Rachael Guma

Rachael Guma is a light and sound artist whose work often explores motion studies, deconstruction, the interplay of sound and image, improvisation within constraints, and serendipitous moments. Using stop motion animation, Guma conveys unconventional narratives infused with humor and lightness. Taking inspiration from Bill Viola: Moving Stillness and works on view at the Museum, she has designed intergenerational workshops exploring sound, image, and movement with a focus on the history of cinema and pre-cinematic devices.

Rachael Guma’s work has been featured at institutions including the Whitney Museum of American Art, Museum of the Moving Image, Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), Anthology Film Archives, The Kitchen, Roulette Intermedium, BRIC Arts Media, and internationally at venues such as Das Haus der Kulturen der Welt and the Paul Klee Museum. As a dedicated Teaching Artist, she has led programs in New York City, Brooklyn, and Long Island public schools through organizations such as BRIC, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the Children’s Museum of the Arts, and Magic Box Productions. In 2024, her students’ film Lone was featured in the NYC Public School Film Festival. She was a recipient of the 2022 New York State Teaching Artist Mentorship Program and played a key role in developing moving image lessons for the NYC Department of Education during the 2020 stay-at-home order. Her expertise in sound led her to teach workshops as part of the Blueprint for Learning: Moving Image professional development program. Guma’s latest project, Sunflower Lane, was awarded a 2025 NYSCA Artist Grant.

Support of the Teaching Artist-in-Residence program is provided by Albert Lee Massimi.

Public Workshops

Led by Teaching Artist-in-Residence Rachael Guma

Expanded Talk on Expanded Cinema
Sunday, May 18, 2pm
Inspired by Bill Viola: Moving Stillness, light and sound artist Rachael Guma leads an interactive talk on expanded cinema—an approach that transforms film and video into immersive, multi-sensory experiences. Explore the history of this experimental art form and learn how to use analog technologies to create cinematic works beyond the traditional screen. The program culminates in a collaborative performance, inviting participants to engage with light, sound, and motion in new ways. Recommended for ages 10+.

Planetary Sounds
Sunday, August 10, 2025, 1:30–3:30pm
What do the planets sound like? Find out by playing the theremin—an instrument that produces sound without touch! Teaching Artist-in-Residence Rachael Guma introduces this early electronic instrument, demonstrating how to control pitch and volume to create otherworldly tones. In this drop-in workshop, presented in collaboration with the New York Theremin Society on its 20th anniversary, participants can take turns experimenting with this unique instrument. Recommended for ages 4+.

Prismatic Landscapes
Saturday, October 25, 1:30–3:30pm
Draw inspiration from Bill Viola: Moving Stillness, Hudson River School paintings, and the river itself to create an abstract landscape of the Hudson and the Palisades. Using Polaroid cameras and prisms, experiment with light and reflection to transform familiar scenery into a dreamlike composition. Recommended for ages 10+. Materials provided; registration recommended.

Fairy Tales One Frame at a Time
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 1–4pm
Bring classic fairy tales to life through stop-motion animation! Inspired by the Minton fairy tale tiles designed by J. Moyr Smith in Glenview’s Great Hall, create your own animated scene featuring beloved characters like Cinderella and Rumpelstiltskin. This three-hour workshop requires a smartphone or tablet with the Stop Motion Studio app installed. Recommended for ages 7+. Registration recommended.

Family Art Workshops

Led by Junior Docents

Recycled Rhythms
Saturdays & Sundays in April & November, 2025, 12–4pm
Saturdays & Sundays April 4, 5, 11, 12, 2026, 12–4pm
Turn everyday objects into musical instruments in this hands-on workshop designed by Teaching Artist-in-Residence Rachael Guma. An empty toilet paper roll can become a shaker, a soda can a flute—the possibilities are endless! Using provided recyclable materials, families explore sound, creativity, and sustainability while making music together. Recommended for ages 5+.

Cinematic Wearables
Saturdays & Sundays in June 2025, 12–4pm
Saturdays & Sundays in January 2026, 12–4pm
Transform 16mm film into unique wearable art! Weave, braid, and sculpt film strips into one-of-a-kind bracelets, earrings, and necklaces in this hands-on workshop. All materials provided. Recommended for ages 4+.

Thaumatropes in Spaaaaaace!
Saturdays & Sundays in September 2025, 12–4pm
Saturdays & Sundays in March 2026, 12–4pm
Create a cosmic optical illusion! Make a thaumatrope—a pre-cinematic toy that merges two images into one—featuring your zodiac constellation as seen in the Planetarium. Then, turn your creation into a wearable necklace. All materials provided. Recommended for ages 4+.