2 New Academy Studios Exhibits

Academy Studios is pleased to announce the opening of two new exhibitions designed and fabricated, start to finish, by our in-house staff. Be sure to visit next time your travels take you to Albuquerque or Akron!

Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

Albuquerque, New Mexico

When the AAAIBM team approached Academy Studios earlier this year with the challenge of opening a completely new museum by October, we decided to go for it. With only five months to develop, design and build the exhibits, the clock was ticking from the moment we began. Time was of the essence. Could we build something that satisfied the needs of the educators, curators, building and budget?
We could. The resulting exhibit opened to massive crowds on the first day of the annual Balloon Fiesta, drawing in balloonists and spectators alike. The exhibits explore how the balloon has changed history - from the first flight to 1950s scientific exploration, from record-breaking feats of endurance to fun and games at local rallies. Immersive environments, artifacts, graphics and interactives encourage visitors to learn more about the amazing world of balloons.

Akron Zoological Park Education Center: The Komodo Kingdom Cafe and Lizard Lounge

Akron, Ohio

The newest exhibits at Akron Zoo dare to take on the most challenging audience: tween and teenagers. With a host of exhibits focusing on the stroller set, the zoo decided to reach out to an older audience. The mission? To get visitors to think about the decisions they make, and to choose sustainable, environmentally-friendly options.
Using research done by marketing experts, Academy Studios designed the exhibits to appeal to the basic needs of teenagers - socializing with friends and being away from parents. The Lizard Lounge offers lounge-like seating in glowing, grafitti-covered pods, where teens can sit back and relax with their friends. In the center of the pods are hands-on exhibits and scrapboards exploring various disciplines - car design, clothing design, architecture, farming, biology and professional sports. The exhibits offer up sustainable alternatives to traditional methods, and encourage visitors to make sustainable choices in their own lives. A rock traverse wall, games and models keep the experience fun and exciting. Even the restrooms have tips on water and waste conservation at home, and point out exciting features in the LEEDS-minded building.

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