UM-Flint student transforms UCEN gallery into interactive, child-friendly art exhibit

While things already look a little different in the University of Michigan-Flint's Harding Mott University Center this fall following a recent renovation, its art gallery, located on the first floor, has undergone some fun changes too.

The transformation comes courtesy of Rachel Landes, a senior design major from Owosso, who has turned the space into a temporary "Alice in Wonderland" themed exhibit titled "Down the Rabbit Hole." Landes said the exhibit is a cumulative showcase of everything that she's learned so far in ART 392: Portfolio Development. 

"I'm not only showing off my design skills, but I'm also showing off my communication coordination, organizational skills and grant writing skills," said Landes.

Landes received a $500 grant from the 2023 College of Arts & Sciences Opportunity Fund in order to carry out the design and construction of her exhibit. The fund supports otherwise unfunded activities and projects that enhance education, scholarship, creativity, community engagement, and service. Grants range from $50 to $500, and applications are open to all CAS students, staff and faculty.

Landes said that her exhibit is also a reflection of how she harnessed her passions and applied them to her coursework. 

"I love reading, working with kids, being creative and the overall personalized experience that this exhibit has to offer. Interactive exhibits let people really connect with the subject matter."

She also constructed the exhibit drawing from knowledge gained from one of her previous childhood education classes.

"I wanted to create an environment that showcased not only my abilities but also the creativity of Wonderland in order to stimulate play. I also had to consider which possible play experiences could be created as well."

Landes said that her idea started off small but snowballed into an interactive exhibit that includes a climbing wall, slide, a color-changing rosebush, handsewn dress-up costumes and a teacup stacking station. According to Landes, including a variety of elements was important to create an environment that encourages constructive, imaginative, sensory and physical play. "Every kid plays differently, and I wanted to make sure that I had an exhibit that accommodates the needs and preferences of as many kids as I could," she said.

The exhibit also provides kids with unique playing and learning experiences as well.

"Kids learn from playing because they can either collect information in different forms, like puzzles or game-type play, or by listening to a story in fantasy-type play," said Landes.

For example, the dress-up costumes represent fantasy play. Landes and her mom created costumes for Alice, the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and the Queen of Hearts. "We constructed costumes based on aprons, so that they are one-size-fits-all and can accommodate all children," she said. "We wanted the costumes to reflect each respective character's personality in a unique way, and we're both proud of how they turned out."

The exhibit is open, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., through Oct. 27.

To learn more about the UM-Flint art and design program, visit its website.