Visit the Art Petting Zoo

Ever been a a museum or art gallery and just really, really wanted to touch the art? It's not a compulsion just for kids. I myself have to tamp down my need to feel things with my hands, and I often go through my art-looking with my hands firmly clasped behind my back. Nothing to be ashamed of-- means you're looking at art you like!

"Can I touch the art? My work looks very touchable - and some is!!! But please ask permission before touching. Adults- this means you too!"

Having clear rules about how people can appropriately experience your art is important to making people feel welcome. When people feel welcome, a connection can be made with the artwork.

In my own art studio, when I have public events I do have to keep an eye on how people interact with my artwork. I started out as a plush designer, so some people see EVERYTHING I make as something that can be grabbed and loved on. Some of my artwork (ok, much of it) looks squeezable. While some of it is stuffed and could be considered a pillow or toy in another context, some is quite fragile. I once had someone jump into an installation of 30 stuffed gemstones because they thought it looked like a ball pit!*

Please don't.

So, I started putting up signs saying, "Please don't touch the art" or "It looks like fun to touch, but please don't!" But people do not read signs (the more you put up, the more invisible they become.) I didn't want to spend my glorious community time policing people's reactions to my artwork. It made me feel pretty uptight, and gave my space a stodgy, un-fun feeling. What to do?

With kids, it's easy, because they are learning and not as likely to get upset if they are asked not to touch. But adults-- they get rude! It's embarrassing to be called out for improper behavior in public, when you are grown. But what is appropriate in an art context? I once experienced some cognitive dissonance at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, when, one installation in a gallery was hands-on (with signs saying "touch"!) and just beside it was another installation that looked similarly touchable. No "don't touch" sign was around, or that boundary sticker on the ground. I hesitantly reached over to touch it and got yelled at. Ouch! (SFMoma has never been great about consistent signage and also has really unfriendly guards-- watch out.)

Doesn't look like the art for Little Legs, but it feels like it! This is a plastic dropcloth covered in paint, sewn and stuffed with polyfil. I call this a coke bottle.

So, I started the Art Petting Zoo. When someone comes into my art space, I have a basket of samples that can be held. I don't care if they get messed up-- they are made just for this purpose. Small pieces represent different textures people will see around my studio. When people walk in, I tell them I have an art petting zoo and offer them the chance to look through the basket and pick something to walk around with. Having something in their hands, and understanding how one thing is ok to touch, and the other is fragile, people mostly satiate their need to touch. They feel like they've been invited to do something special. It's especially joyful to invite children to the Art Petting Zoo, because so often they are being told "don't do this, don't do that". This act makes them equal with all the tall people who are always telling them what to do.

The first time I tried this was in 2024 at the Familiar Gallery in San Jose. It was a body of work I called Little Legs, all soft sculptures of anthropomorphic vases. They let me have a small show in the center of their space, but the display space was a low table. Really just asking for it. They are a gallery and store, so people would be coming in and touching things on the other shelves. I didn't want the shop guys to have to police the artwork all day (or my cute lil vases getting smooshed). I suggested bringing in some samples in a basket. They made the adorable ART PETTING ZOO sign I still use today.

Original basket of touchable samples at Familiar Gallery

So, if you make 3D art, or really crunchy, thick painting, consider providing touchable samples, offered in a kind, welcoming way. Don't assume people know what every kind of medium feels like-- a lot of people do not have experience with art but they all want to know more. If you can let people experience the tactile sensation of art, that might help them feel comfortable the next time they are in an unfamiliar art environment. Make people feel welcome, while also protecting your precious artwork.

Soft vases for my "Little Legs" show at Familiar Gallery in 2024.

The next time the petting zoo is open is Saturday, March 14th. I'll be hosting my annual Stuffed Animal Hospital from 12pm-3pm. Look for the small round basket as you walk in and touch EVERY SINGLE THING IN IT. You can also touch the art all you want if you buy it from me!

*I had to print actual NO JUMPING signs.