For many, visiting an art museum can feel like a passive experience – strolling through galleries, admiring paintings and sculptures, and reading descriptions on placards. However, the Flint Institute of Arts is transforming this approach through its Gallery Learning Experience (GLEx), an interactive educational program designed to deepen visitors’ engagement with art.
Photos Courtesy of FIA
Led by FIA educators and docents, GLEx sessions offer a dynamic way to explore the museum’s collection. Rather than merely observing artwork, participants actively engage through discussions, sensory activities and hands-on exercises that bring the pieces to life. Matt Osmon, FIA Director of Education, emphasizes that these experiences serve as a gateway to the museum’s diverse collection. “GLEx sessions transform passive viewing into active exploration,” he explains. “Through guided conversations and interactive elements, participants gain insight into historical and societal relevance, artistic techniques and the ways in which artists shape our culture and community.”
“The goal is to make art accessible, thought-provoking and personally meaningful.”
Matt Osmon, FIA Director of Education
A Multi-Sensory Approach to Art
Each GLEx session focuses on three to five curated works within a specific theme, but the learning extends beyond those selections. As participants move through the museum, they inevitably discover additional pieces that spark curiosity and deeper engagement. These sessions foster visual literacy – helping visitors interpret and “read” artwork in new ways.
Osmon highlights how a session might enhance the appreciation of Chakaia Booker’s abstract sculpture India Blue, crafted from recycled tires. “Participants pass around a heavy, industrial tire to experience its texture, weight and smell, forging a connection to the artist’s material choices,” he describes. “By incorporating sensory engagement, we remove barriers to understanding and offer fresh perspectives on why an artwork matters, how it was made and what it communicates.”
Photos Courtesy of FIA
Tailored Experiences for Diverse Groups
GLEx sessions are available for school groups, community organizations, retirement communities, college courses, and other groups of ten or more. Each experience is customized to fit the needs and interests of the participants.
For example, a recent high school ceramics class participated in a GLEx focused on contemporary ceramics, integrating a session in the FIA’s glazing lab to explore the science behind ceramic glazes. An advanced high school art class from Detroit requested a session on modern and contemporary art, prompting the FIA team to design an experience featuring artists like Mario Moore, Robert Motherwell, Helen Frankenthaler and Kehinde Wiley. For an adult group captivated by a Claude Monet painting on display, FIA created an in-depth exploration of Monet’s work before transitioning to a studio session where participants tried their hand at landscape painting.
Photos Courtesy of FIA
Osmon notes that each GLEx begins with a conversation, allowing educators to tailor the experience to a group’s interests. “We integrate specific themes, time periods, styles or media – sometimes adapting an existing experience, other times crafting something entirely bespoke,” he says.
Timely & Thematic Offerings
Current GLEx sessions explore timely and powerful themes, particularly through FIA’s temporary exhibitions. Osmon points to an immersive experience featuring the works of Romare Bearden, Judy Bowman and Cliff Joseph. “This GLEx guides students through an exploration of art, community and activism,” he says. “Through discussion and hands-on activities in our new Exploration Annex, participants reflect on themes of protest, identity, resilience and cultural heritage.”
Photos Courtesy of FIA
Lasting Impact & Memorable Moments
Participants consistently express enthusiasm about their GLEx experiences, often amazed by the depth of information and insights gained. “The most memorable moments are when a student audibly gasps upon seeing a work in person or when they make immediate, meaningful connections between the art and their own experiences,” Osmon shares. “Sometimes the most powerful feedback isn’t written or spoken – it’s in the curiosity, laughter, and engaged conversations that unfold throughout the session.”
Photos Courtesy of FIA
By transforming traditional museum visits into interactive learning experiences, the FIA GLEx program ensures that art is not just seen, but truly experienced. Whether through touch, sound or dialogue, these sessions open new pathways for understanding and appreciating art, making every visit to the museum an opportunity for discovery.
Photos Courtesy of FIA
Want to know more about art?
Gallery Learning Experiences (GLEx) are available for groups of ten or more people. One-month notice is needed to schedule a GLEx. Contact the Art School at 810.237.7314 or email arted@flintarts.org.
