Wheaton Wednesdays

About the Event

WheatonArts is open late on two special Wednesdays this summer! Experience the grounds with creative activities designed for the entire family from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Highlights include design contests in the Glass & Pottery Studios, special exhibit tours in the Museum of American Glass and Folklife Center, free family art activities, a campus-wide scavenger hunt, live music, and more.

Wheaton Wednesday dates are FREE to the public, part of WheatonArts Family Days! Presented by PNC Arts Alive!

Down Jersey Folklife Center

In the Ceremonies in Circles exhibit, discover traditional West African masks, garments, woodcarvings, and ceremonial objects used in special rituals and community celebrations.

Take a Themed Docent Tour
Experience a 30-minute docent tour exploring the different themes from the Ceremonies in Circles exhibit.
4 p.m. - "African Masquerade"
6 p.m. - "Moving in Circles"

Glass Studio

11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Design a Glass Mask Contest
The Folklife Center's exhibit Ceremonies in Circles is meant to inspire a meaningful dialogue about the significance of cultural heritage in our region's multicultural landscape. Design a mask that tells a story about a ritual or celebration significant to you and your family. Our Glass Studio Team will sculpt select designs out of molten glass! Bring your designs to the Studio each hour before 6 p.m. for a chance to watch your vision come to life!

Pottery Studio

Stop by the Pottery Studio to see wet clay sculpted into beautiful and functional works of art throughout the day. Ask to take a kiln tour while you're there!

Jack'O'Lantern Design Contest
Try your hand at designing a ceramic Jack'o'lantern for our ceramic artists to make! At the end of the day, the artists will pick one adult and one child design to reproduce in clay. Winners will receive the final piece after it's glazed and fired in the kiln, about 2-3 weeks later.

Museum of American Glass

Visit the Museum for special tours of the new exhibition, Centuries of Tomfoolery: Trick Glasses, Pipes, & Whimsical Delights. Discover how contemporary glassmakers use practical archaeology to understand Renaissance drinking games and party tricks. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the whimsical animals and toys from the past.

Guided Exhibit Tours
Experience a 30-minute docent tour of the Centuries of Tomfoolery exhibit.
Time: 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.

Free Family Art Activities

Sidewalk Chalk Station
The Chalk Engagement Station, created by the WheatonArts Teen Arts Council, is an interactive installation constructed from repurposed pallets, coated with vibrant chalkboard paint. This creative space invites visitors of all ages to express themselves by drawing directly on the pallet walls. With an array of colorful chalk at their disposal, participants can transform the station into a dynamic, ever-evolving canvas of community creativity.

Finger Labyrinths
Enhance your labyrinth walk experience by designing a portable finger-tracing labyrinth to complement and deepen your journey of reflection and mindfulness. This creative process is fun and relaxing and offers an opportunity to personalize your labyrinth with meaningful symbols, colors, and patterns.

Easel Art Using Pastels
Experiment with blending, layering, and shading techniques as you create your own pastel composition. Our instructor will guide you through the basics while allowing plenty of room for imaginative expression.

Education Studio

11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Fused Glass Magnet, Pendant, or Suncatcher
fee-based
Create a fused glass magnet, pendant, or suncatcher beginning with pre-fused glass blanks. Using small pre-cut pieces of glass and an assortment of accessory glass, including frit and stringers, create a design to be tack fused. After firing your fused glass, our artists will attach a bail, magnet, or leather cord, depending on your project choice. In one week, completed glass projects will be ready to pick up or ship (for a fee). This glass fusing activity has a discounted fee of $10 per magnet/pendant and $20 per suncatcher.

Gallery of Fine Craft Trunk Shows

Susan Boyce
Stop by to create your own necklace or bracelet by selecting flameworked glass beads created by Susan Boyce. She will string it for you on the spot! Dichroic glass cabochons will also be available to merge onto her new slider chains and bracelets. Prices vary by design.

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