By Harriet Curnow, Programme Manager.
On 30 September the V&A hosted Big Draw, Big Make. It was a day full of amazing drawing activities for all ages. For younger audiences the V&A were delighted to welcome back the Cbeebies star Mister Maker. He performed to hundreds of excited children and adults, showing them how to get drawing and making. I asked him some questions about his experience at the V&A.
HC: What do you like to look at in the V&A? What’s your favourite object?
MM: There's always so much to see in the museum. Every time I visit, I find a part of the museum I haven't explored before! I really enjoyed looking at the Thomas Heatherwick exhibition recently - in particular the model of the Olympic Cauldron.
HC: Why do you like visiting museums?
MM: Visiting a museum like the V&A is a great thing to do with friends and family. It doesn't matter how old you are, there's always something in a museum to interest and inspire you. Our Mini Makers explored the V&A in search of inspiration for shapes and colours to use in their crown making!
HC: Did you have fun at the Big Draw, Big Make?
MM: I had so much fun! Lots of singing, dancing and making. So many Mini Makers came to our shows, it was amazing. I also managed to have a look at some of the other attractions on the big day....and I got to meet Gerald Scarfe - a real honour!
HC: What do you think of the crowns made by children on Sunday?
MM: They were fantastic! We saw so many different designs throughout the day. It was great that the Mini Makers were using the same crown-making technique, but putting their own spin on it and using new ideas to shape and decorate their creations.
HC: Why do you like making?
MM: I love being creative and having fun. It's so exciting when you find an idea to turn some ordinary materials into something extraordinary!
In addition to the Meet Mister Maker event on Sunday, which was attended by over 700 people, Mister Maker also helped us design an activity for The Imagination Station. 1752 people took part in this activity and made colourful crowns with shapes inspired by objects around the museum. It was an activity enjoyed by everyone!
Mister Maker first performed at the V&A in October half-term 2011. He also worked with the Family team on an Imagination Station activity to create googly-eyed headdresses. This holiday programme was inspired by the innovative exhibition the Power of Making. It was a very popular activity that ran for nine days and due to its popularity was repeated on subsequent weekends. Since the activity was created, 3524 people have taken part.
Coming up on the Family programme is October half-term, which runs from Saturday 27 October to Sunday 4 November. During this busy week families can take part in activities inspired by the museum’s Hollywood Costume exhibition.
Please visit the What’s On calendar for daily listings and more information.
