One Good Word 

The wall text of WAM's spring exhibition, Never Spoken Again, contains unconventional blank spaces, encouraging museum visitors to “fill in” the exhibition narrative using their imaginations. By omitting key words from the dubious stories behind works on view, curator David Ayala-Alfonso engages viewers’ imaginations to complete the exhibition’s backstory.

In this Open Studio activity, you’re invited to make a text-based artwork that relates to your personal narrative. What concept or quality would you like to draw into your life? Is there a feeling, adjective, or verb you’d like to insert into your story? Using colorful yarn and needlepoint mesh, stitch your selected word, meditating on its place in your life.

Drop-in, Self-Guided Art Activity

Throughout the year, WAM presents self-guided art-making activities inspired by an art piece, exhibition, or artist from the museum's collection. Everything you need to make your own masterpiece is provided and the activity is designed to be accessible and open to all. Drop-in during open hours and get creative! 

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Additional general operating support is generously provided by Ameriprise Financial.

Image credits: (Top) Jasper Johns, The Graphic Art of Jasper Johns, 1969. Offset lithograph poster. Gift of Pollack Galleries, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. 1973.1.95. (Bottom) Graphic created from excerpted wall text included in Never Spoken Again: Rogue Stories of Science and Collections, on view at WAM through May 17, 2026.