Chihuly for Children

Gardens of Glass: Chihuly at Kew
Supported by GlaxoSmithKline
28 May 2005 - 15 January 2006

An associated programme of fun educational activities aimed at children will take place at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew this summer as part of the Gardens of Glass: Chihuly at Kew exhibition.

Climbers and Creepers

During the school summer holidays, 23 July to 6 September, children will be able to take part in a FREE programme of events inspired by Gardens of Glass: Chihuly at Kew in the Climbers and Creepers play zone. Every morning there will be the opportunity to draw a colourful picture to take home or display in Climbers and Creepers using some of our 'special' pencils and crayons. In the afternoons get creative and make a huge colourful window, paint a giant squirt and splatter picture on canvas or try out marbling to make beautiful paper and colourful globes. On Wednesday afternoons groups will work as a team to create an art installation - it may be a giant balloon sculpture, or a huge mobile to suspend at Kew inspired by Chihuly's Chandelier sculptures, or you could even come and join us in a ribbon dance workshop.

Morning sessions will be 11.30 - 12.30. Afternoon sessions (except Wednesdays) start at 14.00, 14.30 and 15.00 and last 20 minutes. Wednesday afternoon sessions start at 14.00 and 15.00 and last 30 minutes.

Sessions are ticketed with a maximum of 20 children able to take part in any one session (max. 30 on Wednesday afternoon sessions). Tickets are issued by staff in Climbers and Creepers on a first come first served basis for that day's activities only.

All activities are FREE and on some days you will be welcome to take what you have made home.

Activities are intended for children aged 3-9yrs - some materials used are not suitable for those under 3 years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times whilst in Climbers and Creepers.

Colour and light in nature show

This family science show will explore light and colour and address questions such as what is light? How fast does it travel? What makes things different colours? Be illuminated on how nature makes, changes and uses light with science showman Ian B Dunne.

The show will take place on the 20 and 27 August in the Tropix zone of the Princess of Wales conservatory and is on a first come, first served basis.

Volunteers Explainers

Between 10.30 and 13.30 on selected dates through out the summer there will be volunteer explainers in the Temperate House able to answer your questions on colour in plants and how glass is made.

'Lets Explore Chihuly' Leaflet

Pick up a 'Let's Explore Chihuly' leaflet about Gardens of Glass at Climbers and Creepers or from the Friends Desk at Victoria Gate and take your family on their own journey around the garden to explore both the Chihuly sculptures and the plants. (Aimed at children aged 4-10.)

Further information:
For further information and images please contact Lauren Bird or Oliver Basciano in the Kew Gardens Press Office, Telephone 020 8332 5607, email pr@kew.org .

Notes to Editors:

Gardens of Glass: Chihuly at Kew

Gardens of Glass: Chihuly at Kew , supported by GlaxoSmithKline, is a major exhibition of large-scale, vividly-coloured, organically-shaped glass installations by renowned American artist, Dale Chihuly. This spectacular sequence of uniquely-shaped and vibrantly-coloured glass sculptures displayed in Kew's historic glasshouses and unique garden landscape is the first exhibition of its kind in to be held in Europe. The exhibition has been specifically designed to respond to the plants, trees, historic landscape, architecture and sweeping vistas of Kew. The exhibition is on from 28 May 2005 until January 2006, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the works throughout the changing seasons. www.kew.org/chihuly.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Kew Gardens is a major international visitor attraction and its 132 hectares of landscaped gardens attract over one million visitors per year. Kew was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and represents over 250 years of historical landscape. RBG, Kew is a world famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding living collection of plants and world-class herbarium as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. www.kew.org.

Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly was born in Tacoma , Washington in 1941. He trained with Harvey Littleton, the father of American studio glass, was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the illustrious Venini factory in Venice, established the glass course a the famous Rhode Island School of Design and became the founding artist of Pilchuck Glass School, the pre-eminent school of glass. He leads the avant garde in the development of glassblowing as a studio art. Dale Chihuly has travelled widely and exhibited internationally. His work is held in over 200 museums throughout the world. www.chihuly.com.

GlaxoSmithKline

Gardens of Glass: Chihuly at Kew is supported by GlaxoSmithKline as part of the company's community support programme. With global headquarters close to Kew in Brentford, the company has a continuing programme of charitable activities in the UK , funding a variety of projects in the following areas: healthcare, scientific education, medical research, the arts and the environment. The company is a longstanding supporter of Kew , having sponsored a number of projects at the Gardens, the most recent of which was the Go Wild festival in 2003. www.gsk.com/community.