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Kaleideum, experiential learning museum coming in 2024

WStoday: Kaleideum coming downtown in February 2024

Prepare to be wowed by the amazing design and exhibits for all types of visitors. | Photo by Kaleideum via website

Colors, confetti, kaleidoscope — ring a bell? The new Kaleideum building downtown is hard to miss. Located at the corner of Third Street and Town Run Lane, the new science museum is scheduled to open February 2024. The hub will soon become a cultural arts destination in the heart of downtown Winston-Salem. WStoday City Editor Kellina sat down with the CEO of Kaleideum, Elizabeth Dampier, and took a tour of the space to get a preview of what’s coming.

A new beginning

Kaleideum was born out of a merger between the Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem and SciWorks.

“Our idea the whole time was that we would become one location in the heart of downtown,” Dampier said.

It’s no mistake the new Kaleideum looks like a showstopper. Dampier said she wanted the design to be iconic.

“I think that when people say, ‘oh, look for the white building with the triangles or the confetti on front’ people are going to know what that is,” Dampier said. “We wanted to do that for ourselves, but we also wanted to do it for the city.”

Learning Reimagined

When it comes to learning, the five-story building features a range of interactive designs and exhibits, plus hands-on experiences for everyone. Sitting next to Merschel Park and Liberty Plaza, the museum will transform the space into a connective hub for the community.

WStoday: Digital sea creatures — You can customize your own sea creature on an iPad connected to this display and send it to this digital sea for everyone to see.
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Photo by WStoday

“I want to see someone who looks like me, but at the same time, to do that alongside people who are different than me so that I can learn new perspective and think about things in a different way and learn from that,” Dampier said.

Forsyth County committed $30.5 million toward the project and the City of Winston-Salem contributed $2 million, which included the Liberty Plaza renovation. Kaleideum is raising an additional $11 million through its “All In” Capital Campaign.

Here are City Editor Kellina’s exhibit picks you can look forward to exploring:

Rooftop Adventure
Digital Dome
Wonders of Water
By Design
Storytelling

WStoday: Story telling exhibit at the Kaleideum Downtown — Make up your own play and become the main character of your story.
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Photo by WStoday

How do I get involved?

The museum offers various membership levels which can be purchased online or by phone. Kaleideum also offers a Museums for All program that allows anyone who has an EBT, WIC or Link to Feed card through Second Harvest Food Bank to receive discounted admission into the museum. In the meantime, Kaleideum North will permanently close Dec. 31 after its New Year’s Eve party.

Events

Wednesday, Dec. 20

Mixed Media Night | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 6-9 p.m. | INBTWN, 606 Trade St. NW, Winston-Salem | Free | Make your own masterpiece with collage, paint, ink, or other materials that you can take with you or leave on display.
Sparkling Wine Tasting | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 5:30-7 p.m. | 6th And Vine, 209 W. 6th St., Winston-Salem | Free | Try out a variety of sparkling wines just in time for the holidays.

Thursday, Dec. 21

Camel City Jazz Orchestra: Holiday Swing | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 5:30 p.m. | Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, 750 Marguerite Dr., Winston-Salem | $15-$30 | Swing into the holidays with some audience favorites featuring Nishah DiMeo on vocals.

Friday, Dec. 22

Holiday Silent Disco Dance Party | Friday, Dec. 22 | 9 p.m. | The Ramkat, 170 W. 9th St., Winston-Salem | $16-$20 | Join the final silent disco party of 2023 with DJs Poochie La Fever, 1dg & Mauve Angeles.

100+ more local events

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Traffic

Expect a detour if you’ll be traveling on West 4th Street tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 20. The road from Cherry to Trade Streets will be closed from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. — directions for alternate routes will be posted.

Cause

Join the city of Winston-Salem to remember neighbors who have died while experiencing homelessness in the past year. A memorial service will take place at Samaritan Ministries (414 E. Northwest Blvd.) Thursday, Dec. 21 at 10 a.m.

Health

Starting today, Dec. 19, Novant Health is asking children under age 13 not to visit hospitals unless they are seeking care and for all visitors to stay home if they are sick. It’s an effort to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses — visitors are also encouraged to wear masks.

Film

UNC School of Arts will launch its YouTube channel in January. The public is invited to get a free behind-the-scenes tour at the Media and Emerging Technology Lab (METL) located on Design Avenue on Friday, Jan. 26 at 5 p.m.

Plan Ahead

Planning your big day? Get free tickets to the Carolina Weddings Show on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. The one-stop shop event features wedding cakes, flowers, decor, and a bridal fashion show.

Feel Good

A family is in a new home for the holidays thanks to the collaborative effort of the city of Winston-Salem, Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County, and the Sheriff’s Office. It is the first home in the county equipped with a residential fire sprinkler system.

Seasonal

Looking for a present for a friend who loves to shop local, or want to share a slice of your home with family far away? Here are five gift ideas from Lowes Foods that we would love to receive.*

Eat

Keeping your seat warm

Restaurants with heated outdoor dining in Winston-Salem

WStoday: Snow globes at Katharine Brasserie Bar

Enjoy a nice meal outdoors without getting frosty. | Katharine Brasserie and Bar via Instagram

Don’t let the cold keep you indoors. We’ve got seven spots for you to enjoy a nice meal with the nice warmth of a heated patio.

1703 Restaurant & Catering, 1703 Robinhood Rd. | The outdoor patio is decked out with holiday decorations and a warm atmosphere.

Katharine Brasserie and Bar, 401 N. Main St. | Reserve a snow globe or one of the winter wonderland gondolas.

The Old Fourth Street Filling Station, 871 W. 4th St. | Sit by the cozy fireplace inside or enjoy the simplicity of outdoor seating at the historic West End restaurant.

Sage and Salt Bistro, 300 S. Liberty St.| The trendy bistro offers a heated patio with blankets to keep you warm.

Quiet Pint, 1420 W. First St. | The dog-friendly restaurant features a large outdoor patio which is partially enclosed and heated.

Village Tavern, 221 Reynolda Village | Relax and enjoy the daily drink specials in the enchanted Reynolda Village location.

Putters Patio and Grill, 3005 Bonhurst Dr. | Grab a bite before an event at the LJVM Coliseum, which is located less than half a mile away.

Did we miss a place? Let us know.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kellina

From the editor

I felt like a little kid while touring Kaleideum Downtown. As a writer, it is no surprise my favorite activity was the Storytelling exhibit where I got to make up a word and was named Prime Minister (maybe one day) while sitting on the magical chair. I can’t wait to visit the finished space once it opens next year.

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