The Innovation Lab is an open area in the museum gallery that serves as a staging ground for large educational activities. Although the space is largely empty, its walls are lined with sixteen plexiglass-encased cabinets. Throughout late 2016 I worked to modify these compartments to display artifacts. I installed a small, circular LED light to the roof of every opening, carefully measuring the spacing for each one to ensure uniformity, and drilled holes through the walls in order to connect all of the wiring. All the lights were connected to central, remote-activated switches. After mounting the LED’s, I cut and secured 1/4-inch thick foam-core panels around them to hide their wires.
The Innovation Lab is a very versatile location for shifting exhibits. The displays are locked, but are easily accessible to museum staff if needed. After its modifications, the Lab soon hosted a semi-permanent exhibit on the history of the WaterPik company. This collection is occasionally removed to make room for temporary displays, but is easily rebuilt.
