THE ANIMAL kingdom comes to Rugby Art Gallery and Museum later this month with the opening of a new exhibition.
Great and Small: Crafted Creatures invites children and families to explore their age-old fascination with animals and creatures, with more than 30 objects selected from the Crafts Council Collection.
The exhibition, which opens on Saturday June 21 – the day of Rugby Art Gallery and Museum’s Big Birthday Bash – features creatures crafted from clay, wood, metal, glass and textiles, revealing the techniques and materials which bring craftmakers’ imaginations to life.
Great and Small: Crafted Creatures has been developed and designed for families and young people to engage with crafts, and features works from renowned craftmakers including Richard Slee, Kate Malone, Susanna Heron, Howard Raybould, Sam Smith and Katherine Morling.
The exhibition also includes interpretation panels co-written by six to 11-year-olds, a children’s Haiku poetry section, a colourful height chart where children can compare heights with creatures from the animal kingdom, and a range of other family-friendly activities.
Coun Maggie O’Rourke, Rugby Borough Council’s spokesperson for partnerships and wellbeing, said: “We’re delighted to have partnered with the Crafts Council to bring this fantastic touring exhibition to Rugby, which promises to introduce a new generation to the wonderful world of contemporary craft.
“Great and Small: Crafted Creatures has been specifically designed with children and families in mind, with interactive elements encouraging visitors to explore and engage with the exhibition, so it’s a perfect destination for a school summer holiday outing.”
The Crafts Council, the national charity for craft, works to inspire making, empower learning and nurture craft businesses.
Since its launch in 1972, the charity has established the national Crafts Council Collection, the Crafts magazine and Collect, the leading international fair for contemporary craft and design held annually in London.
Coun Neil Sandison, Rugby Borough Council’s Liberal Democrat group spokesperson for partnerships and wellbeing, said: “Children will love exploring the menagerie of crafted creatures and animals on display in this exhibition, and the Big Birthday Bash is the perfect opportunity to be one of the first families to experience it.”
Great and Small: Crafted Creatures runs at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum until Saturday September 6.
Visit www.ragm.co.uk for more information about exhibitions and events at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum.
