Collecting Coventry: Community Day Event

About

Join us in celebrating the launch of our Collecting Coventry exhibition, at our Community Event on 11th May.

Drop In | FREE*

This FREE event offers visitors an exciting first glimpse into the exhibition, showcasing a catalogue of objects that reflect 75 years of collecting efforts, and explores core themes such as Human History, Visual Art, and Natural Sciences.

The Event will also feature a variety of activities and workshops suitable for all ages. Whether you're interested in hands-on crafts, informative talks, or engaging workshops, there will be something for everyone to enjoy!

*Optional extra cost for The Handcrafted Hen workshop

Activities and Workshops

Origami Messages

12pm – 3pm | The Long Gallery | Drop In | FREE | Suitable for all ages

Take part in a relaxed activity by writing your messages of hope, thoughts and ideas on beautiful origami paper.

Learn the art of folding your messages into paper sculptures, by taking inspiration from the elephant in the Coventry Crest or other animals that inspire you.

This activity will be a creative way to engage with the exhibition.

Store Tours

12:30pm – 3:30pm | Gallery 3, 4, 5, 6 | FREE | Bookable on the day at Welcome Desk | Suitable for all ages

Join our curatorial team, for a behind the scenes tour, of the Collecting Coventry exhibition! Each tour, will focus on a specific gallery within the exhibition space, including Social History, Natural Sciences, and Art.

This is a fantastic opportunity to siscover key pieces from our spectacular collection, and gain insight into The Hebert's curatorial practises.

*Tour's run every hour. Spaces are limited, and are bookable on the day at Welcome Desk. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment and enjoy our museum galleries, craft activities and Dippy display while you wait.

Social History
12.30pm - 1pm
1.30pm - 2pm
2.30pm - 3pm

Natural Sciences
12.30pm - 1pm
1.30pm - 2pm
2.30pm - 3pm

Art & Paintings
12.30pm - 1pm
1.30pm - 2pm 
2.30pm - 3pm

Finding a Voice with Nahem Shoa

2pm – 3pm | The Studio | FREE | Drop In | Suitable for all ages

Join Contemporary artist, Nahem Shoa, as he talks about his pioneering oil portraits of British people of colour. Why he felt the need to paint them and why they remain still so relevant today

Shoa will discuss the racism he received throughout his career, how his Giant head of Gbenga Ilumoka was painted, & his friendship with fellow artist, Gbenga Ilumoka and why he chose to paint this portrait on a grand scale, directly from life.

Object Handling

12pm – 3:30pm | The Bridge | FREE (Drop in) | Suitable for children aged 3+

Join our Learning and Engagement Tea, and get hands-on with a range of WW2 objects from our collection! From gas masks, and military uniform, to ARP kits, this is a great way for kids to engage with the exhibition, and learn fascinating facts about Coventry, in a fun and relaxed setting.

Japanese-Style Stab Binding With The Handcrafted Hen

10am – 2:30pm | Learning Space 1 | Book Online | £41.34 per person | Ages 16+

Japanese stab binding is a decorative technique where individual sheets of paper are stitched together to create a book. In the western tradition of bookbinding the binding is generally hidden, but in the Eastern Asian tradition stab binding allows the stitch to be on the outside and part of the decoration.

 Explore four different stab binding techniques from the basic to the more complex, and create up to 4 A5 booklets; One containing 5 sheets of Khadi cotton rag paper suitable for drawing and watercolour painting.