There are no instructions and no wrong answers when it comes to creativity in Science Museum Oklahoma’s smART Space galleries as SMO debuts “Designing for Play.”

The exhibit, created by Cas Holman, features her award-winning Rigamajig Collection. Guests enter a space filled with wheels, wooden planks, nuts, bolts and rope waiting to be utilized at the inventor’s discretion. Designed to spark imagination, collaboration and problem-solving skills through hands-on, experiential, and open-ended play, with Rigamajig there’s no set of instructions or pre-determined outcome. Guests of all ages are encouraged to use their imaginations and build whatever comes to mind.

Holman worked with SMO to recreate her studio in the exhibit, showcasing how Rigamajig came to be. The studio space features early drawings and prototypes of the collection, providing guests a glimpse into her creative design process.

“We had an idea in smART Space to explore the world of toy design,” said Alyson Atchison, curator for SMO’s smART Space galleries. “Cas' approach is very unique and worth exploring on its own. She brings an artistic industrial design background and process to a STEAM-based product that aids children in creating through play.

“We are excited to present the largest Rigamajig installation to date,” said Atchison. “This has transformed smART Space into an interactive space, and it is thrilling to watch our visitors create both abstract, conceptual designs and literal, utilitarian objects.”

Holman suggested using the exhibit as an opportunity to bring attention to contemporary BIPOC (Black, indigenous, people of color) toy designers and recommended Azhelle Wade, aka The Toy Coach, to curate this section.

“Azhelle brought with her a contagious level of passion for and experience with toys and the business of toys,” Atchison said. “She dove in with enthusiasm and presented us with a profound interpretation of this opportunity. While Cas was introducing us to her philosophy of designing for play, through Azhelle and the artists she brought with her, we see toy design that thrives, celebrates, makes memories, and honors history and inclusion.”

Four BIPOC artists are featured within the exhibit: Mitchel Wu, Sebastian Flores, Marjorie Spitalnik and Dr. Lisa Williams.

Wu creates and crafts stories through toy photography capturing the illusion of motion and emotion where there is none. Flores is the sixteen-year-old founder of OctoGifts, a cross between candy dispensers, 3D puzzles and greeting cards.

Spitalnik created Little Rebels, dolls that teach about great women in history, including Amelia Earhart and Malala Yousafzai. Dr. Williams launched Fresh Dolls, a group of dolls with different skin tones; committing herself to developing a business focused on encouraging acceptance and inclusion.

Designing for Play is included with general admission and will be open through Fall 2022.

Science Museum Oklahoma is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Daily general admission is $18.95 for adults (ages 13 to 64) and $14.95 for children (ages 3 to 12) and seniors (65 and older). Annual memberships begin at $115.

ABOUT SCIENCE MUSEUM OKLAHOMA

Science Museum Oklahoma is the only hands-on science museum in Oklahoma and, with more than 390,000 square feet, one of the largest science museums in the nation. With a mission of enriching lives by revealing the wonder and relevance of science, Science Museum Oklahoma demonstrates the relationship between the physical sciences and everyday experiences. The museum influences how Oklahomans learn about science through the medium of interactive exhibits, discovery-based activities, astronomy shows, Science Live demonstrations, educational outreach efforts and special events. The museum’s clear mission and firm focus on science literacy encourage families to develop and build upon a strong foundation in the sciences.

smART Space is an art gallery that focuses on the wonder that occurs when the fields of art and science collide.  The mission of the gallery is to help make science more accessible to everyone through science-related visual arts exhibitions. The intrinsic relationship between art and science can expand upon what we know, and can act as a medium for exploring and forming new information and ideas.

With two distinct galleries, smART Space presents custom curated exhibitions created exclusively by our staff for Science Museum Oklahoma. See something familiar? Local and nationally reknowned artists are featured in the galleries and our shows have received national recognition from USA Today and other publications. You might also see our exhibitions touring at your home museum.

For more information about the smART Space galleries at Science Museum Oklahoma, visit: www.sciencemuseumok.org/smart-space.

Media Contact: Lindsey Morrison, Assistant Communications Director,

Science Museum Oklahoma, 405-602-3679, lmorrison@sciencemuseumok.org