The Strong Museum of Play offers items and displays for adults, too, whether it's the nostalgia factor involved in the cases of toys from yester-decade, or the information essays that come along with so many of the displays. My personal favorite is the ever-changing Whimsical Art Trail, which is geared toward kids in the imaginative artworks and search-for-the-stations aspects, but perhaps appreciated more fully by adults who have to hunt for their playful impulse, buried in stacks of practical tasks. And the super inspirational element is that the items in the trail are created by a revolving array of adult artists.
The newest edition of the Whimsical Art Trail opens Saturday, August 20, with a chance to meet the artists 1-4 p.m. Featured this time around are the imaginative, large-scale balloon sculptures of "airigami" artist Larry Moss, which includes balloon-sculptured interpretations of such classic paintings as the "Mona Lisa," "Whistler's Mother," and "American Gothic." Also featured are Robert Rogalski's otherworldly puppets and fantastical sculptures influenced by "The Hobbit," Jim Henson, and Dr. Seuss; Jennifer Carson, who will display plush fantasy creatures including owls, polliwogs, and elves; and Kelly Cheatle's micro crochet figures (like Yoda standing on a penny!). Cheatle and Moss also collaborated on the "Once Upon a Time" series of balloon sculpture photographs inspired by fairy tales, which are also on display.
The art will remain on display through November 20, and is included in general admission fees: $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $10 for children ages 2-15, and free to children under 2 and members. Museum of Play hours are Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday noon-5 p.m. For more information, call 263-2700, or visit museumofplay.org.
