The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage announces the highly anticipated Cleveland premiere of Chagall for Children, which explores the work of one of the best-known and most-loved artists of the 20th century, Marc Chagall.  Hands-on and interactive, 14 multi-sensory exploration stations have been designed to specifically engage children ages 2–12.  Each station features a high-quality reproduction of one of Marc Chagall’s works and encourages exploration of art principles such as color, composition, light, and texture.  The exhibit will run through August 28, 2022.

Chagall for Children is a unique exhibition created by Kohl Children’s Museum and features over a dozen Chagall masterpieces, all accompanied by hands-on interactive elements that allow children to express their own creativity.  “Chagall was such a whimsical artist,” said KCM President & CEO Sheridan Turner.  “Young children immediately pick up on the fanciful and unusual aspects of his work.  He really appeals to children’s senses of wonder and fantasy.” 

Each piece of artwork includes an audio recording that gives guests information about the piece.  After learning some background information about the work, they can take part in a hands-on activity related to the artwork.

These imaginative activities are as varied as Chagall’s works.  For example, a fabric rendition of Chagall’s “The Rooster” lets children rearrange the bird’s colorful tail feathers.  A bas-relief of “The Birthday” allows guests to make rubbings of the artwork to take home.  “The Poultry Yard” offers various soft-sculpture animal parts that children can mix and match to create their own fantastical animals.

At different stations throughout the exhibition, guests can create mosaics, weave tapestries, use touch screens to digitally alter Chagall’s masterpieces, conduct symphonies, and—through the magic of video—even insert themselves into one his paintings.  After these hands-on experiences, guests can curl up in a reading nook stocked with children’s books about Chagall’s life and work.

Hours & pricing: Visitors can explore the Chagall for Children exhibition at the Maltz Museum, Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through timed ticketing which must be purchased in advance at www.maltzmuseum.org or by phone at 216-593-0575.  General: $12, students & seniors: $10, children 5–11: $5, children under 5 and Maltz Museum members are free.

Public Programs: This summer, to accompany the special exhibition, the Maltz Museum will be hosting unique programming for all ages.  Monthly family-fun programs on Sundays, will cost just $5 per person.  Plus, guests can join the Maltz Museum and its partners for a weekly storytime every Thursday morning, then stay and play in the hands-on exhibition, designed for kids to touch the art!  Adult audiences can enjoy a series of lectures examining Marc Chagall’s art in the context of 20th century history and, with partner Spirit of Clay Art Studio, three art workshops will be offered off site, for ages 12–112. 

For more information or to register, visit www.maltzmuseum.org.