With climate change dominating today’s news cycles, artists often send powerful messages to society about the environment through their work. Children will learn about Agnes Denes, whose 1982 installation Wheatfield — A Confrontation featured a fully functioning wheatfield in an abandoned landfill in the heart of downtown Manhattan. It was here where Denes called attention to the misplaced priority of Americans, including food instability, energy, the economy, and ecological concerns. Children will take inspiration from Denes’ efforts and design a new city plan where plants, trees, and crops can breathe and thrive.
About Open Studio
Open Studio at Pier 57 invites children to explore hands-on projects across a wide range of artistic disciplines. Each session introduces children to the elements and principles of art while surveying artists across generations and continents.
Specially designed for children on the Autism Spectrum but welcoming to all, each session is multisensory focused. Participants will explore art materials (such as clay, paper, or textiles) at their own pace alongside movement breaks and ample time for storytelling and social interaction.
Open Studio is recommended for ages 12 & under.
What To Expect
This activity takes place in the Community Classrooms at Pier 57, located just beyond the food hall.
The program’s curriculum is rooted in accessible artmaking practices and Children’s Museum of the Arts’ pedagogy of Look, Make, Share. Take a peek at one of our virtual Inclusives lessons, catered to children with Autism, that families can try at home: here!
Please be advised this is not a dropoff session. While caregivers are welcome to stay with their children, families are encouraged to enjoy the extraordinary setting of Pier 57 in the adjacent Family Living Room for the duration of the session. Caregivers are advised to remain on the premises while children are working.
Image Credit: Agnes Denes with Wheatfield –– A Confrontation. Two acres of wheat planted and harvested by the artist on the Battery Park landfill, Manhattan, Summer 1982. Commissioned by Public Art Fund. Photo by John McGrall. Courtesy the artist and Leslie Tonkonow Artworks + Projects.
Children's Museum of the Arts' Open Studio at Pier 57 is generously supported by the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, Ruth Foundation for the Arts, William Talbott Hillman Foundation, The LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation, Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, Google Community Grants Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harriet Ames Charitable Trust, The Cowles Charitable Trust, and the Viniar Family Foundation.
Additional support is provided, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.