manner or for any length of time. The wooden structures should be considered as art and not viable playground equipment or furniture. Items that were safe for children to play around when they were installed in the Funkyard exhibit may not be safe in your own backyard. The Funkyard was monitored by paid staff during open hours and exhibits staff were attentive to maintenance and repairs throughout. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that these items will remain safe to use once they leave our property. Though items such as cable spools should make fairly sturdy tables the museum does not warranty them as such. Larger items will likely require disassembly and reassembly. The museum can provide photos of what they looked like before they were taken apart, but cannot provide instructions or help in reassembling. The Dancing Stage and Castle with Dog House Entrance will be dissembled by museum staff before purchase.

  2. An Art-filled Summer

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    By Corinne Burgermeister
    Communications Coordinator

    Art-Madison-Childrens-Museum

    Whether kids are crafting out of recycled materials in the Art Studio, using chalk in the Funkyard or making music on our colorful piano, something artsy is always happening at Madison Children’s Museum.

    This summer we are offering several new drop-in programs where kids can get creative and make something totally unique. Here are six programs kids (and adults!) will enjoy.

    Nature and Art
    Wednesdays, through August 26, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
    Head to the Rooftop Clubhouse to create works of art inspired by our four-season garden roof. Topics will include plants, animals, weather, soil, the earth and sky.

    Kids Makerspace: Art Studio
    Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, through August 28, 1 – 3 p.m.
    During our Makerspace open hours, guests can stop by our Art Classroom to participate in community arts projects related to our monthly theme.
    June – Let’s make a puppet show: Create your own puppets using materials in the Art Studio and put on a performance at our mini-theater.
    July – MCM Print Shop: Participate in interactive printmaking activities including screen-prints and letterpress.
    August – Paintapalooza: Celebrate all things painted! Create a piece on our paint wall or paint a portrait to take home.

    Three Greek Myths
    Saturday June 27, 2:30 – 3 p.m.
    Visiting artist Felice Amato will present a short puppet performance of three ancient Greek myths using props and objects that she has created with visitors.

    Clay Workshop: Peace Tiles
    Saturdays through August 29, 1 – 3 p.m.
    Explore what it means to live in peace with our environment and those around us through art. Visit us Saturday afternoons to sculpt images that remind us of peace into clay tiles for a community art project. The clay creations will be used as elements for the Peace Mosaic being created on the walls of Madison’s Social Justice Center.

    Drumming with JuneBug 
    Mondays, July 6 through August 10, 1 – 1:30 p.m.
    Local group JuneBug will visit the Funkyard weekly to lead guests in a drum circle. Kids of all ages can join in rhythm games and dance using recycled instruments.

    Loom Tour: Backstrap Weaving
    July 9, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
    Artist Hannah Bennett will spend the day preparing a backstrap loom system and demonstrating weaving – an ancient technique used in many cultures around the world. Kids will learn how to use weave using materials come from plants as well as recycled and upcycled pieces.

  3. Community Art Project: Black History Fans

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    By Laurie Rossbach
    Art Studio Manager

    Madison Children's Museum Black History MonthHere in the Art Studio at Madison Children’s Museum, we will be celebrating Black History Month in February with a community art show, featuring art made by YOU!

    Our art project, called Black History Fans, will feature portraits and collages on paper fans, celebrating the achievements and struggles of African Americans—made by both adults and young artists.

    Why Fans?

    For a few reasons… to show you are a FAN of black history! Paper “church fans” are also a well-known sight at church services and funerals in the black community. Read on for more information about the history of fans in the black community.

    Who will you dedicate your fan to?

    Dedicate your fan to African American Civil Rights and community leaders, artists, musicians, scientists, sports figures…there are so many choices!

    How to Participate

    To contribute to our show, pick up a blank fan from the front desk, decorate it, and return to the Art Studio by February 1.

    On Sunday, January 25, from 1 – 3 p.m., we will hold a Fan Collage Art Workshop for visitors to stop by and create art for the show.

    For additional resources and more detailed information about our show, see below:

    Help us celebrate Black History Month by decorating a paper fan to honor the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout history. Choose your subject and use paint, markets, collage, or mixed media to create your portrait on the black paper fan. Please include your subject’s name somewhere in your artwork, and label with your name and email or phone number if you’d like it returned after the show.

    Black History Fans Grand Opening: Wednesday, February 4, 6 – 8 p.m.,
    On display through April 30.

    Additional Resources
    History of paper fans
    Black History Teaching Resources
    greatblackheroes.com

  4. A new Coordinator for MCM’s Bakke Art Studio

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    ImageOur new arts coordinator, Laurie Rossbach is an artist with a passion for making giant puppets. Since her first visit to MCM 20 years ago, she has dreamed of working for the museum. In the years building up to taking on her new art studio role at MCM, she has volunteered with museum programs, served as a visiting artist, and even built the puppet theater in Possible-opolis™.

     

    As the parent of a seven-year-old son, she especially appreciates the museum’s commitment to free exploration, creativity, and collaboration.

    “This is an exciting place to make art with kids – for parents, artists, and teachers.”

    Originally from New Orleans, Laurie brings a love of festivals and colorful pageantry. She is the driving force behind Madison’s Procession of the Species. She envisions the Art Studio as a place where people come from across the community to collaborate on large projects – perhaps tied to seasonal festivals or other events.

    It takes a reliable, quality team to implement those kinds of projects. So Laurie is thrilled by the chance to work the Art Studio’s assistants, volunteers, and interns.

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    Coming soon is the Art and Culture Festival. On October 5 and 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., it is free and for all ages.

    • Wisconsin artists will demonstrate everything from book binding to hot glass sculpture
    • Visitors can combine this with the Hmong Fall Harvest on the Rooftop Ramble
    • On Saturday, visitors can also participate in the Global Cardboard Challenge