July 5, 2006 -- Color Play comes to the Arkansas State University Museum Tuesday, July 18, and will continue through Sept. 2. The exhibition invites children to play with colors through whole-body experiences, hands-on interactives, and opportunities for fantasy play.

The centerpiece of this exhibition is the Color Playhouse. This colorful 12-foot by 24-foot house with whimsical trompe-l’oeil detailing beckons children to enter its front door and explore, according to a spokesman for the Museum.

There is something new in each room of the Color Playhouse. Two different lamps light the Yellow Light Room. Dress up costumes change colors in this light. The Black Light Room uncovers many surprises, such as invisible wallpaper. The Rainbow Room is lit by a 12-light (white light) chandelier.

Color Windows change the world outside. The Neon Swirl is an interactive sculpture that displays many of the bright colors used by neon sign makers. Bright colors appear like magic when kids hold clear plastic objects between the two polarized filters in the Polarized Window.

A bubble frame is lifted to make the Soap Bubble Window. Color Dance invites more active play. Red, green and blue lights wander to form new colors.

"Color Play: Exploring the Art and Science of Color" includes 18 different components. It is a joyful, creative exhibition that engages all ages, kids through adults. This exhibition is sponsored by the D. W. Reynolds Arkansas Children’s Discovery Centers Network, of which the ASU Museum is a member.

Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is a suggested donation of $2 per person. For more information contact the Museum at (870) 972-2074.