Families Can Explore and Create in Upcoming Activities

Corning, NY - Engage the kids with visits to faraway lands and special family workshops at The Corning Museum of Glass. On Sunday, April 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., kids and parents alike can experience the richness of the Japanese culture at Families Explore: Japan. On Sunday, April 29, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., families may work side-by-side creating unique scrapbook tabletops out of glass at a Family Workshop.

Families Explore: Japan activities run throughout the day on Sunday, April 22:

· Learn about the history of the popular number game, Sudoku, and try a few simple versions.
· Make kaleidoscope kirigami (Japanese paper cutting) and origami.
· Make a temari ball as a symbol of good luck.
· Learn about pête de verre, a difficult glassmaking technique using ground glass that is made into a paste. Find objects in the collection that were made with this technique.
· Enjoy a performance by Taikoza, full of Japanese drums, dance, music, and audience participation.

The Family Exploration series allows children and their families to spend one Sunday each month exploring the various cultures from which many of the Museum's glass objects originated. A different culture is featured each month (except for July and August).

Families who attend will receive a "passport," which they can bring to subsequent Families Exploration events to receive stamps. Those who collect six stamps during the year will enjoy a special gift from the Museum's GlassMarket.

All activities are included in the price of admission. Admission to the Museum is free for youth 17 and under; admission for accompanying adults is $12.50 each. Area residents (who live in zip codes beginning with 148, 149, and 169 pay only $5.00). Adults can become Annual Passholders: pay admission once, sign up for the Annual Passholder program and enjoy free admission through December 31, 2007.

There is no additional cost for Family Exploration activities. Please call Kristy Bartenstein at (607) 974-3306 for further details.

The next Family Exploration event will focus on the Renaissance and will take place Sunday, May 20.

Family Workshop: Sandblasted Tabletops

Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, can work side by side with the special children in their lives to create a sandblasted glass tabletop that serves as a frame for memorable pictures. The Family Workshop on Sunday, April 29, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., teaches the process of sandblasting and results in a piece that will last a lifetime. All projects are appropriate for ages 5 and up. Participants should bring pictures for a unique scrapbooking adventure!

Registration is required as space is limited. The fee for this workshop is $25 per adult and $20 per child, with all materials included. Please call Erin Wing at 607.974.4052 in advance to register.

The Corning Museum of Glass (www.cmog.org) is home to the world's most comprehensive and celebrated collection of glass, with more than 45,000 objects reflecting 3,500 years of glassmaking history. An independent, non-profit, educational institution, the Museum is dedicated to the art, history, science, research and exhibition of glass. The Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the starting this weekend. Children 17 and under receive free admission.