Say “crafts,” and you might think of quilting, woodwork or even robotics. But how about handmade lace, “tramp art” or Erector sets?
Generations of creations come to life in Creative Hands: Busy Hands, a new Plymouth Historical Museum exhibit open till June 14. It sets the art of centuries past next to artwork by local artists ages 5-90.
The idea is to pique kids’ interest in making things – from antique handmade fishing lures to cool new photography by local eighth graders. And, says exhibit coordinator Mary Thackston, show how timeless art is. “People love to be creative,” she says. “They always have been and they always will be.”
You’ll see that in watercolor paintings, intricately carved ivory items, crochet and small geometric wooden novelties (the tramp art).
Displays also include sculpture, blown glass, needlework, dolls, swing sets – and a working robot made by a Canton club, contrasted with old metal building toys.
“It shows how children have learned to build things,” Thackston says, “and that technology has advanced from simple toys to really complicated things.”
Kids even “card” wool and touch a loom from the 1930s – then create some of their own chalk-and-crayon art at activity tables to hang up on a special wall.
Honest Abe
This museum also has a big Abraham Lincoln exhibit! Celebrate his Feb. 12 birthday by checking it out. It has:
- A lock of Lincoln’s hair
- Toys from the era
- An 1860 Lincoln “life mask”
- A Lincoln and Hamlin presidential campaign banner
Plymouth Historical Museum
Address: 155 S. Main St., Plymouth
Hours: 1-4 p.m. Wednesday and Friday-Sunday (closed most holidays)
Cost: $5/adults, $2/students ages 6-17, free/kids 5 and under
Contact: 734-455-8940, plymouthhistory.org
Watercolor animal print Mary Kehoe
