Did you know that Joslyn visits Nebraska Medicine every month to offer Museum-related activities for pediatric patients? Art is sWELL encourages children who are able to make their way to a common room, to gather along with family members to look at images of artworks from Joslyn’s permanent collections and do a related art project. Participants share in friendly conversation while exploring their own creativity and having artful fun. Supply kits are assembled and delivered to hospital rooms of children who are unable to join the group.
The act of making art helps transcend the hardships of life. All of the children and families that participate in Art is sWELL experience life-threatening medical conditions. I go each month knowing that the art making experience that these children and their care givers have will provide a bright spot in their time at the hospital. However, many times it is the children who have brightened my day. Take Ken for example – Ken came to the art room and I introduced myself and we worked on a mosaic tile design together. Ken had lots of questions and created a beautiful piece of art that he planned to give to his mother. At the end of our time together he looked at me and said, “Thanks Tom Tom!” It is moments like my time with Ken that keep me appreciative of every art experience I have with the children and families at Nebraska Medicine.
Art is sWell is just one of our many programs designed to serve Youth and Families at Joslyn Art Museum. From Art Works, our hands-on multimedia space at the Museum to KickstART Saturday, a program offered six times a year free to the public, that engages families with hands-on activities, performances and demonstrations, there are multiple opportunities for even our youngest visitors to connect with art.
Tom Simons,
Youth & Family Programs Manager