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Allentown Art Museum
Allentown, PA
Nature’s Palette, a free eight-session summer workshop series presented by the Allentown Art Museum, invited participants to explore local parks and create art from foraged natural materials under the guidance of educator Rain Black. Inspired by the exhibition "Scarlet Poppies and Ultramarine Butterflies: Language of Color," each session focused on a different type of artmaking—such as papermaking, watercolor, fabric dyeing, and cyanotype printmaking—and used materials like berries, leaves, and minerals collected during guided foraging expeditions. Participants received a foraging kit by visiting the museum exhibition beforehand, and sessions were made accessible with provided transportation as well as Spanish and ASL interpretation. The program culminated in a bilingual virtual field guide showcasing safe foraging practices, participant artwork, and QR-linked signage at partner parks to extend public engagement beyond the workshops.
The Allentown Art Museum sought to use artmaking to cultivate a deeper exploration and appreciation of local natural resources, educate at least 240 participants about sustainable foraging practices, and foster advocacy for environmental conservation.
Survey responses indicate that 131 participants found Nature’s Palette both educational and engaging, with 100% of respondents affirming they gained new skills or knowledge. Feedback emphasized the program’s strengths in fostering community connections; offering accessible, hands-on learning experiences; and deepening appreciation for the intersection of art and nature. The overwhelmingly positive responses suggest the program successfully cultivated environmental awareness while providing inclusive and enjoyable creative opportunities.
Museums planning similar off-site programs should allow ample time for travel, setup, and breakdown of artmaking stations—ideally more than 45 minutes—and consider assigning multiple staff members to manage materials and logistics to keep the program running smoothly.
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The Michener Art Museum engaged Grammy Award-winning musician Bill Miller (Munsee-Lenape/Mohican) to perform as well as lead music composition and songwriting workshops centered on themes from the exhibition "Never Broken: Visualizing Lenape Histories."
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