Children's museum seeks instrument donations
That used clarinet or dented trombone stuck in the back of the closet may be unwanted in your house but could receive new life in an exhibit opening this fall at DuPage Children's Museum.
The museum is seeking donations of all type of instruments for a hands-on art exhibit that will be titled Art Is Instrumental. Some instruments will be featured as a part of a still-life drawing station or a one-man-band exhibit, and others may be taken apart and used in a piece of artwork.
Donated instruments can't be returned, but all donations will be recognized with an in-kind letter for charitable donation.
The new exhibit will feature paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures and instruments and will explore artists' representations of instruments in both 2-D and 3-D works.
Children will have an opportunity to experience artists' many different interpretations of instruments, to explore instruments that are both unusual and beautiful, and to play rhythms and songs on a variety of instruments.
Exhibit activities may include building a musical sculpture out of household items that can then be played; creating a still-life out of musical instruments, then drawing it; playing a tune on a PVC pipe organ; and creating a masterpiece while conducting an "orchestra."
Programming will be integrated into the Art Is Instrumental experience, including professional musicians performing culturally diverse songs, child musicians performing for other children, and children creating 2-D and 3-D artworks.
DCM's Studio also will have children create their own interpretations of classic art pieces using different methods of expression. ranging from painting to clay.
The Interact with Art Gallery, where Art Is Instrumental will be located, houses exhibitions designed to engage children and their adult partners in a deeper understanding and appreciation of artwork in a variety of media.
The gallery highlights creative connections artists make when they portray meaningful elements of our world. As each artist's interpretation is subjective, no two portrayals of a subject will be the same.
The Interact with Art Gallery exhibits are designed to introduce visitors to looking at art together; to help children and their adult partners develop their own aesthetic senses and the shared vocabulary to describe it; to introduce children to a variety of media; to inspire visitors to create art in their lives after they leave the museum; and to involve children in art that is fun or whimsical as well as serious.
To donate an instrument, contact Kim Stull, director of exhibits and operations, at (630) 637-7645 or kstull@dupagechildrensmuseum.org. The deadline for donations is Friday, Sept. 22.
Sponsorship opportunities also are available for Art Is Instrumental exhibit. For information, call the development office at (630) 637-8000, ext. 5180.