CMOM's May activities throw a spotlight on Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage, exploring how traditions are passed down from one generation to another through food, art, names, puppetry, and storytelling!

Schedule:

Inspired by Food
Take a trip around South and East Asia and the Pacific Islands and explore foods from Vietnam, Nepal, and Hawaii! Learn about the cultural significance behind specific meals from these places, taking from their colors, shapes, textures, and smells to create mixed media artworks as a reminder of the importance of holding traditions!
Wednesday – Sunday, May 1 – 5

Vietnam: Five-Fruit Sculptures
During Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, families assemble a mam qua or five-fruit tray as a symbol of appreciation for their ancestors. Sculpt colorful tissue paper to fill your plate with pretend fruits such as bananas, oranges, persimmons, plums, and kumquat and wish for luck and prosperity in the new year.
Wednesday – Sunday, May 1 – 5 | 10:30am – 4:30pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Nepal: Dal Bhat Tarkari Rice Dish
Use clay and other mixed media materials inspired by the colors and textures of the Nepali dish Dal Bhat Tarkari to sculpt your very own culinary set of dishes and learn more about this delicious meal!
Wednesday – Friday, May 1 – 3 | 3pm – 4pm | Drop-in | All ages | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Hawaii: Poi Pudding Sculptures
Poi is a traditional dish made from taro root—a starchy vegetable with great cultural and mythological significance in the islands of Hawaii. Explore mixing and texture and use art materials inspired by the beautiful purple colors found in poi and the taro root it is made from.
Saturday, May 4 | 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Sunday, May 5 | 11am – 12:30pm & 2:30pm – 3:45pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks I

China: Egg-straordinary Wooden Egg Painting
Egg painting in China holds a rich history and eggs are often gifted during festivals to symbolize luck, prosperity, and new beginnings. Learn traditional egg painting techniques and paint your own wooden egg!
Tuesday – Thursday, May 7 – 9 | 10:30am – 4:30pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Tibet: Tsepdro Lucky Symbol Sculpting
During Losar, the Tibetan New Year, traditional sculptures called tsepdro are made using yak butter. Create a buttery-clay sculpture of lucky symbols to welcome the new year.
Tuesday – Thursday, May 7 – 9 | 3pm – 4pm | Drop-in | All ages | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Still Life Painting
Create an almost 3D painting of someone you love and learn about the 19th century painting technique called impasto. Use palette spatulas and other different tools to lay paint on a canvas.
Friday – Sunday, May 10 – 12 | 2pm – 4:30pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Refrigerator Gallery Magnets
Design a 3D masterpiece perfect for your “refrigerator gallery.”
Friday – Sunday, May 10 – 12 | 11am – 12:30pm & 2:30pm – 3:45pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Blossom Tree Name Installation
Let your creativity blossom and make pink and white blooms adorned with your name.
Tuesday – Sunday, May 14 – 19 | 3pm – 4pm | Drop-in | All ages | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

What’s in a Name Jars
Collage, decorate, and fill your very own name jar with everything that makes you, you.
Tuesday – Friday, May 14 – 17 | 2pm – 4:45pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace
Sunday, May 19 | 2pm – 4:45pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace

That’s My Name: Name Plates
Make a personalized nameplate out of bendable wax to hang up proudly. Find inspiration in the book Alma and How She Got Her Name, a story for those who may be curious about the origins of their names.
Tuesday – Friday, May 14 – 17 | 3pm – 4pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Saturday & Sunday, May 18 – 19 | 11am – 12:30pm & 2:30pm – 3:45pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Interactive Storytime and Meditation: I am a Lotus with Guest Author Anu Seghal
Participate in a lyrical story time led by guest author and educator, Anu Seghal. Learn more about the lotus flower and the importance behind mindfulness.
Saturday, May 18 | 2pm – 3pm | Drop-in | All Ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Indonesia: Wayang Shadow Puppets
Design and construct your own Indonesian Wayang Kulit puppets that used in the oldest form of freestanding puppetry.
Tuesday – Sunday, May 21 – 26 | 3pm – 4pm | Drop-in | All ages | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

India: Kathputli String Puppets
Create your own string puppet inspired by Kathputli puppets from Rajasthan, India using wood and fabric.
Tuesday – Sunday, May 21 – 26 | 2pm – 4:30pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace

China: Dancing Dragon Puppets
The Dragon Dance is a festive performance often seen during the Chinese New Year. Create your own mini dancing dragon puppet, modeled after the giant ones used in the Lunar New Year celebration.
Tuesday – Friday, May 21 – 24 | 3 pm – 4pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Saturday & Sunday, May 25 – 26 | 11am – 12:30pm & 2:30pm – 3:45pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Cherry Blossom Wish Tree Memorial
Write a thoughtful wish for a hero in your life who served in the military, to be installed in CMOM's Tree Memorial.
Monday – Friday, May 27 – 31 | 3pm – 4 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Lotus Flower Pop-up Bouquets
Honor and celebrate heroes by creating a bright lotus pop-up bouquet to show how much these individuals and their services mean to us, and gift one to someone in your community.
Monday – Friday, May 27 – 31 | 2pm – 4:30pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Blossoming Peonies
Embark on a gardening adventure by scooping, sorting, digging, and building with textured materials and flowers.
Monday, May 27 | 11am – 12:30pm & 2:30pm – 3:45pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Tuesday – Friday, May 28 – 31 | 3pm – 4pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks