Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose to Present LIGHT: A HOLIDAY WORKSHOP

This December visitors to Children's Discovery Museum will experience light in a whole new light. As part of the museum's Creativity Through the Arts Initiative that works with local and national artists, Adventures in Light: A Holiday Workshop will transform the museum space and visitor experience. The theme of the temporary installation changes annually and this year's spectacular offering encourages children and adults to engage with light in all its brilliant forms. The exhibit opens December 19 and runs through January 4. Created by a nationally recognized theatre artist, two local visual artists, the Santa Clara University Art Club, and museum staff, this immersive exhibition throughout the museum is being partially built by employees from high-tech firms including VMware, LinkedIn, PwC, Adobe Systems and Samsung whom are eager to give back during the holidays.

"Children's Discovery Museum has always excelled at addressing the changing needs of children and families. As formal arts education has diminished from public schools, we've increased our arts programming," said Marilee Jennings, the museum's executive director. "This annual installation is one example of our Creativity Through the Arts Initiative. Several years ago, the board made the decision to use the increase in the TOT hotel tax to fund artists who not only create programs and exhibits, but also help train our staff to engage with children and families in new and imaginative ways."

ShadowDreamScape

Conceptualized by artist-in-residence, Megan Flod Johnson, a nationally recognized theatre artist and children's museum specialist from Minnesota, and brought to life by the Museum's education and exhibit staff, ShadowDreamScape is performance art for the youngest of "hipsters" using shadow, light, and illusion. Starting with a dream narrative, local performers will engage visitors in play and performance by inviting them to become one or more of the five captivating characters - a moth, hand, figure, rabbit and tangle.

Night Light

Visitors are encouraged to unplug and leave the city behind as they explore the wonder of bioluminescence, including "fish that glow." Originally bred to detect oceanic pollution, these fluorescent fish and the tank and supplies were donated by GloFish. Visitors can trek through a full-sizedExploration Cave glowing with life, explore a Cozy Campsite to try one's hand at shadow puppetry or story time, assemble masterpieces at the rock-building station, and chase fireflies at the nearby pond. Night Light is the vision of Museum floor staff Zack Garban and Krista Warner, in cooperation with the entire floor staff team, demonstrating that creativity is a key value at every level of the organization.

Through the Lens

At the intersection of art, science, and history is the self-directed Through the Lens, featuring Motion Magic, Reflection Boxes, and Camera Obscura. Using one's body to interact with projector images in Motion Magic, all ages can produce dazzling patterns and designs on the floor and walls. With Reflection Boxes, visitors can create uniquely personal expressions of sparkling, swirling light and custom craft a pair of multi-colored glasses to alter the patterned lights. Designed by two local artists, David Jankeso, who works in sculpture and photography, and Adam Donnelley, whose work focuses on alternative photographic processes, the Camera Obscura area expresses "refraction in action." Visitors can learn first-hand the fascinating beginnings of photography and cameras.

Light Inspired Installations Throughout the Museum

In the center of the museum street will hang the stunning sculpture, "Look Up," conceptualized and created by the Santa Clara University Art Club. Using recycled candy tins, water bottles and window blinds, and wire, glue and steel, the luminous piece is designed to recreate a magical experience of looking into the sky watching winter's first snowfall - something many California children may have never experienced. The team assembled found and recycled items in a series of "Maker Nights" and "Maker Days" before working through the installation methods.

The natural light flowing through the wall-size window panels make a perfect backdrop for a series of installations created by Discovery Youth,Museum staff, and volunteers. Recycled water bottles become glistening snowflakes, old CD's transform into sparkling crystal strands, and discarded window vinyl find new life as a stained glass-inspired creation.

About Children's Discovery Museum

With over 150 interactive exhibits and programs, Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose (CDM) is one of the largest museums of its kind in the nation. Since opening its doors in 1990, CDM has welcomed over 7 million visitors and has offered new exhibits each year that respond to children's diverse educational needs. The striking 52,000 square foot purple building was designed by Mexico City-based architect Ricardo Legorreta and is a beacon of discovery. Encompassing the broad themes of community, connections and creativity, hands-on exhibits invite self-directed, open-ended explorations. For more information about the Museum, visit www.cdm.org.

Admission to Adventures in Light: A Holiday Workshop is included in the price of a museum ticket.

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