June 5 - December 31, 2012

Prepare to be amazed by this fascinating hand-constructed world of famous buildings and towers, which is made entirely of toothpicks and glue. During opening week you can watch Munro assemble a scaled, toothpick version of the Eiffel Tower.

This exhibition is supported by PSU Berks as part of its training for future teachers of science, technology, engineering and art. After training, student teachers will also receive the opportunity to bring their elementary and middle school classes to The Museum for a field trip, during which the student teachers will be able to put their training to the test.

Stan Munro's first venture into the realm of toothpicks was during an art class in fifth grade, in which the class was instructed to build a six-inch structure that was capable of supporting an egg. The structure not only supported the egg, but also his overturned desk. Over the years, his fascination with toothpick construction continued to grow until it became a full-time endeavor.

Stan's unique architectural art is a labor of love in more than just the artistic sense of the phrase. On his Web site, he states that everything he does is for his wife, Suzi, who is fighting Polycystic Kidney-Liver Disease. According to Suzi, he signs all of his towers with, "I Luv Suzi."

Since Stan needed to be at home for his wife he turned toothpicking into a full-time event. The Chrysler Tower, which is his wife's favorite building, was Stan's first toothpick tower. The Chrysler Tower replica took six months to complete since it was his first tower construction. Then, in 2006, he sold his first exhibition to a museum in Spain.

Stan and Suzi currently reside in North Syracuse, NY. Stan is working on his next exhibit, Toothpick City II: Temples and Towers, and actively encourages students and teachers to join the toothpick architectural adventure. On his website, he offers parents, teachers, and students ideas, tips and hints on learning about architecture and building their own toothpick towers.

Made possible through the additional support of Friends of the Reading Museum.