The final step in creating this “a-maze-ing” experience was creating the artwork to appear on its walls. In the initial design phase, many themes were discussed, but in the end, we decided on a graphic pattern of 2D shapes that would create a sense of movement as one explored the space. And, of course, fitting in with the rest of the museum wouldn’t be possible without a lot of colour.
Chris’s skills in colour theory came in handy during this phase. Using several shades of pink, green and blue, we learned how to mix and mingle the colours, creating texture and movement on the walls. Chris taped out the various shapes and decided when the shapes would merge from one to the next, and our staff team followed behind with a cart full of paint, filling in the shapes.
Starting with several shades of pink, the entire maze was covered in triangles, squares, rectangles, hexagons and trapezoids. Then, we layered on blue and green shapes. Finally, a lighter shade of green/yellow was used to highlight several areas. The cubes were painted after they were placed on top of the wall, whereas the train was painted on the floor and then moved into place.
Watch today’s fun fact here!
Exhibition Supporters: Toromont, Johnston Group, Len Dubois
Three hundred and seventy-five boxes. 1800 square feet. One artist. Four staff. One volunteer. Five days. One design. And a lot of paint.
Chris Minsal, A-MAZE-D Artist and Installer, was instrumental in the success of this maze-building extravaganza. Chris arrived on Monday, and we quickly got to work with our small and eager staff team to build the boxes. Four hours later, 350 boxes were built and taped shut (a few were kept aside for spares). Then came the fun part – putting it all together. Using four boxes, our team created 5’ x 5’ panels with a window in the centre. Each of these panels is one wall section. Once we had all the wall sections built and a few tunnel tops (created with 6 boxes), the maze started to take shape. Using Dave’s design, Chris’s expertise, and our handy staff and volunteer team, the maze was completely laid out by the end of the second day.
Watch today’s fun fact here!
Exhibition Supporters: Toromont, Johnston Group, Len Dubois
How many boxes does it take to create a life-sized cardboard maze?
Well, first, you need to know how big your space is. Ours is about 1800 square feet. That’s going to be a pretty big maze. Then you need a design. This took about 7 tries, but we eventually landed on the perfect layout. You need to know what your boxes look like, of course. Ours are (2’ x 3’x 1’). You need big boxes when you have a big maze.
Once we had all that information, we worked it all out.
Drumroll, please!
375 boxes. You read that right! 375 was the magic number! But don’t forget, the boxes are flat when they are delivered. So, how long does it take to build 375 boxes? With 4 handy staff and an artist, it takes about 4 hours. Not bad!
Watch today’s fun fact here!
Exhibition Supporters: Toromont, Johnston Group, Len Dubois
Ever since he was a child, Dave Phillips has always loved mazes. He published his first book of mazes in 1976, spent many years designing and building corn and farm mazes and finally brought his love of maze design to museums in 2017 with his first cardboard box maze at the Delaware Children’s Museum.
Six years later, we got in touch with Dave to bring A-MAZE-D to Canada for the first time. With a short turnaround, Dave worked with our Director of Education & Exhibits to design a maze that would be the perfect fit for our Great Hall, home to our Temporary Exhibitions. Seven designs and much measuring later, the final design was chosen. Dave then contacted a local box supplier to provide the custom-made cardboard boxes. Because of this, the only shipping necessary was bringing Dave’s partner and artist, Chris Minsal, to our city to bring the design to life. With Chris’s expertise and some enthusiastic staff on hand, the maze was created. A colourful cardboard creation to discover!
Learn more about the mazes with this fun fact!
Exhibition Supporters: Toromont, Johnston Group, Len Dubois
The Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes are a traditional holiday favourite for generations of Winnipeggers. We are pleased to honour that tradition by offering guided tours of the exhibition to guests of all ages every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11:00AM and 2:00PM from November 12, 2022 until January 8, 2023. Guided Exhibition Tours are included in general museum admission during the holiday season or are available for $5.00 (plus GST) per person.
