Sara Schalliol-Hodge, our summer artist-in-residence, is many things; industrial designer, merchandiser, print maker, mother, teacher and, perhaps most importantly, a creator.

“I was born with this need to create. I don’t feel like myself if I’m not making things,” said Sara.

Throughout Sara’s residency, she shared her love of print making with Museum members and guests. After hand carving dozens of plants, creatures and shapes in to linoleum blocks, she allowed guests to direct the process.

“Sara really embraced the experimental chaos of the Children’s Museum,” said Salim Khoury, Art Programs Coordinator, “She allowed the kids to create their own narratives, and just be amazed by what they made.”

But the beautiful thing about the Artist-in-Residence Program is that it isn’t a one way street. While Sara shared her process with guests, she learned just as much from them.

“Kids don’t always use materials the way you expect them to, and sometimes, that can open your eyes to a new way of doing things.”

For Sara, this meant switching things up; “This residency gave me a new direction for my art. It has changed my process.”

Her leave behind piece is an embodiment of the growth she experienced at the Children’s Museum. While Sara is accustomed to creating blocks and prints on a small scale, the team here encouraged her to go bigger. Much bigger.

Colorado Song Bird is a stunning, mixed-media, multi-layer collage. Sitting at just over 7 feet wide and 4 feet tall, it brings whimsy, color and a Colorado vibe to the Skyline Gallery, its new home. Be sure to check it out on your next visit to the Museum.

Up next: Sammy Lee, a mixed-media artist who uses felting and casting techniques. During her open studio hours, guests can knead, pound and layer Hanji, a Mulberry paper from Korea (her birth place!), to transform its fibers into a resilient, yet beautiful material.