Last chance to see Painting with Rainbows – A Michael Foreman Exhibition

This June heralds the end of Painting with Rainbows – A Michael Foreman Exhibition at Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books before it begins its national tour.

This June is the last chance for visitors to explore Seven Stories’ Painting with Rainbows – A Michael Foreman Exhibition before it closes on Tuesday 14 June and travels to Harris Museum and Art Gallery in Preston to begin its national tour.  The exhibition has proved a huge success since it opened in July 2015 to relaunch Seven Stories after its Capital Refurbishment Project.

Michael Foreman is one of Britain’s best-known and internationally acclaimed creators of books for children.  A multi award winning author, he has been illustrating for children for over 50 years. With original artwork on show alongside playful props and costumes, Seven Stories’ exhibition explores Michael’s storytelling, and imagines a world without conflict, that cares for our environment and celebrates the importance of friendship.

Michael Foreman added: "I am, of course, honoured to have been invited to exhibit at Seven Stories and very pleased with the way it has been made so interactive and child friendly. ‘The Tree of Hope,' where children can attach ribbons of their hopes and dreams adds a wonderfully positive and affirmative finale to the exhibition.  Thank you Seven Stories!"

Families are invited to add to the ‘Tree of Hope’ with messages for the future, explore stories of war and peace through War Boy, War Game, The General and Ali Pasha. A multi-sensory environment inspired by Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish and One World encourages building and play, Michael’s creative process is revealed in his artist’s studio and by his own personal artefacts. 

Events:

May Half Term: Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish • Saturday 28 May – Sunday 5 June

Themed activities will continue until the end of the exhibition

Families are encouraged to think about the environment and tackle All That Rubbish at Seven Stories by helping to create a GIANT dinosaur out of junk and papier mache.  The messy events taking place in the centre’s creative Studio throughout the week celebrate author Michael Foreman’s picturebook Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish which is featured in the exhibition.  Dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes will add their junk scales to a GIANT diplodocus as well as build their own mini junk prehistoric creatures to take home. Little dinos can experiment with plasticine to create their own fossiled dinosaur prints.

Continuing the green theme, families travelling by Metro to Seven Stories this May Half Term can gain one free child entry with every full-paying adult. Offer runs from Saturday 28 May right through the summer until Sunday 4 September 2016. Keep hold of your Metro tickets to show our Reception team.

Go Wild with Zoolab • Thursday 2 June, 1.30-4.30pm and Friday 3rd June, 10.3am-1.30pm

Meet the diverse Animal Team behind Zoolab - the UK’s number one animal handling experience company.

Click here for more information.

The dino-themed fun continues this June with a Father's Day special: Dino Dads, Sunday 19th June and comic strip workshops with the talented Sally Kindberg, Saturday 18th June.

END

Media Contact

For images, quotes or interviews, please contact:

Hannah Lambert – Marketing and Digital Coordinator

Seven Stories, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle NE1 2PQ

T: 0300 330 1095 ext 223

E: hannah.lambert@sevenstories.org.uk

Notes to Editor:

Painting with Rainbows - A Michael Foreman Exhibition opened Saturday 20 July and is supported by Andersen Press, Templar Publishing and Pavilion Books. With thanks to the Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust and the Ernest Cook Trust. Exhibition designed by Sheridan Design.

Seven Stories – The National Centre for Children’s Books.

Seven Stories is the only place in Britain dedicated to the art of children’s books and the joy of reading, and one of just a few such places in the world. Our work is enjoyed by over 150,000 people every year.

Everything we do aims to inspire children and grown-ups to be curious, imaginative and creative. We strive to ensure that people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can take part to enjoy a lifetime of reading for pleasure.

Our home is a carefully converted Victorian warehouse in Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England. We opened in 2005 and our seven floors house galleries for exhibitions, performances and creative spaces, a specialist children’s bookshop and a café.

Seven Stories is widely recognised for our abilities and achievements. We have established an important collection of artwork, manuscripts and archives of Britain’s most acclaimed writers and illustrators for children from 1930s to the present day. We bring this unique treasure trove to life through playful and immersive exhibitions, an entertaining and informative public events programme and research opportunities.

Seven Stories was awarded National status by Arts Council England in 2012 in recognition of the significance of our Collection and its high standard of care, and the excellent way that we engage with our visitors and users. We were also awarded with a National Lottery Award in September 2013 after being voted the UK’s favourite education project.