A whole host of fun activities for all the family have been lined up at The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum to mark its official re-launch.

The free events have been organised to highlight the new facilities at the £20 million refurbishment and extension at the venue in Jordan Well in Coventry city centre.

Youngsters are invited to create fantastic sculptures in Hands on Sculpture – Raise the Roof, with artist Jim Morris on Thursday, October 30 and Friday, October 31, which will encourage families to be inspired by the Herbert's  new covered court area and produce their own exciting structures.

Children also have the opportunity to build weird and wonderful creatures and monsters out of junk with artist Shiam Wilcox in Hands on Sculpture – ‘Rubbish’ Creatures, on Saturday, November 1, and Sunday, November 2.

Actors from The Triangle Theatre Company will also be dressed up in period costumes and will mingle with members of the public in the new History Gallery so the venue will be a hive of activity.

To kick off half-term and to celebrate the national event of The Big Draw, young artists can create spectacular window displays in the learning space on Saturday, October 25, inspired by the themes in the Ana Maria Pacheco exhibition which will be underway at the end of this month.

Children will also have the chance to make mythical creature puppets and masks during A World of Stories, from Monday, October 27 to Wednesday, October 29.

Half-term sessions will take place between 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm in Learning Space One at The Herbert.

Melanie Corner, Learning Officer (Family) at The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, said the activities were designed to promote the new space now available following the multi-million pound re-launch.

“We are all extremely proud of the new building and the extra space means we can offer more free activities for all the family, particularly during the school holidays,” she said.

“This is a great opportunity for children and their families to be among the first visitors to see the new-look Herbert as well as develop their art and craft skills.”

For further information, contact Melanie on 024 7629 4755.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Herbert redevelopment project is jointly funded by Coventry City Council,  the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF),  the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Renaissance West Midlands, the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) Wolfson Foundation Fund, Advantage West Midlands and English Heritage.

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