<i>The Art of Eric Carle: Bees, Butterflies, and Other Bugs</i> Opens April 7
Amherst, MA (March 13, 2015)—The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art presents The Art of Eric Carle: Bees, Butterflies, and Other Bugs on view April 7 through August 30, 2015. The exhibition highlights the wings, stings, and crawling things that have appeared in Carle’s art throughout his career, from advertisements created in the late 1960s to familiar picture book favorites such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Grouchy Ladybug. Exhibit-related programs include a community art project and a Children’s Book Festival on June 6th.
As a child, Carle was interested in insects, a curiosity sparked by his father who took him on walks in the woods. In Carle’s own words, “I remember the excitement of lifting stones or peeling back the bark of dead tress to discover the living things that crawled, crept, and scurried about there.”
In the Museum’s West Gallery, visitors will see original tissue-paper collages featuring creatures from Carle’s books including The Very Clumsy Click Beetle, The Very Lonely Firefly, and Do You Want To Be My Friend? “There is such variety to be found in this exhibition,” says Courtney Waring, Director of Education. “In addition to well-known favorites, including The Very Quiet Cricket and The Very Busy Spider, there are illustrations from books that are out of print as well as some of Carle’s independent art.”
Carle’s books will be available in the gallery for family reading time. New to the space is a comfortable play area where young children can engage with various bug puppets to reenact their favorite Eric Carle stories or make up their own. Guests are also invited to make Beautiful Bug Collages in The Carle’s Every Day Art Program.
COMMUNITY ART PROJECT
Along with the many programs offered in conjunction with The Art of Eric Carle: Bees, Butterflies, and Other Bugs, The Carle is inviting community members to participate in Colorful Bugs: A Community Art Project. This summer, decorative webs will be woven around select trees in the Museum’s apple orchard, and artists of all ages are invited to create small fabric bugs to add to them. More information on this fun art project will be listed on The Carle’s website in April.
EXHIBITION PROGRAMMING
Butterflies & Caterpillars: A Springtime Family Workshop
April 19, 2015
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
$25 per pair or trio (Members $21.25)
(Ages 6 and up with an adult; up to 2 children per adult)
Celebrate spring with open-ended, butterfly-themed activities for the whole family! We’ll discuss the migration of the Monarch, create and personalize handmade nature observation journals, design insect sculptures with natural materials, and construct paper butterfly gardens to give as gifts or display at home. Workshop does not include Museum admission.
Special Storytime: Paul Czajak and The Brothers Hilts
April 25, 2:00 pm
Free with Museum admission
Join author Paul Czajak and the award-winning illustrators the Brothers Hilts for story time as Paul reads from their new book, Seaver the Weaver, a story about a unique spider. Afterward, the Brothers Hilts will give a presentation in which they discuss their distinctive illustration style, their inspirations, and their process of creating art for Seaver the Weaver.
Every Day Art Program: Beautiful Bug Collages
May 27 - June 23
Insects come in many colors and sizes. Have fun using patterned papers to create your own colorful bug compositions.
Children’s Book Festival: Bees, Butterflies and Other Bugs
Saturday, June 6
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Inspired by The Carle’s exhibition, The Art of Eric Carle: Bees, Butterflies, and Other Bugs, join us for a day celebrating these small creatures! Activities include fun art projects, a workshop with Luminarium Dance Company, a presentation with Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory, story times, book signings, and more. Creative bug costumes welcome! Free with Museum admission.
BUGS! with Stand-up Chameleon Jackson Gillman
Saturday, June 27, 2015
11:00 am and 1:00 pm
$5 (Members $4)
What do doodlebugs, spiders, ants and other crawlies have in common? Laugh and learn in this comic revue of songs and stories.
Little Kids Yoga
Toddlers 15 months to 5 years with a caregiver
Instructor: Corinne Andrews
Wednesdays in July (July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29)
9:30 - 10:15 am
$130 for 1 adult and 1 child (Members $110)
$150 for 1 adult and 2 children (Members $130)
Pre-registration by June 20 required
This specially designed yoga class for toddlers and their adult caregivers brings everyone together to join in the yoga fun! Classes take place in the gallery and include a welcoming circle, breathing time, a musical sun salute, and movements inspired by works of art on view in the exhibition, The Art of Eric Carle: Bees, Butterflies, and Other Bugs. This developmentally appropriate class fosters a sense of body connection, self-awareness, and the celebration of community.
