Special Exhibition
Elmer and Friends
13 October 2021 - 9 January 2022
The Colourful World of David McKee
An exhibition from Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books.
13 October 2021 to 9 January 2022
For the first time ever, families from across the region will be able to step into David McKee’s colourful world in this characteristically playful Seven Stories exhibition as it celebrates over 30 years of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant.
First stop will be Elmer’s world, where visitors will be greeted by a giant Elmer jigsaw and enjoy the ultimate Instagram moment. The adventure continues as guests walk through Elmer’s jungle, encountering characters and stories along the way.
As well as illustrations from the Elmer series there will be original artwork from Not Now Bernard, Mr Benn and King Rollo as well as the opportunity to dress up in fancy dress from the costume shop featured in Mr Benn.
Visitors will be able to explore David McKee’s vibrant illustrations in great depth through the use of many multi-sensory elements including colour, texture and sound plus visualise McKee’s use of perspective through an interactive mirrored walkway.
Copyright David McKee, 2021. Licensed by Andersen Press Ltd.
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Opening hours:
Daily: 9.00am - 4.30pm
Sunday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Bank Holidays: 10.00am - 4.00pm -
Admissions:
10% discount for Annual Pass or Day Entry booked online using discount code DM01
Book now -
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Exhibition Information
Location: Special Exhibitions
Museum MapThis exhibition is included as a part of your entrance timed ticket.
Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books, works with children’s books to create meaningful experiences for children and young people, in order to fire their imagination and creativity and deepen their understanding of themselves and the world.
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Family Activities
Elmer on Tour
Elmer will be travelling around Dorset, visiting Libraries on the way. Join in the fun with activities and storytelling at each location.
Inspired by the illustrations in the Elmer books, Elmer the elephant has been decorated by pupils from Wyke Regis Infant School with the help of artist Caroline Parrott and the Dorset Museum.
- Dorchester Library: Tuesday 12th October until Thursday 28th October
- Weymouth Library: Saturday 30th October until Thursday 18th November
- Portland Library: Saturday 20th November – Thursday 9th December
- Gillingham Library: Saturday 11th December – Tuesday 28th December
- Bridport Library: Thursday 30th December – Saturday 8th January.
Schools
Available from 13th October 2021 until 9th January 2022
Early Years and Key Stage 1 pupils take part in our immersive and interactive workshops inspired by the works of David McKee. Themes of compassion, sharing, inclusivity are all explored during these fun workshops. Based in the Elmer and Friends: The Colourful World of David McKee Special Exhibition and our John White’s Learning Centre at Dorset Museum children will have fun exploring and discovering Elmer’s colourful world!
How To Book
For booking your visit and lunch space or an unguided visit.
Call: 01305 262735
Contact usElmer and Friends Workshops
Charlottes Piggy Bank workshop
Explore and investigate the stories hidden in the pages of ‘Charlottes Piggy Bank’, and create stories for the characters you discover. This workshop is an interactive experience aimed at Key Stage 1 inspired by the book ‘Charlottes Piggy Bank’ by David McKee.
Cost: £160.00 | Duration: 60 minutes + extra time to explore the Elmer Exhibition and Museum.
Aimed at: Key Stage
Elmer and the Rainbow workshop
There has been a terrible storm and Elmer needs your help! Children take part in a special adventure to bring some colour and happiness to the animals in Elmer’s jungle. This workshop is an immersive session for Nursery aged children inspired by the book ‘Elmer and the Rainbow’ by David McKee
Cost: £160.00 | Duration: 45 minutes + extra time to explore the Elmer Exhibition and Museum
Aimed at: Nursery
Elmer’s Special Day workshop
Join Elmer in a very special story about including friends and celebrating who you are. Children have their very own special day parade with a craft activity that encourages them to think positively about themselves in a fun way. This workshop is an interactive session for Reception aged children inspired by the book ‘Elmer’s Special Day’ by David McKee
Cost: £160.00 | Duration: 60 minutes + extra time to explore the Elmer Exhibition and Museum
Aimed at: Reception
We’re Good To Go
We have gained the Visit England ‘We’re Good To Go’ kitemark confirming we’re following national COVID 19 guidelines for managing visits to our site.
✔ Face masks must still be worn to keep you, our staff and our volunteers safe unless you are exempt!
✔ You must still check-in via the Track and Trace app.
✔ Sanitisation stations will still be in place and we encourage you to use them.
✔ Social distancing will remain.
✔ Regular cleaning of our interactive exhibits will still take place.
This guidance will stay in place until further notice.
What's on
18 February - 22 June 2023
The Art of Seeing: An exhibition of photographs by Dorchester Camera Club
The Club is delighted to have this opportunity to exhibit some of their members’ prints in the Dorset Museum together with an audio-visual presentation.
Find out more22 March - 25 June 2023
ARTIST ROOMS Louise Bourgeois
Explore the work of Louise Bourgeois (1911–2010), one of the most important figures of modern and contemporary art. This spring Dorset Museum will show a major presentation of her work in this ARTIST ROOMS touring exhibition featuring works jointly owned by Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland.
Find out more28 March 2023, 11:00am - 12:00noon
Dorset Museum Highlights Tour
Explore 250 million years of Dorset’s history in this volunteer-led highlights tour of Dorset Museum. Discover Roman mosaics, fossils from the Jurassic Coast, Thomas Hardy manuscripts and the sculptures of Elisabeth Frink – and plenty more along the way.
Find out more1 April 2023, 10:00am to 4:30pm
One day life painting pose
This is a structured class that will take students through the traditional monochrome underpainting approach to painting the figure in oils. Same pose all day…
Find out more1 April 2023, 3:00pm - 7:00pm
The Great Museums Easter Trail 2023
Have an egg-stra special start to the Easter holidays with The Great Museums Easter Trail. A family-friendly event from Dorset Museum, The Keep Military Museum, and Shire Hall Museum, you can visit all three museums in one extraordinary afternoon.
Find out more4 April 2023, 10:00am-12:00noon
Louise Bourgeois’ Spirals | ArtyFacts
Make patterns, shapes, and spirals by drawing, painting, printing, and paper crafting. Inspired by Louise Bourgeois' artworks.
Find out more4 April 2023, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Archaeology Highlights Tour
Explore archaeological treasures held by Dorset Museum – from Bronze Age gold to medieval silver - in this volunteer-led tour.
Find out more6 April 2023, 10:00am-12:00noon
Louise Bourgeois’ Spirals | ArtyFacts
Make patterns, shapes, and spirals by drawing, painting, printing, and paper crafting. Inspired by Louise Bourgeois' artworks.
Find out more20 April 2023, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
FREE | Museum After Hours
Join us for an opportunity to explore the Museum at this FREE late opening.
Find out more