Visitors will have a chance to paint the museum red – and orange, yellow, green and blue – on Saturday at the Michigan Science Center.
Colorosity: The Annual Science Soirée will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 24, 2015 at the Detroit center, where guests of all ages will be invited to get a little messy while exploring and experimenting with color.
The color-themed event, which will raise funds to benefit MiSci’s programs, will feature live art, music, a strolling dinner, a cash bar with colorful cocktails and more.
The event is geared toward families and the “young at heart,” says Dr. Tonya Matthews, CEO and president of the Michigan Science Center.
“Because of the environment that we have and what we can do we realized we could actually create an all-ages, hands-on interactive fundraiser,” Matthews says. “We’re really excited.”
One of the many colorful activities planned is a live art experience by MiSci’s artist-in-residence Timothy Orikri, who will help participants contribute to a large mosaic of color. The completed work of art will be on display at the museum through the holidays.
“He does amazing work but he was willing to work with us to create an original work of art and then let us cut it into pieces so that other people could actually get in on his genius, which is really, really generous,” Matthews says. “That’s one of the things that I’m really looking forward to.”
Other featured activities include eight interactive experiences using scientific reactions to produce explosions of color, 10 immersive stations illuminating light and color, five color psychology stations and some special hands-on activities just for kids.
Matthews is also excited about the Digital Bling Bar, where participants can make ornaments and accessories like belt buckles, rings and bow ties and learn how to put together a simple LED circuit.
“They will be able to incorporate that into the accessories that they make,” she says.
Guests can also take part in an “Ask the Expert” presentation with Axalta color marketing manager Nancy Lockhart and enjoy performances by the Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy.
Proceeds from the event will go directly to support Michigan Science Center efforts such as the STEMinista Project, which focuses on getting more girls and young women interested in science, technology, engineering and math. Other programs include Sponsors of Science, which helps groups and schools visit the science center.
“At this point we are serving nearly 170,000 children and families per year,” Matthews says. “All of the proceeds from Colorosity are going to support the things that we do.”
The dress code for Saturday’s event is “creative dressy casual,” Matthews says. Water-based paint and other “messy” materials will be used but splash zones will be marked and lab coats are available, she says.
“It’s worth the trip down here,” Matthews says. “The construction cones are not as bad as you think.”
Tickets are priced at $125 for adults and $50 for kids. VIP tickets cost $200 for adults and $75 for kids. See the Metro Parent listing for more information on Colorosity: The Annual Science Soirée at the Michigan Science Center.
Photo courtesy of the Michigan Science Center
