Location: Jordan Well, Coventry, CV1 5QP
Incy visited the Herbert for the first time this summer, and went back twice more during the 6-week school break. New for this Summer was an Early Years exhibition called Playful Planets; a multi-sensory room aimed at babies and children up to 4 years old. But why stop at 4? With a sand pit, balance boards, stackable cushions and a beautiful backdrop, Playful Planets was Incy’s favourite exhibition.
The room was re-decorated this Summer with a mural painted by artist Jessica Hartshorn (@jessiillustrates) who is a talented author and illustrator Incy met earlier this year. Jessi’s mural perfectly met the playful planets theme – rich colours used to depict anthropomorphised planets zooming around a jet-black night sky, littered with stars.
The best part of this floor-to-ceiling mural, which covers every wall, are the cute and funny expressions. These are found on the faces of the planets and the flaming comets hurtling towards dinosaurs, who watch as the comets approach with the most adorable bewildered or apprehensive expressions. In another part of the room a sensory water tube bubbles in a quiet corner and here Jessi has painted a beautiful sea backdrop to complement the calming blue of this area.
Incy made good use of Playful Planets before it closed at the end of August. More information and pictures can be found here Playful Planet | Early Years Exhibition – The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum We’re hoping the Herbert does something similar in the future.
Check back to Incy Appleseed.com for another post with more on what Incy saw at the Herbert and about the permanent exhibitions, coming soon.