Exhibition Supporters: Global Winnipeg, Johnston Group & Toromont CAT
Additional Information
- La visite est offerte en français sur demande. Veuillez-vous inscrire au moins un jour à l’ avance auprès au 204.924.4005. Tours are offered in French on demand. Please register at least a day in advance at 204.924.4005.
- If you are interested in booking a tour for your group outside of these standard tour times, please contact our Sales & Bookings Coordinator at 204.924.4005.
- Please note that these tours are open to adult visitors unaccompanied by children.
- Tours will not be available on December 24, 25, and 31 due to holiday closures and New Year’s Eve programming.
Please review our COVID-19 Guidelines here prior to your visit.
The Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes are a traditional holiday favourite for generations of Winnipeggers. We are pleased to honour that tradition by offering guided tours of the exhibition to guests of all ages every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11:00AM and 2:00PM from November 12, 2022 until January 8, 2023. Guided Exhibition Tours are included in general museum admission during the holiday season or are available for $5.00 (plus GST) per person.
Exhibition Supporters: Global Winnipeg, Johnston Group & Toromont CAT
Additional Information
- La visite est offerte en français sur demande. Veuillez-vous inscrire au moins un jour à l’ avance auprès au 204.924.4005. Tours are offered in French on demand. Please register at least a day in advance at 204.924.4005.
- If you are interested in booking a tour for your group outside of these standard tour times, please contact our Sales & Bookings Coordinator at 204.924.4005.
- Please note that these tours are open to adult visitors unaccompanied by children.
- Tours will not be available on December 24, 25, and 31 due to holiday closures and New Year’s Eve programming.
Please review our COVID-19 Guidelines here prior to your visit.
Explore a Winnipeg holiday tradition for all generations!
On display from Saturday, November 12, 2022 – Sunday, January 8, 2023, at the Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum is pleased to be the home of the last original Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes Display from the ninth-floor annex of the Eaton’s downtown store – fully restored and open to the public for a limited time only.
From November 12, 2022, until January 8, 2023, visitors of all ages will be delighted by the fifteen fun, fairytale vignettes that make up this classic favourite including Cinderella, Humpty Dumpty, Three Blind Mice, and more.
Free with general museum admission.
*Please note that our standard museum admission policies will be in effect for this exhibition. The Children’s Museum reserves the right to restrict admitting children unaccompanied by adults as well as adults unaccompanied by children.
Exhibition Supporters: Global Winnipeg, Johnston Group & Toromont CAT
Explore a Winnipeg holiday tradition for all generations!
On display from Saturday, November 12, 2022 – Sunday, January 8, 2023, at the Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum is pleased to be the home of the last original Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes Display from the ninth-floor annex of the Eaton’s downtown store – fully restored and open to the public for a limited time only.
From November 12, 2022, until January 8, 2023, visitors of all ages will be delighted by the fifteen fun, fairytale vignettes that make up this classic favourite including Cinderella, Humpty Dumpty, Three Blind Mice, and more.
Free with general museum admission.
*Please note that our standard museum admission policies will be in effect for this exhibition. The Children’s Museum reserves the right to restrict admitting children unaccompanied by adults as well as adults unaccompanied by children.
Exhibition Supporters: Global Winnipeg, Johnston Group & Toromont CAT
**THE REMAINDER OF THIS EXHIBITION HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO PANDEMIC-RELATED MUSEUM CLOSURE**
Click here to see our latest COVID-19 Updates.
(Last Updated: December 25, 2021 @ 11:00AM)
The historic Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes will be showcased for the holidays at the Children’s Museum from November 13, 2021 – January 9, 2022. Visitors of all ages will be delighted by the fifteen fun, fairytale vignettes that make up this classic favourite including Cinderella, Humpty Dumpty, Three Blind Mice, and more.
