(Omaha, Neb.) - March 1, 2016 -
Indian folk artist Vijayalakshmi Mohan (Vijaya) will be visiting Omaha this month, and one of her first stops will be at Omaha Children's Museum to work with local children to create a
rangoli.
Rangoli is a traditional Indian folk art consisting of decorative designs made on floors with colored rice and dry flour, sand or flower petals. Mohan will visit the Omaha Children's Museum, 500 S. 20th St., to introduce the art and invite children to participate in creating a
rangoli on Sunday, March 13 from 1 to 5 p.m. There is no registration to participate in the
rangoli project. The experience is included with regular museum admission, which is $12 for adults and children, $11 for seniors, and free for children 2 and younger and members.
With a background in childhood education and art therapy, she has a unique ability to interact with and engage children. Throughout the afternoon at the museum, children and families are encouraged to not only watch Mohan work, but to also join in the process. When completed, the
rangoli could be as large as 8 feet by 8 feet.
Mohan grew up in the city Trichy (or Tiruchirappalli) in India. She was 5 years old when she created her first
rangoli. Throughout her decades-long career as an artist, she broke the Guinness Book of World Records in 2003 for single-handedly drawing a
rangoli that was 52 feet by 53 feet in seven hours without a break. Now based out of Singapore, Mohan has made
rangolis around the world for art establishments, businesses, schools and various government organizations.
Mohan's visit to Omaha was coordinated with the help of David Helm, professor of art and history at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He was part of the UNO team that brought Mohan to UNO in 2012 to create a public art project with Intermediate and Advanced Sculpture students from the university. This year, the UNO Medical Humanities program and the Art Department are collaborating on her visit.
Great video and photo opportunities are available throughout the day! Interviews with Vijaya Mohan and David Helm are possible; please contact Kim Reiner at 402-930-2356 or [email protected] for more information.
Since its inception in 1976, Omaha Children's Museum has been a special place where children can challenge themselves, discover how the world works and learn through play. The mission of Omaha Children's Museum is to
engage the imagination and create excitement about learning. The museum's permanent exhibits include Charlie Campbell Science & Technology Center, Creative Arts Center including the Karen Levin Artist-in-Residence Studio, Imagination Playground and Walker Tire & Auto Service Center. In addition to its permanent exhibits, Omaha Children's Museum offers educational programs, traveling exhibitions, field trips, outreach programs, summer camps and early childhood programs.
500 S. 20th St.
Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 342-6164
