Playing at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

by Lillie Forteau /
Lillie Forteau's picture
Jun 19, 2009 / 5 comments

We had such fun playing at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts this week! They have a small collection of art from all periods, and currently have a Georgia O'Keefe exhibit. BUT! the best part was the ARTworks interactive gallery! This is "A special place for young visitors! "Paint" with virtual paint on a giant computer screen. Change the colors in a work of art with a computer. Enjoy books, blocks, drawing and more!" The KIA is located in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan.

If it is closed due to COVID-19, or you live far away and can't visit at the moment, you can explore the online collections at: http://collection.kiarts.org/

Come with me as I explore and play at the KIA!

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

They have lots of regular art - I like to find cool things in the paintings, or draw some parts of it myself.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Now comes the fun part - the KIDS ROOM! This is a big screen made of tiny nails. When you push in on one side, it makes a relief on the other.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

You can learn about Calder and his mobiles, and try to balance your own mobile.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

You can learn to draw wild animals.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

You can explore color and light...

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

You can design your own prints and colors of this painting.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

You can read, do fun things on the table, check out the robot, and also take photos of your face and then turn them into one of four types of artist statements (like Andy Warhol)...

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

MORE FUN! I call this one a Thousand Hands...

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

This part was fun, you pick up this HUGE heavy brush and then touch it to the color you want. Then you push a button and "paint" by waving the brush around. It draws it on the screen.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

And you can learn about Audubon, and also put together a life-size puzzle of this bird.

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts offers many high-quality classes and workshops at reasonable costs for people of all ages and skill levels. They even have a kids art camp!

But I would recommend going to the kids room and spending some time. It is FUN!

 

For more information, please see:

http://www.kiarts.org

 

 

 

Comments (5)

  • wandermom

    15 years 4 months ago

    Thanks for sharing so much detail Jessie. This is great information. For me (with my two super-jiggly kids) it's always good to know that an art gallery has been parent-approved before I attempt to take them to visit.

  • Dr. Jessie Voigts

    15 years 4 months ago

    you're so right, wandermom! one of our favorite art museums is the dayton art institute in dayton, ohio. they have a search and find kit for kids - lillie LOVES IT! this playroom though, was the best interactive art i've ever seen for kids!

     

    Jessie Voigts, PhD

    Publisher, wanderingeducators.com

  • Dominique-Midwe...

    15 years 4 months ago

    This looks like a great exhibit. We always check out the "kids' room" at exhibits, even though we don't have kids, because it's fun to see the imaginaitve stuff they didn't have when we were young.

  • Dr. Jessie Voigts

    15 years 4 months ago

    yes, dominique, i choose them, too! of course, i have an excuse (a 6yo!) but i am sure that we'll keep searching for interactive kids things - this one was REALLY fun.

     

    Jessie Voigts, PhD

    Publisher, wanderingeducators.com

  • Mara Gorman

    15 years 4 months ago

    I'd definitely like to visit here and play with my kids.

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