WS Chronicle

The Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem, 390 South Liberty St., has opened “Kaleidoscape,”  a crocheted, climbing art installation created by renowned Japanese textile artist Toshiko Horiuchi-MacAdam. The innovative art playscape has been installed on the Children’s Museum’s outdoor patio.

Similar crocheted Toshiko Horiuchi-MacAdam art playscapes have been installed in Japan, China and Spain, and the Children’s Museum is honored to receive the first crocheted art installation in the United States from this award-winning artist.

Horiuchi-MacAdam noted, “I have spent decades creating these tremendous playscapes and the joy that the children experience while playing on them gives me purpose.”

“‘Kaleidoscape’ is a true collaboration of art and play” said Elizabeth Dampier, executive director of the Children’s Museum. “In light of current research highlighting the benefits of art, education and play, the Museum continues to serve the children of the community through projects that directly address issues of local and national importance.”

According to the Museum, educators, parents and education professionals are attentive to the growing body of research linking the time children spend playing with improved health, wellness and behavior. Research also suggests that play and down time may be as important to a child’s academic experience as reading, science and math. Reduced playtime has certainly reduced child activity rates, which has short-term and longer-term health implications.

In the past four decades, U.S. children have lost an average of 12 hours per week in free time, specifically, a 25 percent decrease in play, a trend that disproportionately impacts minority and disadvantaged children.

“Kaleidoscape” provides the ongoing opportunity for families and school children to engage with ever-changing, self-directed, compelling play and this large, outdoor playscape encourages physical activity, group play and social interactions among young children.

Learn more at childrensmuseumofws.org.