Year One In the Creativity Labs
The Kathleen Compton Sherrerd and Laporte Family Creativity Labs have been abuzz with energy since the Museum opened last October. “The reactions of visitors have been truly amazing,” Creativity Labs Supervisor Estefany Morrison reflected. “Visitors of all ages have spent hours in the labs exploring, playing, and making—not only making art but also making connections.” The labs have become a meet-up destination for friends and families, a place for students to gather, and a creative respite for unwinding after a busy day. Many visitors are regular patrons, incorporating art-making sessions into their weekly routines.
Photo: Kristina Giasi
Over the last year, the Creativity Labs staff have welcomed roughly thirty thousand visitors, presented custom workshops in collaboration with more than a dozen local artists, and provided more than 1,500 hours of open studio time. A typical day could feature an early-morning class of schoolchildren crafting mixed-media “food” that expresses their own culinary traditions after a gallery tour. Later that morning, following a group discussion in the galleries, students from a University course might make their way to the labs to create their own zine. That afternoon, visitors drop in for open studio hours, some staying for a few minutes and others for more than an hour. That evening, the Creativity Labs team prepares for a workshop led by a local artist.
To support the high volume of visitors and various programs, Morrison oversees a team of ten Creativity Labs facilitators who manage the day-to-day operations, welcoming visitors, introducing activities, and inviting conversation. The facilitators listen and provide support as well as encouragement. All practicing artists, designers, and educators, they bring their knowledge and skills to the labs and help with the development of featured activities. Rutgers art history graduate student Caitlyn Kercado shared, “Working here comes with a great sense of fulfillment. I get to watch people create, explore, and enjoy themselves. The best part is that we get to make art accessible for both campus and local communities. One of my favorite things is creating relationships with visitors, especially frequent visitors.” Another facilitator, Luke Dimitrov-Kuhl, noted, “So far, the most fulfilling thing has been reminding guests, adults especially, that they are able to engage in the arts! . . . Reconnecting with your creativity as an adult is so important for emotional and mental well-being, and the arts can truly liberate you from so much negativity. I really try and encourage adults to carry their creativity out of the labs.”
Each Creativity Lab has six surfaces: the floor, ceiling, and four walls. The floor is the foundation—the space where we gather together, collect our ideas and supplies, and dive into making. The floor has developed a distinctive patina: Faint traces of paint and clay and stray stickers signal this is a space for exploration and discovery. Speakers in the ceiling play music from around the world and across the decades. Each of the walls has a distinct purpose. One shares images from the collections and information about the Museum, reminding visitors of the thousands of art objects on view just steps away. One carries a colorful array of art supplies, enticing visitors to try out a variety of materials. One is a wall of full-height windows through which natural light cascades throughout the day, making the labs bright and welcoming. The windows also provide a direct connection to campus and nature. We’ve watched the seasons change in the Creativity Labs, from autumn leaves to winter snow to verdant greenery. The fox that frequents campus has been known to trot by and surprise visitors.
Photo: Kristina Giasi
The final wall is covered in fabric and visitors are welcome to pin up their creations to share with the Museum and future visitors. When the Museum first opened, this wall in both labs was empty. Now they are teeming with an ever-changing rotation of art generously shared by visitors of all ages, featuring works of collage, weaving, drawing, stamping, poetry, and more. Spend a few minutes looking closely and you’ll be amazed at the creativity and depth of care that imbues each work.
Photo: Estefany Morrison
Tables in each room are home to the collaborative projects that are a highlight of the Creativity Labs, inviting visitors to contribute to a larger work of art that reflects the efforts of many hands. Two projects, Community Quilt and Imagination City, have been visitor favorites. Community Quilt—inspired by the many textiles on view in the galleries—invites visitors to create their own collage square to add to the quilt. Imagination City asks participants to collectively design a city using a variety of supplies, including recycled materials. Towers and buildings—replete with gravity-defying features—have emerged, with parks and playgrounds nestled throughout.
Photo: Estefany Morrison
As we reflect on this first year of operations, we are extremely grateful for the creativity and generosity shared by visitors to the labs. Year two will be filled with listening and further experimentation with new activities and formats as we continue to expand our collaborations with campus colleagues, student organizations, and community partners.
Activities in the Creativity Labs are made possible in part by support from the IV Fund.
