Open Late on Wednesday, August 14!
FREE Admission from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
WheatonArts is open late for our second Wheaton Wednesday event! Highlights include a LARGE-scale glass pumpkin blowing demonstration with ice cream treats in the Glass Studio, a “Tools of the Trade” curatorial touch cart & director tours of the Emanation 2019 exhibit in the Museum of American Glass, glass bubble blowing experiences, free & fee-based family art activities, Museum Store food tastings & door prizes, dinner at the GateHouse Cafe, and more!
This new event is part of WheatonArts’ “Family Days! Presented by PNC Arts Alive!“
Glass Studio
Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Watch live demonstrations and interact with the artists throughout the day in the Glass Studio. Narrated demonstrations will happen at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
Blow a Glass Bubble!
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Experience what it feels like to Blow a Glass Bubble! During this quick experience, a glass blower will bring you a small gather of glass on a blowpipe. They will then instruct you how to position your mouth on the pipe and how to force air down the pipe, thereby expanding the glass. You will blow until your bubble pops! A physical piece will NOT be kept at the end. This experience is FREE and open to the public.
Special Narrated Demonstration: Large Glass Pumpkins
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Watch as our glassblowers demonstrate how glass pumpkins are made in a BIG way! This narrated demonstration is accompanied by a special glass pumpkin giveaway. Be sure to be in the Studio at 7:30 p.m. when the winner is announced! Door prize forms will be collected all day. Must be present to win.
Ice Cream Sundaes for Sale in the Glass Studio!
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Enjoy the hot glass demo with a cold treat! Visit our pop-up Sundae Bar in the Glass Studio. Two scoops and your choice of toppings for $3 each. All proceeds support Educational Programming at WheatonArts. A special thank you to our donors, Blinker’s Custard, Flipper’s Custard, and Verona Custard!
Museum of American Glass
Director’s Tour of Emanation 2019
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Arrive early at the Museum of American Glass to view a 30 minute video presentation of Martha McDonald and Laura Baird’s “Phantom Frequencies” performance. Then join the Museum’s Director of Exhibitions and Collections, Kristin Qualls for a tour of the Emanation 2019 exhibit, curated by Julie Courtney. Learn how these unique installations connect South Jersey’s glass tradition to the contemporary art scene.
2:30 p.m. Docent Tour: If you can’t make the Director’s tour, there will also be a docent tour showcasing American made glass from the Colonial Era to the present.
“Tools of the Trade” Curatorial Touch Cart: Available all day, explore the tools used by glassblowers both past and present to create handmade objects with hot glass.
Scavenger Hunts: Adults and children alike can explore the Museum exhibits with our scavenger hunts! Ollie the Oyster will guide smaller children on an adventure through the Museum while adults can explore this year’s Emanation 2019 exhibit with a new hunt.
Pottery & Flamework Studios
Open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Visit our Artist Studios to connect with the WheatonArts’ resident and volunteer artists! Watch live demonstrations and interact with the artists throughout the day. Ask them about upcoming classes they will be offering in the fall!
Hands-on Family Art Activities
(both free and fee-based)
Chinese Red Envelope Paper Lantern
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: FREE!
Location: Down Jersey Folklife Center
Experience the art of making Chinese paper lanterns. During this mini-workshop, we will guide you through the steps to create both a two-tiered paper lantern using decorative Chinese red envelopes and a mini paper lantern with red cardstock & yarn. All materials are provided, available while supplies last. No experience is required, open to ages 6 & above. Children, age 6 to 11 must be accompanied by an adult for the entirety of the class.
Fused Glass Pendants or Magnets
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Experience Fee: $10 per person (event discount)
Location: Education Studio
Create your own fused glass pendant or magnet! Begin with a pre-fused glass blank, then using small pre-cut pieces of glass and an assortment of accessory glass, including frit and stringers, create a design to be “tack fused.” After your glass is fired, our artists will glue a bail to the back. Completed projects will be ready to be picked up or shipped (for a fee), within one week.
Baubles & Beads: Jewelry Design
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Experience Fee: $5 per person
Location: Classroom (next to the Pottery Studio)
Create your own bracelet or decorative keychain while be guided by our jewelry artists. An assortment of beads and findings will be available for you to choose from!
Carve a Mini Clay Pumpkin!
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Experience Fee: $15 per pumpkin
Location: Pottery Studio
Learn how to carve a jack-o-lantern using high-fire clay! Our Ceramic Artists will guide you through the process of carving and embellishing your own clay pumpkins in this mini hands-on workshop. Pumpkins will be bisque fired and can be picked up within two to three weeks (Or come back during our Festival of Fine Craft event on October 5 & 6 to pick up your pumpkin!) Your bisqued pumpkin can then be painted at home with acrylic paints.
Shop the Museum Stores
Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Special event coupons will be available at the Gate.
General Store: Sample ready-to-make dips, unique jams, and a special shrub drink from Tait Farms! Purchase Tait Farms products in the General Store. Items may change seasonally.
The Brownstone Holiday Shop: Begin your holiday decorating and gift shopping now with unique and handmade items, all from the U.S.A.
- Beat the heat! Indoor seating available 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for lunch & dinner.
- Ask about our Brownstone Rental Package! Building available for rent for small gatherings. First time renter special from now through December.
The Gallery of Fine Craft: Stop in to check our new textile boutique!
- Get a sneak a peek at the newest Glass Pumpkin colors! A select amount of never-before-seen blown glass pumpkins will be available in each store. Enter to win a WheatonArts Glass Pumpkin! Make a purchase in a Museum Store during Wheaton Wednesday for a chance to win. Up to three entries allowed per customer (one per store). The lucky prize winner’s name will be pulled Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. You need not be present to win.
Lunch & Dinner at the GateHouse Cafe
11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Picnic on the grounds with a family-friendly menu including organic and vegetarian options. Take a stroll with a yummy ice cream snack and try one of our new shrub flavored drinks!
