So we were tagging along with the hubby on one of his business trips and the gracious folks he was working with, asked us if we'd like to visit their museum (their family started an art museum based mainly around birds) which is open to the public free of charge. Being that we love art and birds it wasn't a hard decision to make.
The museum recently opened a large, new section and part of it is a great area for children. Frankly, it was adorable! Anyway, as I make my way through it (mind you I do not have littles anymore but it was fun to look about), my eyes spied the cleverly done art/puzzle wall. I had to investigate and thought I would share this cute idea.
Basically, it is an art easel [theirs were from Dick Blick, but any good easel would work] with a magnetic sheet mounted behind a painted art frame. This was all securely attached to the wall. I wish the people who put this together were there for me to get more details on how they found/did this. I would have been able to get a better grasp of how they constructed it all-esp. the magnetic board. I will do some research (and of course let you know what I find) to see if I can find some already painted white. I guess if it's not white-one could paint it that to give the whole thing a "white paper" on an easel look. Then off to the side they had a picture that was a visual guide for the child to follow. I would actually have the picture printed a bit larger, it seemed a wee bit too small but alas-that is my unsolicited suggestion on that. Then below the easel was a large box (presumably made by someone-but there are tons of storage pockets like this on the market so one could wing it a bit) that held the puzzle pieces. The parrot picture was printed right on the magnetic sheet, with the birds being the puzzle part.
I think they just had a larger version printed out or used a poster of it, to make the puzzle. I know you can go to most photo places and get larger prints made of whatever picture you desire. Then they attached it to either wood or a very sturdy foam board. I cannot recall exactly now-but I think two were wood. Whatever you decide to do (should you make this) just be sure it can withstand the kids putting it up and taking it down repeatedly. My guess is that they were Modge Podged to it (?) That would be a simple and effective way for us folks to pull this off anyway. Then someone cut out puzzle pieces to form a giant puzzle of the art work. To hold the project, they put magnets on the back. Very securely. One had magnetic strips which I felt stayed up better. The others had something I haven't seen before (but again, I am not routinely searching out magnetic devices such as this)-it was like a dual magnetic bar strip (sorry no pic) where it had a magnet on each end sunk into this plastic strip thingy. Sorry, not real good description. Go with the self-sticking magnetic strips. Easier to use and less likely to be swallowed.
This one had pieces that were slipping (two magnet on plastic strip backing)
so I pointed that out and they promptly sent their fix-it man to take care of that.
Then when not in use, they were stored in that "easel" pocket. Very adorable. I would assume they change out the pictures occasionally too. And there you have it-a great way to invite children to look at and build a piece of art. You could do so much with this actually, but the puzzle is just an adorable idea.
Basic Supply List
*Art easel that is large enough to hold your framed magnetic piece
*Frame of your choosing that is slightly larger than your magnetic board
*Magnetic board -painted if it is not already white
*Paint for the magnetic board (be sure it will adhere to it, and for the wood backing for the puzzle-if you go that route)
*Box to attach below that is large enough to hold big puzzle pieces
*Magnetic strip that is self-sticking
*Art work that can be cut up (or there are some big sized puzzles that you could simply attach magnets to and cut the cover out as their guide)
*Smaller print of the artwork for the guide
*Backing-whether it is a thinner wood or sturdy foam board (wood should be painted for a more finished look and to prevent slivers and such)
*Modge Podge to attach the puzzle to the board
*Someone to cut the pieces, my guess is a band saw would do the job perfectly or some very sharp, precise cutting tool that will give you nice clean puzzle edges.
If you decide to do this project, please come back here with a link to your picture so we can all see how yours turned out!
Thanks to the
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum for this great experience!
Info on the children's activities is found
here.
The museum is located in Wausau, Wisconsin. If you are nearby, be sure to check it out. There are some really nice pieces of art, and the kid area is fun too!
They made a rough (but smooth-sanded) looking table for kids to sit around, then some crafty person(s) etched in all sorts of nature related items. Like a leaf and a dandelion. So cute and convenient. The kids simply grab a piece of paper and sit down where they want to create a picture. There was also chair rail/thin book shelves around the corner for the kids to leave their art work for display. 
