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Explore the exhibition Made in Connecticut and get inspired by art objects collected from all over the state. What artist, story, or town would you like to highlight? Create a drawing that presents your unique view of The Constitution State with artist Guy Gilchrist. This digital activity pack includes art-making activities, a visual scavenger hunt, close looking prompts, story time, and a musical performance.
ART MAKING
Over his career, cartoonist Guy Gilchrist has illustrated over 60 children’s books and has created memorable characters like The Muppets. The artist grew up in Connecticut and has been to the Wadsworth many times. Listen to how his visits to the museum have inspired his artwork then grab a pencil and draw alongside Guy.
CLOSE LOOKING
Origin: Native American, Northeastern Woodlands
Made by: Native Peoples
Title: Bowl with handles
Date: 1740–60
Material: Burled ash
Having occupied the continent for tens of thousands of years before European settlement, the Native peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands (made up of many different tribes) relied on the forest for their livelihood. This hand-carved bowl is notable for its early date, size, and the craftsman’s mastery of the materials. It was carved from the burl of a tree, a rounded outgrowth filled with deformed grain or small knots. Because the grain is twisted and interlocked, burl wood can chip and break unpredictably, but once carved it is solid and resistant to splitting, making it ideal for bowls and tools.
Zoom in!
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How does the texture of the bowl appear? Is it smooth or rough in some areas?
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Do you notice a variety of brown hues as you look at the bowl’s exterior and interior?
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Have you tried creating something out of wood? What about other items from nature like clay, foliage, or stone?
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Next time you are outdoors safely explore your surroundings and gather material to design a decorative piece. What does this artwork say about your area’s landscape?
STORY TIME
Listen to Guy Gilchrist read his new children’s book Monster Dance and learn how Maurice, an endearingly melodramatic dog, and Charlie, an artistic little girl, take on a world that’s suddenly gone topsy-turvy.
Monster Dance is the first multimedia picture book to help children 6 and younger understand and cope emotionally with the drastic lifestyle change triggered by the pandemic. For every book sold, masks will be donated to healthcare workers via DonatePPE.org.
Learn about Connecticut’s history, geography, facts, and folklore! Listen to Docent Christi Moraga read the children’s book N is for Nutmeg: A Connecticut Alphabet by Elissa D. Grodin in Spanish.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
Connecticut is home to many composers of all musical genres and styles. Take a moment to listen to music performed by local Connecticut ensembles.
SCAVENGER HUNT
Artist: James Prosek
Title: Connecticut Composition No. 1
Date: 2020
Media: Oil and acrylic on panel
Artist James Prosek was born and raised in Connecticut. Prosek is an award-winning author, naturalist, and writer with a love of the natural world. Can you tell how many different animals are pictured in this artwork? Some of these creatures live on land while others are found in the water, but the artist makes it a challenge to identify where each species belongs.
Zoom in! How many amphibians, fish, mammals, and reptiles do you recognize?
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Is that a bear I see perched in the corner?
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A snake slithering away?
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A deer standing still and alert?
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A swordfish swimming with determination?
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A hawk soaring in the sky?
Second Saturdays for Families is supported by Aetna. Additional support is provided by the Ensworth Charitable Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, the George A. and Grace L. Long Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee, and the Charles Nelson Robinson Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee.