What's On
Record crowds of families head to Gruffalo exhibition at Lowry
The family friendly exhibition is on now and is free to attend
As the school summer break is upon us, record-breaking crowds of families have been heading to the new Gruffalo exhibition at the Lowry.
Hundreds of visitors have turned up to see the free family exhibition featuring a whole host of the children’s book favourites at The Lowry in Salford.
The exhibition celebrates the well-loved books written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, featuring their hit characters including the Gruffalo, Zog, Room on the Broom and Stick Man.
Bosses at the Lowry have said that over 5,000 visitors came to see Julia and Axel: Thirty Years of Favourite Stories during its opening weekend, breaking the record for all previous gallery attendances at the arts venue.
With the school holidays upon us and with all the wet weather Greater Manchester has had, many more are expected to descend upon the magical children’s fiction exhibition at Salford Quays this weekend.
As well as the magical exhibits celebrating the favourite children’s book characters, visitors are given an insight into how Julia and Axel first created them.
There are also themed reading rooms, a dress up section and interactive exhibits for children to let their imaginations run wild as they get lost in a world of play.
The exhibition has been curated by The Lowry in collaboration with publishers Alison Green Books, Scholastic Children’s Books and Macmillan Children’s Books.
Illustrator Axel Scheffler attended the launch of the exhibition on Saturday to take a look around before spending some time signing books for fans.
Michael Simpson, Director of Visual Arts at The Lowry, says: “We are absolutely thrilled with the record-breaking response to the exhibition on opening weekend.
“It was brilliant to see so many families coming through our doors to enjoy the wonderful work of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, and we can’t wait to welcome thousands more over the coming weeks and months.
“It was made extra-special as Axel joined us for the opening day, thrilling children as he signed their favourite books.”
Julia Donaldson says: “I am delighted that we are working in partnership with The Lowry on this exhibition and that they are celebrating 30 years of Axel and me working together.
“It is exciting to be able to share some ‘behind the scenes’ secrets with our young readers and to show what happens before a finished book is in their hands.
“I hope that it will help them to feel creative and to start writing and illustrating their own stories, so that we have new picture-book creators in the future.”
Axel Scheffler says: “I find it hard to believe that it is 30 years since Julia Donaldson and I did our first picture book together with A Squash and a Squeeze.
“So much has happened since then and many children have now enjoyed our stories over the years. I am very pleased that The Lowry is hosting this special celebratory exhibition and that it will give families the chance to discover more about my illustrations and Julia’s writing.”
Julia and Axel – Thirty Years of Favourite Stories runs at The Lowry, Salford from Saturday 22nd July 2023 to Monday January 1st 2024.
For more information visit The Lowry website by clicking HERE.