Art lovers and families have a new reason to visit the Michener Art Museum this winter and spring with the opening of "Small Living Things: The Magical Art of Eric Carle," a special exhibition running Feb. 14 through May 24.
The show highlights original artwork from beloved children’s books by Eric Carle, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar 🐛🍎, The Very Quiet Cricket, The Very Busy Spider, The Very Clumsy Click Beetle and The Grouchy Ladybug.
The exhibit also includes original sketches, process art and other visual material that illustrates Carle’s creative approach to picture book storytelling.
Visitors will find works drawn from Carle’s long career and his fascination with tiny creatures and animals — themes central to his art since his earliest books. In addition to artwork from the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation, the exhibition showcases objects that reflect Carle’s influence in contemporary culture, such as items from the Eric Carle-inspired McDonald’s Happy Meal toy series and a bronze sculpture by Nancy Schön.
Museum programming will accompany the exhibit, including family gallery tours, story times and interactive activities designed to connect children and adults with the art on view. Admission is included with museum entry; Michener members enjoy free previews and special events throughout the run.
"Small Living Things: The Magical Art of Eric Carle" offers a rare local opportunity to see original work by one of the most widely read picture book artists of all time, whose classic "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" has been translated into scores of languages and remains a staple of children’s literature.
The Michener Art Museum is located at 138 S. Pine Street, Doylestown. It is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free on the second Sunday of the month with support from Art Bridges Foundation.
