This is an early access hour designed to prioritize access and inclusion in MCD’s public programs, specifically for members of the disability community, including Neurodivergent visitors seeking an uncrowded MakeArt Family Day experience. Register today! Sensory Saturday is first come, first served, and attendance will be capped at 35 museum visitors.

Sensory Saturday differs from a typical visit to the Museum of Craft and Design in that there will be in-person activities inspired by RugLife. Explore the exhibition and engage in the following featured MakeArt activations:

CIY (Color-it-Yourself) Rugs
Coloring pages help develop fine motor skills, build focus, and foster creativity. Reap the benefits of this classic art activity as you transform rug outlines into personalized masterpieces. Choose from various designs, including one inspired by Oksana Levchenya’s Pac-Man and Cossacks featured in the exhibition.

Tempting Tactile Textiles
There is more than meets the eye in the materials and creative processes of RugLife. Throughout the course of the exhibition, MCD has created, commissioned, and collected rug samples that create tactile touchpoints. Explore these haptic artifacts and let your hands explore what your eyes cannot. Exhibition-featured artwork cannot be touched. Help protect the art by maintaining a 2-feet minimum distance between you and the pieces on display.

Wondrous Weaving:
Archaeological evidence suggests that weaving was universally known to all major human civilizations. Weaving remains a major method for textile production, both as an art form and in the commercial industry. Try your hand at this traditional, time-honored technique and take home a loom of your own!

Tesselating Textures | Block Printing:
Block printing, historically used to decorate textiles for clothing, is a process steeped in tradition and generational craft knowledge. Choose a stamp and transform your canvas through satisfyingly repetitive prints.

Access Features:

Attendance is capped at 35 visitors
Friendly staff available to answer questions, and assist with basic wayfinding.
Line shares available upon request
Strategically placed benches for those who wish to sit and observe the art.
Accessible bathrooms
Wheelchair lift next to entrance stairs. Maximum wheelchair weight capacity is 750 lbs and the platform measures 3 feet by 4 feet.
Noise-cancelling headphones (6), weighted scarfs (4), and earplugs are available at the front desk.
Calm down corner featuring bean bags and fidget toys.
Large print wall text booklet, also available via QR code.
Wall texts translated into Arabic, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese are available via QR code.
Audio descriptions of select RugLife artworks are available via QR code.
Closed captions on all videos.
RugLife Museum Social Story

Access Challenges

We do not have a ramp and the museum entrance requires climbing 5 steps or using the wheelchair lift.
Blue zones are not readily available near the entrance.
Museum lights cannot be dimmed but we invite you to bring sunglasses and relax on bean bags in a darkened room within the museum featuring an overhead projection of Azra Akšamija’s Palimpsest of ’89

We want to hear from you, and we want to design relevant, accessible, and inclusive programs. Please reach out to [email protected] with any feedback or suggestions.

MCD MEMBERS

Make the most of your MCD Membership. This event is FREE for Members. Don’t forget to stop by the Museum Store on your way out and get your 10% off discount!

Not an MCD Member? Join today and get free and discounted tickets to MCD’s signature programs, events, tours, and more!