Sensory Friendly Sunday is a monthly event designed for kids, teens, and adults with sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities. The galleries will be closed to the general public, allowing visitors to enjoy the museum in a calm environment with accommodations such as quiet spaces, fidgets, and sunglasses available. Experience current Walker exhibitions Jannis Kounellis in Six Acts, Pao Houa Her: Paj qaum ntuj / Flowers of the Sky, and Paul Chan: Breathers; make art; or watch a short film. All friends and family members are welcome.
Masks are required at Sensory Friendly Sunday for visitors over age 2.
To prepare for your visit, check out this Social Narrative. For more information about accessibility, call 612-375-7564 or email access@walkerart.org.
This program was created in consultation with the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) and the University of Minnesota’s Occupational Therapy Program.
Admission Tickets
While walk-ins are welcome, we encourage you to reserve your space ahead of time. Sensory Friendly Sunday is typically less busy from 8 to 9:30 am and busier from 9:30 to 11 am.
Activity Information
Join artist Marcus Rothering in the Art Lab to string and loop colorful beads. You will have the option to make a snake or lizard key chain, or a simple strand bracelet.
Stop by the Bentson Mediatheque to watch a short film. The film will loop throughout the program between 8 and 11 am. Capacity is limited to 10 people at a time. This is a relaxed screening with sound reduced, appropriate for all ages. Visitors are free to come and go, move, and otherwise make themselves comfortable in the space.
Beneath by Beth Walker
Abstract blotches of color expand, contact, and interact in this meditative short film inspired by the intricate and entangled underground networks of fungi. 2022, UK, nonverbal with captions, 4 min.
Accessibility
The film will be captioned.
To prepare for your visit, check out this Social Narrative.
The exhibition Jannis Kounellis in Six Acts in Galleries 1–3 and Perlman Gallery contains materials that may have an aroma, such as coffee, soot, and sulfur. Staff are happy to provide additional information.
The exhibition Pao Houa Her: Paj qaum ntuj / Flowers of the Sky in Gallery C features low light levels and a video and sound-based artwork inspired by kwv-txhiaj, or Hmong song poetry.
The exhibition Paul Chan: Breathers in Galleries A and B contains mature language and themes. This downloadable resource provides more information about the exhibition and artwork. The exhibition also includes multiple kinetic sculptures composed of high-powered fans that inflate fabric sculptures, causing them to move. The fans produce sound.
For more information about accessibility or to request additional accommodations, call 612-375-7564 or email access@walkerart.org.
For more information about accessibility at the Walker, visit our Access page.
Attendance Requirements
Masks are required for Sensory Friendly Sunday visitors over the age of 2 to support the safety and comfort of attendees. If you have questions or require additional assistance, please email info@walkerart.org or call 612-375-7600.
Bios
Marcus Rothering (he/him) is a ceramic and fiber/textile artist living in Minneapolis. He creates large-scale sculptures with woven-looking surfaces that explore themes revolving around African folklore and the underworld. He also creates self-portrait wall rugs using a tufting gun that poke fun at awkward past memories, puberty, and teen angst. He received his BA in studio art and minor in digital media from Metropolitan State University in 2021. He began his Masters of Fine Art Degree at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in the ceramics and sculpture department. He has exhibited work at galleries and art centers including Soo Visual Art Center, Minnesota Textile Center, Fresh Eye Gallery, Paradox, John B. Davis Gallery, Tongue and Cheek, and Gordon Parks Gallery. Rothering spent a year working with Minneapolis Public Schools as emotional support staff, helping students regulate emotions and assisting with school work. During this time, he saw firsthand the benefits of introducing a textile art project to students dealing with crisis. His teaching style is playful and open to the many possibilities of problem solving.
