The annual Big Draw kicks off a feast of family fun at The Bowes Museum during Half Term.

Artist Linda Birch, who is famous for her illustrations of the TV cat Bagpuss, will be taking part in the above national event, which takes place from 11.00-4.00 on Saturday 27th October, and will be passing on some of her drawing tips.

Other activities that day, which will take place in the Museum grounds, are related to the inaugural Stone Festival taking place in and around Barnard Castle. These will include drawing on stone paper and etching on stone blocks under the guidance of professional sculptors and letter carvers.

The above events are free for children under 16, but they must be accompanied by an adult who will be required to pay an admission charge should they wish to access the museum.

Enter the world of Giddy Pockets on Monday 29th October when Elaine Mills will be reading her book ‘Rainbow Day’ and showing participants how to create a model fantasy world. Sessions take place from 10.00-11.30 or 1.00-2.30 and cost £2.00 per child, who must be aged 4+. Booking is required for this event by calling 01833 690606.

It’s a bug’s life on Tuesday 30th October, when creepy crawlies are the order of the day. Drop in between 11.00-4.00 to create creepy crawly finger puppets, critter door signs and bug magnets. Storyteller Adam Bushnell will also be weaving some entertaining and exciting tales. This event is free for children under 16, who must be accompanied by an adult for whom normal admission applies.

Also on the 30th, there will free stone carving activities for children in the museum grounds from 11.00-4.00, again as part of the Stone Festival. See www.stonefestival.wordpress.com for full details of this and all the festival events.

And if that’s not enough you can Eat Your Art Out at a printing workshop on Wednesday 31st October. Take a look at the current Feast Your Eyes: the Fashion of Food in Art exhibition before creating your own print masterpiece. Sessions take place from 10.00-12.00 or 1.00-3.00 and cost £3.00 per child, who must be aged 6+. Booking is required on 01833 690606.

Rounding off the week will be a ‘Bonfire Spectacular’ on 1st and 2nd November. But we’re not setting the museum alight, merely preparing for bonfire night by making firework paintings, bonfire lanterns and rocket bookmarks. Sessions take place between 10.30-12.00 or 1.00-2.30, costing £2.00 per child, and should be booked in advance by calling the above number.

The Bowes Museum, Café Bowes and Shop are open daily from 10.00. A full programme of events and exhibitions is available by calling 01833 690606 or by viewing the website at www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk.

For press images or more information, please contact Sheila Dixon, Media and PR Officer 01833 694616 / sheila.dixon@thebowesmuseum.org.uk

Editors’ notes

• The Bowes Museum was created over 100 years ago by an extraordinary couple, John and Joséphine Bowes. Together they built up the greatest private collection of fine and decorative arts in the North of England and constructed a magnificent building to house them in. The collection contains thousands of objects including furniture, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and many other items covering an extensive range of European styles and periods.
• The Bowes Museum receives a core funding grant from Durham County Council and as a member of the North East Regional Museums Hub receives support from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport through the Museums, Library and Archives Council Renaissance programme. Additional revenue funding specifically for the Museum’s acclaimed exhibition programme is provided by Northern Rock Foundation.
• The Bowes Museum has recently undergone major redevelopment. This work was supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, One NorthEast through the County Durham Economic Partnership, English Heritage, Northern Rock Foundation, The Monument Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Foyle Foundation, The European Regional Development Fund, DCMS/Wolfson Museum and Galleries Improvement Fund, Designation Challenge Fund, The Shears Foundation, The Richard and Suzanna Tonks Family Fund at County Durham Foundation, Durham County Council, The Friends of The Bowes Museum, The Headley Trust, Sir James Knott Trust, Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust, Fenwick Ltd, Mercers Charitable Foundation, Welton Foundation. While we are endeavouring to keep as much of the collections on display as possible, visitors are advised to call ahead if wishing to see a specific item to check if it is on display.
• Normal admission to the museum: Adults £9.00, Concessions £8.00, Six Month Pass £12.00, Children Free (under 16s). Admission allows access to all exhibitions, permanent displays and some events. Admissions are donation inclusive and are eligible for Gift Aid. If you do not wish to make a charitable donation admission prices are: Adults £8.15, Concessions £7.25, Six Month Pass £10.00, Children (under 16) and carers free.
• The Bowes Museum is open daily from 10.00am.
• The Bowes Museum is a member of the Discover Durham partnership of attractions. Our commitment is to promote Durham as an exciting and vibrant group travel destination and to provide the travel trade with a professional and knowledgeable service: hotline number 0191 301 8531, www.discoverdurham.co.uk.
 

Back to category list