KINZUA AREA DISCOVERY CENTER
WARREN COUNTY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Project Type:
Children’s Museum
Role:
Creative Director & Art Director
Scope:
Creative Visioning
Project Description:
Kinzua Area Discovery Center was a creative visioning and development project for a children’s museum in Warren County, Pennsylvania. The concept imagined the museum as an indoor outdoor-inspired adventure where families follow an enchanted river through playful landscapes, local stories, animal characters, and hands-on learning experiences.

My Responsibilities:

  • Narrative and Storyline Development

  • Guest Journey

  • Activity Program Development

  • Diagram Development and Masterplanning

  • Developed Initial Sketches

  • Visual & Art Direction

  • Package Coordination & Delivery

Narrative foundation

Growing Up Together Through Adventure
The museum was envisioned as a shared family adventure where nature acts as both gateway and
guide, encouraging children and caregivers to create, share, discover, and play together.

A children’s museum vision rooted in Warren County nature, local history, family discovery, and play.

GUEST JOURNEY

Families step through the trees into a whimsical indoor landscape, following an enchanted river that connects each zone. Along the way, native animal friends, playful perspectives, and layered discoveries invite guests to look up, look down, and explore Warren County through fresh eyes.

A WORLD OF WONDER

Leave the ordinary behind to explore a playground waiting just beyond the tree line. Step through the enchanted forest and into a world of whimsy and fun—where nature invites you to explore, dappled light dances through the leaves and every space is designed to feel welcoming, alive and full of wonder.

CONNECTED BY WATER

Follow an ever-flowing, enchanted river as it weaves through each zone—where every bend leads to discovery, every ripple carries a story, and every adventure is one that families take together. As the source of magic in the museum, this river brings the world to life, sparking wonder and imagination at every turn.

animal friends

Meet a cast of delightful animal friends, each native to Warren County, with their own story to share. Whether it’s a clever fox with a knack for discovery, a playful otter navigating the river’s twists and turns, or a wise old eagle soaring overhead, these characters invite you into their whimsical world of play. See the world through their eyes as they offer fresh perspectives and make every moment unforgettable.

playful perspectives

As you journey up or downstream, follow their lead and keep your eyes open—look up to find hidden messages in the treetops, look down to discover wonders beneath your feet, and look all around for surprises waiting around every bend.

STRATEGY & GUIDING PILLARS

The museum was organized around four guiding pillars — Create, Share, Discover, and Play — each translating nature into a different type of guest engagement: imagination, connection, curiosity, and active learning.

PROGRAM & MASTERPLAN

Organizing the museum around a central hub, winding river, and four themed learning-through-play zones.

Selected Zone Highlights

ARRIVAL EXPERIENCE

The arrival extends the museum story beyond the front doors, transforming the exterior into a playful threshold where families encounter nature-inspired play.

CENTRAL HUB | NATURE AS THE GATEWAY

The heart of the museum, where an enchanted forest climber, treetop skywalk, eagle marionette, toddler play, and gathering space introduce families to the world.

SHARE |

COMMUNITY & ROLE PLAY

A collaborative zone celebrating local food, farming, market play, maple tapping, apple picking, and farm-to-market storytelling.

PLAY | ACTIVE LEARNING THROUGH NATURE

A movement-focused zone with the Allegheny River Adventure water table and Boulder Ridge climbing course, encouraging physical play, exploration, and sensory discovery.

Key Contributions

  • Led creative direction, narrative development, and art direction for a full children’s museum visioning package.

  • Developed the museum’s big idea, guest journey, guiding pillars, and zone structure around nature, family adventure, and learning through play.

  • Translated local landscapes, wildlife, history, and community identity into immersive exhibit and activity concepts.

  • Guided program development across physical play, creative play, role play, sensory exploration, water play, maker activities, and family gathering spaces.

  • Directed master planning and visual storytelling to connect the entry, central hub, outdoor area, and exhibit zones into one cohesive guest experience.

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All images courtesy of RWS Global.