[The Magic of Art 03] Experience making things at the Yokohama Museum of Art's "Children's Atelier"
The Yokohama Museum of Art will reopen in March 2024 after three years of major renovations. In November, the museum will celebrate its 35th anniversary, and some areas will reopen, bringing the museum back to life. We spoke with educators Sonoda Taishi and Takiguchi Momo, who plan educational outreach activities at the Children's Atelier, a facility within the Yokohama Museum of Art, about their efforts during the long closure and noteworthy new programs.
(Top image: From left: Yasushi Sonoda and Momo Takiguchi)
Cultivate the desire to give it a try!
"Children's Atelier" is a specialized facility that implements programs aimed at children from preschool to 12 years old, allowing them to encounter art through experience.
The three rooms, a playroom, a craft room, and a light and sound studio, as well as the courtyard, were all reserved from the design stage, creating a spacious space for children. Since the museum opened, many children from Yokohama and elsewhere have been freely enjoying art here through "Programs for Schools" and individual art and appreciation programs.
--The reopening of the Children's Atelier in November 2024 is approaching.
Sonoda : Perhaps it's appropriate to say "finally." I'm happy to be able to respond to the voices of everyone who has been looking forward to our reopening after the completion of major renovation work for about three years.
-What did you two educators do during the closure?
We held modeling classes such as the "Hermit Crab Program" at the Sonoda temporary base "PLOT 48". Taking advantage of the space's different appearance from the museum, we also prepared a program that parents and children could participate in, and many people participated.
Takiguchi: I organized about 30,000 pieces of film that had been carefully stored and recorded activities going back 30 years. I checked the condition of the film and compiled it while looking back at the important records of the workshop.
Through this project, we can feel something new by seeing the children's work and their efforts. I think we will be able to offer new programs that are born from this in the future.
I want to try it myself! Cherish that feeling
-The "Everyone's Free Zone" will start in November.
This is a program where you can freely experience creating with three materials: Sonoda clay, paint, and paper. These three materials are the ones we have mainly used so far, and are suitable for children to see, touch, and try for themselves.
Children can see the big lumps of clay just coming out of the kneading machine, poke them with their fingers, knead them, roll them, and shape them... I'm sure adults will want to give it a try too (laughs).
Takiguchi: Soft clay is really interesting.
For parents and children of preschool age, we recommend the "First Time Sculpting Play" event held on weekdays. Children can freely paint with four colors of paint (red, blue, yellow, and white), make colored water, and spend their time relaxing.
- Both of you should wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty! I'd like to participate with my child.
The museum's appeal continues to grow with the addition of a new gallery, an art library that has been moved to the ground floor for easier access, and a cafe and shop facing the Art Plaza. Keep an eye on the evolution of the Yokohama Museum of Art as it powers up ahead of the full-scale opening in February 2025.
Text by Mai Shimura (editor/writer)
Yokohama Museum of Art
Address: 3-4-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Phone number: 045-221-0300
Official website: here
