Small Wonder
Even the littlest artists can get creative at the Contemporary Arts Center with the opening celebration of the CAC's School Outreach Program (SOP) exhibit and an updated “Soft Bones” installation by artist Garrett Goben, on Saturday, April 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“‘Soft Bones’ is an interactive installation in the CAC's Creativity Center,” says Elizabeth Hardin-Klink, CAC’s director of education. “Goben likes to design new sports and games for people to play as a form of performance art. This installation invites visitors to come together and create the rules and objects for their own games using the handmade sculptures and game pieces he's created. The interactive piece is designed for visitors of all ages to use, inspiring them to step outside of their routines and experience something profound in everyday spaces.”
The Family Festival also marks the opening of an art exhibit for CAC’s School Outreach Program (SOP(, an initiative designed to bring contemporary art experiences into the classroom. Along with docent-led gallery visit and in-class workshops, SOP includes participation in CAC's annual student art show.
These two great new additions to the 6th floor will be on display for visitors to learn about and explore. Guest artists from the SOP will join in on the fun with hands-on art making related to the work. Special visitors from DIY Printing and Visionaries + Voices will have creative stations with projects that visitors of all ages will enjoy.
“CAC has partnered with Visionaries + Voices for many years through their SOP,” says Hardin-Klink. “This partnership brings V+V artists and educators into the classrooms and invites students to the V+V gallery to learn directly from working, local artists with disabilities. This partnership is incredibly important, letting students connect with many different types of artists and creating a more inclusive arts community.”
Visitors will also have the chance to meet artist Goben, the mind behind “Soft Bones” and learn more about the update piece, which was first installed during the grand opening of the Creativity Center in 2022.
“This much-loved piece has been a source of inspiration and joy for thousands of CAC visitors and was in need of a refresh,” says Hardin-Klink. “After taking some time away, ‘Soft Bones’ is back and better than ever with new game pieces, new interactive sculptures, and some additional new surprises that the CAC knows its families will enjoy.
Other interactive opportunities during the Family Festival include
Screen Printing – DIY Printing (an SOP studio partner) will be leading a collage print making activity with remnants from their printing studio. Visitors can learn about screen printing, then create and take home their own collage print.
Felt a Mini Rug – CAC Educators will be on hand to lead visitors through a mini rug making activity inspired but the new rugs in Garrett Goben's Soft Bones installation. Participants can try their hand at felting while create a tiny game rug to take home.
Design a Game Piece and Game Board –Visitors can use clay to sculpt their own game pieces, and wooden game board to take home, inspired by Garrett Goben's Soft Bones sculptures.
V+V Relief Printing – Work with V+V artists to create a relief print using foam plates. Experiment with ink and scratch drawings to create a unique, one-of-a-kind print to take home.