NEWS for IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Good Show! Gallery Offers Children’s Art Exhibits”

DUPAGE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Release date: January 16, 2007

DCM Contact: Lynne Jele, Marketing & Membership

Phone: (630) 637-8000 ext. 2600

E-MAIL: ljele@dupagechildrensmuseum.org

NEW! Good Show! Gallery at DuPage Children's Museum Is Especially Inspiring

Displays of children’s artistic expression are often limited to “hangings” on the family’s refrigerator or in an office cube. Any child, no matter what developmental level or talent, upon seeing his or her creative endeavors hanging in a real art gallery gets a memorable and validating experience. It just doesn’t happen every day, except for the young artists whose works are being shown in the DuPage Children's Museum (DCM) Good Show! Gallery, in the windowed area on the main level.

“All great artists were once children and we all begin in the same way. A two-year-old may draw a bird as a scribble, but a 10 year old’s drawing will be much more sophisticated. In fact, two 10 year old artists may draw quite differently. All these efforts are valid from educational and early childhood development perspectives,” states the Museum’s Interdisciplinary Arts Specialist, Marcia MacRae. “Seeing their own child’s art alongside pieces by other children can also be a very positive learning experience for parents. Seeing artwork in this new way provides a sense of pride in children’s learning abilities and accomplishments as well as an overall visual impression of developmental levels in children. As DCM’s “Scribbleosophy©” (posted in the Good Show! Gallery) points out, we all progress at different rates, but we all go through predictable stages. Creative expression lasts your whole life.”

The Good Show! is not competitive, as many art shows are. DCM studio programs provide a safe and affirming environment for expression. The new Good Show! Gallery will showcase inspiring artwork that “was chosen to best portray the developmental stages of interpretation and artistic expression of our young visitors,” according to MacRae.

“The Museum’s mission is about children exploring materials and ideas to construct their own knowledge, but it’s also about helping parents understand how that works, too! It’s a learning partnership,” according to the Museum’s Director of Exhibits & Programs, Cynthia Mark-Hummel. “Families can feel comfortable to ask questions and request other Museum resources, if needed.”

“DCM provides a service not easily found elsewhere,” says MacRae. “The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago wrote to tell us that they visited the Museum on a field trip with some of their patients.” To quote Janet Lutha, the Caring For Kids Coordinator, “The group is comprised of physically disabled children; therefore, it is difficult to find appropriate accommodations for us. We found your museum not only accessible for wheelchairs, but the activities and exhibits were at the perfect height for our children to gain access to. It is people like yourself…that not only recognize, but acknowledge children with disabilities have recreation needs too.”

The main goals of the Good Show! Gallery, which is updated about three times each year, are 1) to highlight and support children’s creativity, 2) to extend learning access to surrounding communities, and 3) to provide support and information to parents and families. The Gallery, at the front of the Museum, is sponsored by the Voss Family Foundation, DuPage Community Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

The current Good Show! Gallery is packed with colorful artwork inspired by wings and complements the ongoing exhibit on the upper level: Animals in ArtLand: Wild Wings. This artwork will change from wing-inspired art to wheel-inspired art in early February.

Monday, February 5, at 11:00 a.m. “Wheelies: Children’s Art of Wheels” opens in the Good Show! Gallery. Children love wheels. Bikes, cars and many favorite toys have wheels. This is opening day—the opening will be followed by the Good Show! Gallery Reception for Children Artists and Families on Thursday, February 8, 5:00-7:00 p.m. There will be refreshments at the reception. Come join the fun, meet some of the young artists and see their wheel art—this family exhibit will be available in the Good Show! Gallery through May. Free with admission.

DUPAGE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM:

DuPage Children’s Museum, a top-10 Chicagoland cultural attraction, is a not-for-profit organization, receiving 40% of its funding through donations and sponsorships and is celebrating its 20^th Anniversary in 2007—an imagination celebration of the importance of play, as envisioned by our founders. Your support and donations help us make a difference in the lives of children!

Location: 301 N. Washington Street

Naperville, IL 60540

Phone: 630-637-8000

Hours* Monday: 9 am - 1 pm

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm

Thursday: 9 am - 8 pm

Sunday: 12 - 5 pm

*Call for special holiday hours.

General Admission: $7.50 per person, ages one through 59.

$6.50 per person, ages 60 and over.

Admission is never charged to shop the Explorer Store.

Free Parking. Wheelchair Accessible. Quick walk from Naperville Metra Station.

Annual Memberships: Several types of memberships and gift memberships are available. Please visit www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org or call 630-637-8000 for more information.

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