Popsicle Sticks Galore At Next Mattatuck Museum Discovery Club

WATERBURY — The public is invited to see the Popsicle Stick structure that should break the Guinness World Record and try their hand at building Popsicle Stick models during the Mattatuck Museum Arts & History Center’s next Discovery Club on Sunday, December 27.

From 2 to 4 pm.  Stephen Guman, the creator of a 396,000 stick creation that measures 12 feet wide by 16 feet deep by 9 feet tall, will be on hand to share tips and talk about his experiences. Also, artist and ArtsPlace instructor Audrey Grice will guide kids in building their own Popsicle Stick structures.

Naugatuck resident Stephen Guman has been building Popsicle Stick models since he was nine years old, when his aunt gave him a birdhouse kit.  This did not satisfy his creativity and soon he was designing and building his own models.

Mr Guman has made replicas of the Eiffel Tower and the World Trade Center, and tanks, ships and cranes with moveable parts.  A heavy-equipment operator, he has spent his free time before and after work, up to four hours each day, gluing 4 ½ inch sticks together and moving toward his Guinness World Record.

Audrey Grice has been a children’s art instructor at Cheshire’s ArtsPlace for 20 years.  She brings to teaching her love of art and passing that joy on to children.  Ms. Grice is an accomplished artist who works mostly in pastel. She received her training at Quinnipiac College and through private lessons from well-known artists, and her paintings have won juried awards. Ms Grice is on the board of directors for Cheshire Art League.

Discovery Club is a program designed for kids who like experimenting and discovering new worlds. Cost per program is $7 per child ($4 for members), and free for adults accompanying children.

For more information or to register call the museum at 203-753-0381 extension 10.

The Mattatuck Museum Arts & History Center is at 144 West Main Street, Waterbury. Convenient, free parking is located behind the museum on Park Place.