Read More…
Guided Exhibition Tours
Available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 13, 2021 – January 9, 2022**
Price: $5.00 (plus GST) per person
The Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes are a traditional holiday favourite for generations of Winnipeggers. We are pleased to honour that tradition by offering guided tours of the exhibition to guests of all ages every** Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 13, 2021 – January 9, 2022 at 11:00AM and 2:00PM. Guided Exhibition Tours are included in general museum admission during the holiday season or are available for $5.00 (plus GST) per person.
Additional Information:
- La visite est offerte en français sur demande. Veuillez-vous inscrire au moins un jour à l’ avance auprès au 204.924.4005.
Tours are offered in French on demand. Please register at least a day in advance at 204.924.4005.
- If you are interested in booking a tour for your group outside of these standard tour times, please contact our Sales & Bookings Coordinator at 204.924.4005.
- Please note that these tours are open to adult visitors unaccompanied by children.
- **Tours will not be available on December 24, 25, and 31 due to holiday closures and New Year’s Eve programming.
- Current public health restrictions apply to all visitors. Please review our COVID-19 Guidelines here prior to your visit.
- The facility is open to fully immunized people only. Proof of immunization and identification are required for all visitors 12 years of age and older upon arrival.
- Unvaccinated children under 12 may attend only if accompanied by a fully immunized adult.
- The use of non-medical face masks is required by all visitors (ages 5 and up) within the facility’s public and communal spaces. Masks must be worn in such a way which covers your mouth, chin and nose without gapping. We encourage you to bring your own reusable mask to wear; however, disposable masks (in child and adult sizes) are also available for purchase onsite for $1.00 each (plus tax).
Exhibition Sponsors
- Terracon Development Ltd.
- Toromont CAT
- Global Winnipeg
**THE REMAINDER OF THIS EXHIBITION HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO PANDEMIC-RELATED MUSEUM CLOSURE**
Click here to see our latest COVID-19 Updates.
(Last Updated: December 25, 2021 @ 11:00AM)
The historic Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes will be showcased for the holidays at the Children’s Museum from November 13, 2021 – January 9, 2022. Visitors of all ages will be delighted by the fifteen fun, fairytale vignettes that make up this classic favourite including Cinderella, Humpty Dumpty, Three Blind Mice, and more.
Read More…
Guided Exhibition Tours
Available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 13, 2021 – January 9, 2022**
Price: $5.00 (plus GST) per person
The Eaton’s Fairytale Vignettes are a traditional holiday favourite for generations of Winnipeggers. We are pleased to honour that tradition by offering guided tours of the exhibition to guests of all ages every** Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 13, 2021 – January 9, 2022 at 11:00AM and 2:00PM. Guided Exhibition Tours are included in general museum admission during the holiday season or are available for $5.00 (plus GST) per person.
Additional Information:
- La visite est offerte en français sur demande. Veuillez-vous inscrire au moins un jour à l’ avance auprès au 204.924.4005.
Tours are offered in French on demand. Please register at least a day in advance at 204.924.4005.
- If you are interested in booking a tour for your group outside of these standard tour times, please contact our Sales & Bookings Coordinator at 204.924.4005.
- Please note that these tours are open to adult visitors unaccompanied by children.
- **Tours will not be available on December 24, 25, and 31 due to holiday closures and New Year’s Eve programming.
- Current public health restrictions apply to all visitors. Please review our COVID-19 Guidelines here prior to your visit.
- The facility is open to fully immunized people only. Proof of immunization and identification are required for all visitors 12 years of age and older upon arrival.
- Unvaccinated children under 12 may attend only if accompanied by a fully immunized adult.
- The use of non-medical face masks is required by all visitors (ages 5 and up) within the facility’s public and communal spaces. Masks must be worn in such a way which covers your mouth, chin and nose without gapping. We encourage you to bring your own reusable mask to wear; however, disposable masks (in child and adult sizes) are also available for purchase onsite for $1.00 each (plus tax).
Exhibition Sponsors
- Terracon Development Ltd.
- Toromont CAT
- Global Winnipeg
