Space Inspiring Wonder, Awe, and Respite Opens at Children’s Museum
Redesigned Wonder Room at DuPage Children’s Museum Opens as a Calming Nature-Inspired Space. (Naperville, IL)... On Friday, December 15, 2023, DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM) held the opening celebration for the redesigned Wonder Room. As a calming, nature-inspired space, the Wonder Room offers guests a place to pause for some respite while being inspired and feeling a sense of awe. The project started with conversations involving several of the Museum’s community partners. DCM held focus groups with organizations that serve people with sensory needs and Museum member families who attend Adaptive Play Time – dedicated Museum hours that provide a modified environment for play and learning intended for families with disabilities, on the autism spectrum, and/or sensory processing disorders. Through these listening sessions, it became clear that a calming space where guests could have a sense of quiet wonder amidst the exciting Museum experiences was needed.
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The ideas of wonder and playful nature experiences took several twists and turns through the exhibit development process. DCM’s Arts & Maker Specialist, Dustin Thacker, led this project, working with the Museum exhibits and graphics teams, Squawk Productions video design company, and local artist Rachel Davis. “We’ve been busy dreaming up and creating a brand new Wonder Room,” Thacker said. “We look forward to all guests finding a moment of peace in this thoughtful and beautifully designed space.” The outcome offers a truly immersive experience. Upon entering the space, guests are met with tranquil music, dimmed lighting, and images of landscapes projected on the wall. The video design was implemented by Squawk Productions, a video production company specializing in outstandingly creative content. “While creating the visuals for the Wonder Room, we took inspiration from all the textures the Midwest landscape has to offer. We wanted to play with scale, projecting what it feels like to experience all of these natural elements up close while also celebrating the patterns and beauty nature offers from a distance. By interacting with the tactile panels, viewers are welcome to combine and overlay these elements - such as stones and clouds or tree bark and shooting stars - to create their own, unique landscapes,” Sam and Caitlin of Squawk Productions shared.
In addition to the tactile sensory panels activating the overlay of images, the room is filled with natural wonder. Loose parts in the exhibit add more hands-on play, while the beautifully lit sound panel mural and hand-crafted live-edge bench extenuate the dreamy, yet grounded, feel of the room. A bookshelf full of nature-inspired reading and big squishy seating round out the room as a relaxing place for quiet contemplation. The opening of the redesigned Wonder Room was celebrated with many friends of the Museum including Naperville’s Mayor Scott Wehrli as well as City Council members and legislators Congressman Bill Foster and State Representative Janet Yang-Rohr. Special guests, students from Little Friends in Warrenville, were among the first children invited to play. Lori Deichstetter, Vice President of Educational Services, Little Friends, observed that some of their most difficult-to-engage students were actively involved in exploring the different elements of the Wonder Room.
DCM has something for everyone! Visit DuPage Children’s Museum and experience the Wonder Room for yourself. dupagechildrens.org
The Wonder Room is supported by the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation and a grant from City of Naperville Special Events and Community Arts (SECA) Fund.
