‘Biggest little thing’: CCPS Mini Museum celebrates huge talent at Chesterfield Towne Center
VENN
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Visiting Chesterfield Towne Center this weekend? Don't forget your magnifying glasses, because tiny art by tiny artists is now on display at the center!
Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) held a ribbon-cutting event on Wednesday, Feb. 25, for the "Mini Museum" exhibition, the world's largest kid-created museum of tiny artworks. Made by pre-K-12 students in the county, the museum showcases the talent and creativity of Chesterfield's youngest artists.
"It's a giant miniature art museum. I have to say it's probably the biggest little thing we've ever done," said Jimi Herd, CCPS visual art curriculum specialist.
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
Standing at 36 feet tall and 5 feet wide, what began as an art design challenge for Chesterfield schools turned into an all-county immersive installation. Herd said he noticed students tend to gravitate toward miniature things and miniature art, so the county worked to combine students' interests with the experience where viewers are surrounded by art.
Chesterfield students were hard at work creating art for the "Mini Museum" after they, along with their teachers, decided on a theme. Herd said the result of the county's art program is exhibiting work.
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
"I think it not only benefits the person who creates it, but art also benefits the person who views it... Art helps the viewer, and it helps the creator," he said.
Wednesday's event was a success, drawing families, art lovers and visitors from all over the county to Chesterfield Towne Center for a walk through the tiny museum.
"Just being here for the last couple of hours, seeing people's facial expressions light up when they see the artwork has been amazing," Herd said. "Seeing the confidence on students' faces as they point out their work to their parents was also amazing."
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
(Ethan Thompson/8News)
CCPS Mini Museum is open to the public now through April 19. Community members can visit the experience during regular mall hours.
