Family Program | Nature-Inspired Wallpaper
Design your own wallpaper inspired by the brilliant colors and shapes of fall in New York! Guest artist and educator Joe Baker will demonstrate how to make leaf rubbings and create a repeating pattern.
This activity is inspired by the Unami wallpaper featured in Making Home—Smithsonian Design Triennial. The installation by the Lenape Center with Joe Baker pays tribute to the Lenape people, the original stewards of Lenapehoking land, where the museum is located. The tulip tree, a culturally significant species for the Lenape, is featured in a surrounding wallpaper design, produced in collaboration with Calico Wallpaper.
Drop-in at the museum on the second Saturday of each month for hands-on family activities. Family programs are included in the price of museum admission, and youth 18 and under are always free.
ABOUT THE GUEST DESIGNER
Joe Baker is an artist, educator, curator, and culture bearer who has been working in the field of Native Arts for the past forty years. He is an enrolled member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma and co-founder and executive director of Lenape Center in Manhattan. He is a member of the Simon Whiteturkey family and direct line descendent of distinguished Lenape leaders including Captain White Eyes (Treaty of Fort Pitt 1778) and Tamanend (Treaty of Shackamaxon 1682).
ACCESSIBILITY & WHAT TO EXPECT
- Format: This is a drop-in style workshop for youth ages 5-12 and their adult guardian/family. You will be guided by a guest designer in the activity where you will make a design. All materials will be provided. You can drop in at any time and stay as long as you like. Adults must stay with their youth during the activity and are encouraged to participate. Registration is not required, but first come, first seated.
- About the space: This program will take place in Cooper Hewitt’s Lecture Room on the ground floor of the museum. It is fully wheelchair accessible. There will be group seating at tables. There is an accessible restroom on the same floor. Read more about accessibility at Cooper Hewitt.
- Accommodations: If we can provide services to support your participation, email us at CHEducation@si.edu. Please make your request as far in advance as possible—preferably at least ten days before the program date.
Special Thanks
Design learning at Cooper Hewitt is made possible by The Hirsch Family Foundation, The Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, The Pinkerton Foundation, PwC Charitable Foundation, The Richard and Jean Coyne Family Foundation, with internal Smithsonian Institution funds from the Youth Access Grants for Youth Innovation in Rural America, and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Making Home—Smithsonian Design Triennial is presented in collaboration with Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. This project received federal support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum; the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the National Museum of the American Latino; the Asian Pacific American Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center; and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Generous support is provided by the Henry Luce Foundation and the Terra Foundation for American Art.
Support is also provided by the Lily Auchincloss Foundation; Edward and Helen Hintz; re:arc institute; the Keith Haring Foundation; the Lemberg Foundation; Maharam; and the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts.
