The Bellefonte Art Museum, long the creative center of town, is expanding its horizons with their newest venture, the Makery at the Museum, described as a a dedicated, delightful childrena s art studio,a housed on the second floor of the Museum.
This exciting new project is a joint effort with the Makery of State College, who collaborated with the Museum during the Museuma s 2021 summer program, Imagination Celebration. Imagination Celebration included two interactive galleries for families, and the response was so positive that it was decided that this partnership should become permanent.
The Makery has been providing artistic opportunities, through classes, workshops, and events, to Centre Countya s children and families since 2015. Amy Frank, the founder and director of the Makery of State College, says of the Makery at the Museum, that a this bright, inspiring space will mirror the creative aesthetic of its sister studio.a
Lori Fisher, Deputy Director of the Museum, notes that their goal for the project is a to not only show amazing art but educate the community about the arts. Adding the element of a doing arta along with a viewing arta only enhances the exhibition experience and hopefully develops a deeper understanding of the artwork on display, while also providing time for families to co-create.a
The activities will be changing every quarter, acting in conversation with the exhibits the Museum is featuring at that time. A trip to the Makery at the Museum for this quarter will, according to Lori, give families the opportunity to a create their own paper-based Kente Cloth, a colorful, meaningful Ghanian textile, and … add to a community fabric weaving project.a These enjoyable artistic projects are great ways for everyone to relate to the Museuma s main exhibition, African Designs: Creating Wearable Art.
Future activities on the schedule, per the Makerya s website, include building your own Koinobori lantern, drawing your own Chinese Zodiac sign, creating your own Amish barn quilt on a wood panel, and contributing to a community quilt. Along with the activities that will be offered every quarter, there are plans in the future for workshops and classes to also be held in this second floor space.
The art activities in the Makery at the Museum are self-led and will be available during the Museuma s public hours, Friday-Sunday, from 12 to 4:30pm. Private appointments and tours are also available Monday through Thursday, and can be scheduled by contacting the museum through their website www.bellefontemuseum.org, emailing bellefontemuseum@gmail.com, or by calling 814-355-4280.
Part of the mission of the Bellefonte Art Museum is to a provide enrichment by showing art from around the world as well as art from our own community.a With the addition of the Makery at the Museum, they have created a space that connects our community to the art on display and to the artistic spirit in each other.
The good folks at the Museum and the Makery are very excited about this new endeavor, and ita s certain to bring out the artistic spirit in all of us in Bellefonte. Bring your family to the Makery at the Museum and enjoy all of the creative fun they have to offer.
