Pavilion to open building-themed exhibit as some areas close for construction

A new traveling exhibit focused on building opens Friday at the Washington Pavilion as other areas close for construction, and a new show featuring local talent will start soon.

Building Buddies creates a multi-sensory environment with full-body experiences for kids that promote learning in science, technology, engineering and math.

Exhibit components also have been designed to promote social interaction between visitors.

Taking turns, teamwork and sharing are skills that have been fostered in the suggested activities.

Kids will be able to:

• Reorganize Peter’s house by choosing the location of different rooms and stairs to get there.
• Help Eva brighten up her bungalow by painting a wall, dressing her window with curtains, arranging a flower wall and laying a garden path.
• Lend Pipa a hand and lay tiles in the bathroom, tighten leaky pipes, install new plants on the outside wall and inspect large drain pipes.
• Help Winston by putting a roof over his head and walls around his dog house.
• Help the Waltons build sturdy walls and a tall chimney to keep them safe and warm.
• Climb up the scaffolding to bring foam bricks up to build the tall walls of Billy’s building.

Building Buddies is on the fourth floor of the Kirby Science Discovery Center.

Starting Monday, the science center’s water room will close to make way for a significantly upgraded water exhibit, which is scheduled to open in June or early July.

The Wells Fargo CineDome also will close that day for construction of the new state-of-the-art Sweetman Planetarium, which is scheduled to open later this summer.

“We are so grateful to host this new exhibit while two of our popular features are temporarily closed. The Building Buddies exhibit will be here through the summer and bring some new life to our building,” said Madelyn Grogan, director of education, programming and exhibits.

Once the CineDome reopens, “we will again offer our educational films with drastically improved sound and picture quality,” she said. “In addition, we are excited to add planetarium films and programming to our daily lineup. These additions will certainly create opportunities for new experiences in our theater.”

Seeking local talent

The Pavilion also is creating a local performance series called Live & Local. The monthly performances will showcase a lineup of local talent, including singers, dancers, comedians, actors, musicians, artists and others, who can apply through June 5 to perform.

“If you have ever pictured yourself performing on the stage at the Washington Pavilion, this is your chance to make those ambitions a reality. We know a whole host of incredibly talented performers live right here in Sioux Falls, and we want to celebrate that,” said Bob Wendland, assistant director of performances and events at the Washington Pavilion. “We are so excited to further support and highlight local artists and offer regular, affordable, live arts programming for the community.”

All performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month from September through May at the Washington Pavilion’s Belbas Theater or Schulte Room. Performers will be compensated for their work.

Performers wishing to apply can find more information and the application here. The full lineup will be announced later this summer.

Washington Pavilion to create immersive water experience exhibit