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Things are looking a bit different in the studio projects were inspired by works from the museum’s Chazen docents are excited to offer a new service
classroom at the Chazen Museum of Art these permanent collection. in the galleries. Beginning in the spring 2018
days. The education department is offering new
hands-on classes for art enthusiasts. Called
“Experience Art,” the program emerged from a
partnership between the Chazen and Participatory
Learning and Teaching Organization—PLATO—a
self-directed, volunteer-led, nonprofit affiliated
with UW–Madison’s Division of Continuing
Studies. Over the course of eight weeks, twenty
members of PLATO met with Curator of
Education Candie Waterloo and tried their hands
at a variety of media including printmaking,
sculpture, and painting. Waterloo designed the
course with two things in mind: accessibility and
fun. “Most of my students love art, but don’t feel
equipped to make it. It was important to me that
each student walked away having learned
something while feeling comfortable and confident
in their new skills,” Waterloo said. The weekly
In addition to art-making classes, PLATO
members can enroll in art-appreciation courses at
the Chazen. Longtime docents Annette Felice and
Judith Mjaanes coordinate a team that teaches
these courses throughout the year. In these
sessions, PLATO members enjoy an immersive,
thematic experience through docent-led tours of
the galleries. Chazen docents spend weeks
preparing and designing tours focused on subjects
such as renaissance art, nineteenth-century
portraiture, and twentieth-century glass. By
participating in these classes, PLATO members
have an opportunity to engage in meaningful
conversations with each other and with the
permanent collection. Demand for these courses is
high, in fact wait lists are already full for the next
semester.
semester, visitors may notice “Ask-Me” docents
roaming the galleries a few times a week. The aim
of Ask-Me docents is two-fold: to increase visitor
services throughout the museum and to give
visitors access to additional information about the
works of art on view. Ask-Me docents will be
easily identifiable as they will wear a badge in
addition to a warm and welcoming smile. If you’re
wondering what to ask the docents, remember
what Carl Sagan once said—there is no such thing
as a dumb question. Ask how an artwork is made.
Ask about the subject of an artwork. Ask what it
means. Ask who is depicted in the work of art. Ask
where the restrooms are. Ask for biographical
information about the artist. Ask what makes the
art “art”. Chances are, if you have a question
about something in our galleries, Chazen docents
will have an answer for you. Just ask!
New Programs from the
Education Department