Wheaton Wednesdays

WheatonArts is open late on two special Wednesdays this summer! Experience the grounds with creative activities designed for the entire family from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Highlights include design contests in the Glass & Pottery Studios, special exhibit tours in the Museum of American Glass and Folklife Center, free family art activities, a campus-wide scavenger hunt, live music, and more.

Wheaton Wednesday dates are free to the public, part of WheatonArts Family Days! Presented by PNC Arts Alive!

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Butterfly Tent

Hosted by Rutgers Master Gardeners, the butterfly tent experience invites you to learn about the lifecycle of butterflies and experience the sensation of being surrounded by live butterflies. Our knowledgeable Rutgers Master Gardeners will share their knowledge about the stages of a butterfly's life—from egg to caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult. Discover the critical role butterflies play in our ecosystem and how you can help support their conservation at home. Enjoy the rare opportunity to see these fascinating insects up close and take memorable photos. Perfect for all ages!

Down Jersey Folklife Center

In the Ceremonies in Circles exhibit, discover traditional West African masks, garments, woodcarvings, and ceremonial objects used in special rituals and community celebrations.

Take a Themed Docent Tour

Experience a 30-minute docent tour exploring the different themes from the Ceremonies in Circles exhibit.

4 p.m. - "African Masquerade"
6 p.m. - "Moving in Circles"

Glass Studio

11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Design a Glass Mask Contest

The Folklife Center's exhibit Ceremonies in Circles is meant to inspire a meaningful dialogue about the significance of cultural heritage in our region's multicultural landscape. Design a mask that tells a story about a ritual or celebration significant to you and your family. Our Glass Studio Team will sculpt select designs out of molten glass! Bring your designs to the Studio each hour before 6 p.m. for a chance to watch your vision come to life!

Pottery Studio

Stop by the Pottery Studio to see wet clay sculpted into beautiful and functional works of art throughout the day. Ask to take a kiln tour while you're there!

Bird Bath Design Contest
Let your creativity soar by submitting a ceramic bird bath design for our ceramic artists to make! At the end of the day, one adult and one child design will be picked to be reproduced in clay. Winners will receive the final piece after it's glazed and kiln fired around 2-3 weeks later.

Museum of American Glass

Visit the Museum for special tours of the new exhibition, Centuries of Tomfoolery: Trick Glasses, Pipes, & Whimsical Delights. Discover how contemporary glassmakers use practical archaeology to understand Renaissance drinking games and party tricks. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the whimsical animals and toys from the past.

Guided Exhibit Tours
Experience a 30-minute docent tour of the Centuries of Tomfoolery exhibit.
Time: 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.

Free Family Art Activities

Sidewalk Chalk Station
The Chalk Engagement Station, created by the WheatonArts Teen Arts Council, is an interactive installation constructed from repurposed pallets, coated with vibrant chalkboard paint. This creative space invites visitors of all ages to express themselves by drawing directly on the pallet walls. With an array of colorful chalk at their disposal, participants can transform the station into a dynamic, ever-evolving canvas of community creativity.

Butterfly Stick Puppets & Monarch Lifecycle Coloring Page
Color while learning about the fascinating stages of a monarch butterfly's life cycle and create beautiful butterfly puppets with vibrant colors and intricate designs using cardstock, crayons, and craft sticks.

Easel Art Using Pastels

Experiment with blending, layering, and shading techniques as you create your own pastel composition. Our instructor will guide you through the basics while allowing plenty of room for imaginative expression.

Education Studio

11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Fused Glass Magnet, Pendant, or Suncatcher
fee-based
Create a fused glass magnet, pendant, or suncatcher beginning with pre-fused glass blanks. 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 firing your fused glass, our artists will attach a bail, magnet, or leather cord, depending on your project choice. In one week, 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.

Gallery of Fine Craft Trunk Shows

Chris Coffman
Visit WheatonArts' Flamework Artist Chris Coffman in the Gallery of Fine Craft as she showcases her newest glass jewelry collection. Each earring, bracelet, and necklace for sale is handmade by Chris using a torch.

Music on the Grounds

11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Chris Lax
3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - The Rollers

Food Vendors

Creeks Edge BBQ
Frosbite
SnowChi Peruvian Cuisine