HalloWheaton

HalloWheaton and The Multiverse of African Cultural Heritage

This event is rain or shine, scare-free, & family-friendly!

Find out why this event has become a local family tradition! Trick-or-Treat in your Halloween costume throughout the WheatonArts campus to meet & take photos with traditional costumed characters played by the talented Mystic Realms actors. Stop by our community partner booths for various activities & games, including Champions of Hope, Cumberland County Library, Cumberland County Habitat for Humanity, Cumberland County Historical Society, Ocean City Library, and Tori's Critters.

Down Jersey Folklife Center

Join us for a day to explore The Multiverse of African Cultural Heritage in our region through narrated presentations of ceremonies, ritual mask dances, drumming and traditional crafts. The activities will highlight the cultural heritage of the African communities as well as those whose cultures have been influenced by African history, traditions, and aesthetics, including those from the Caribbean islands, Central and South America. The Honoring Our Ancestors theme of the day emphasizes historic connections between cultures celebrating Ancestral Connections, Halloween or Day of the Dead. Various displays and hands-on demonstrations in traditional arts, such as woodcarving, drum and mask making, dance garments, shekere traditions and hair braiding, will provide creative experiences and a deeper understanding of the various forms of African cultural heritage. All activities on that day aim to encourage a cross-cultural exchange of knowledge, ideas, and skills, thus inspiring conversations about beliefs, aesthetics and artistic expressions that have shaped the unique multicultural landscape of our area.

Glassmaking Demonstrations

Join us in the Glass Studio throughout the day for mesmerizing displays of various hot glass processes. Watch as the Glass Studio Team manipulates hot molten glass with unconventional tools, such as pumpkins and seasonal gourds, to produce visually stunning sculptural objects!

Free Family Art Activities

Celebrate the colorful fall season with the following complimentary hands-on crafting activities that all ages can enjoy. All materials are supplied and projects can be taken home the same day!

Friendly Ghost Pom Pom Popper: Get ready for a spook-tacular fun & friendly adventure with our Friendly Ghost Pom Pom Popper craft activity! This imaginative DIY project is perfect for kids and the young-at-heart who love to combine creativity with a touch of ghostly charm. These adorable, ghostly figures can shoot colorful pom poms across the room for hours of entertainment!

Witch's Spell Activity Sheet: Embrace the enchanting world of magic & mystery with our "Witch's Spell Activity Sheet." This activity will ignite the imaginations of budding sorcerers & sorceresses of all ages! Let your inner witch or wizard soar as you craft your own spell.

Make-Your-Own Fused Glass

Design your own fall-inspired fused glass magnet, pendant, or suncatcher in the Education Studio! These fun fused glass projects are available for ages 5 & up (with parental assistance). Using pre-fused glass blanks, small pre-cut pieces of glass, and an assortment of accessory glass, create a design to be tack fused. We will fire your design and attach a bail, magnet, or leather cord, depending on your project choice. In 7-10 business days, completed glass projects will be ready to pick up or ship (for a fee). This glass fusing activity has a discounted fee of $10 per magnet/pendant and $20 per suncatcher.

This event is scare-free and family-friendly. Admission to HalloWheaton is FREE, part of the "WheatonArts Family Days! Presented by PNC Arts Alive!" program. This event includes access to the Museum of American Glass, Down Jersey Folklife Center, Artist Studios, and Museum Stores.