Imaginary Worlds

 

Just walking along on a Sunday afternoon…

Wow! It makes you wonder what kind of security force might emerge from a place like this, doesn’t it?

If you haven’t recognized the place already: it’s DoodleHATCH,  in the Long Reach Village Center. DoodleHATCH describes itself as an interactive art museum. You could also call it a kids’ play place, rather like the long-departed place on Dobbin (Explore-a-World?) but with a decidedly magical and out-of-this-world bent. 

DoodleHATCH is the creation of Lee Andersen, whose name may ring a bell if you have ever seen her fantastical clothing creations (ManneqART) or attended the FantasyWood Festival. She and her creative team have filled the old Safeway space in Long Reach with dozens of mini-worlds, magical nooks, and interactive invitations to play.

I stopped by on Sunday because I was looking for a different environment to help me do some creative brainstorming. 

Let’s face it - - I’m really just a big kid at heart. I grew up reading stories of magical experiences by Edith Nesbit and Edward Eager and DoodleHATCH is truly the playground of my imaginary worlds.

I wandered around while thinking of all the ways my childhood friends and I might have played in this space. This enormous bed is such an invitation to dive in and jump, roll around, cuddle stuffed animals, or even hold a teddy bear picnic.

This photo doesn’t do it justice. It is huge. I had to take this photo carefully because there’s actually a child in there, reading, and I didn’t want to compromise their privacy. What a perfect place to curl up with a good book!

This fellow did startle me a bit, but, he’s more goofy than creepy.

You can see all sorts of opportunities for artistic interaction as you move around the space.

This display of tiny sweaters brought to mind the story of The Elves and the Shoemaker.

I couldn’t fit this dragon into one photo but it’s definitely a work of art. Imagine all the stories you and your child could tell based on this creature.

DoodleHATCH is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for play, from 10 am to 5 pm. It is available for birthday parties and can be rented for other sorts of events as well.

Oh, and one last thing. It just so happened that I stumbled upon a live band while I was there on Sunday afternoon. The group Stand Up for Theater is preparing for a production of Rocky Horror to be presented at DoodleHATCH beginning October 21st. Visit their Facebook page for more information.

Tickets for the show may be purchased at this link. Please note: while DoodleHATCH is all about being kid-friendly, this particular show is suitable for the over-18 crowd.

I’m just in love with DoodleHATCH and want more people to know about it. I can imagine so many different ways to make use of and enjoy this space. Creative writing prompts? They’ve got a gazillion! Teens with their first iPhones? Endless instagramable settings! Treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, map-making, story telling, tea parties…

You get the picture. Drive over soon and check them out. You can book your entry in advance if you like.