Babar’s Museum of Art

During a media event held Thursday April 8, the Tyler Museum of Art (TMA) announced plans for a summer exhibition that will lead visitors through a uniquely illustrated world that places the world famous, green-suited Babar the Elephant into classical works of art. The much-loved character will be the leading figure in Babar’s Museum of Art, a collection of original watercolors and studies by Laurent de Brunhoff. The works will be on view at the TMA June 6 through August 22. Organizations from around the community are partnering with the TMA by hosting events and activities that incorporate characters and themes from Babar’s Museum of Art.

The exhibition contains more than 70 original works by Laurent de Brunhoff, author and illustrator of the children’s book Babar’s Museum of Art. “The book tells the story of how Babar the Elephant and his wife Celeste transform an old train station into an art museum,” says Kimberley Bush Tomio, Director of the TMA. “In the book, de Brunhoff pays tribute to artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Paul Cezanne, and Picasso by adorning the museum’s walls with classic works of art with a clever twist – the characters depicted in those works of art are all elephants.” 2003. Watercolor, graphite and ink on paper. 8 3/4 x 7 1/4 in. Courtesy of Mary Ryan Gallery, NYC 2003. Watercolor, graphite and ink on paper. 8 3/4 x 7 1/4 in. Courtesy of Mary Ryan Gallery, NYC

The story of Babar was originated by French author and illustrator, Jean de Brunhoff, who created the tales of the famous elephant for his own children. When his father passed away in 1937, Laurent de Brunhoff took over the Babar series of books first begun by his father. Jean and Laurent trained as fine artists, and visitors to the TMA will enjoy both the whimsical nature of the exhibition in addition to the masterful execution by de Brunhoff.

“We are thrilled to bring this exhibition to Tyler, because we believe that it will be an exciting art opportunity for everyone. Fine art enthusiasts will admire the technique so beautifully rendered by de Brunhoff in watercolor. Children will thrill to see Babar and his friends acting as figures from the world of fine art, and adults will enjoy the cleverness of de Brunhoff’s stories,” says Ms. Tomio. “This truly is a one-of-a-kind exhibition, organized by Mary Ryan Gallery, New York City, New York.”

Babar's Museum of Art is organized by Mary Ryan Gallery, NYC. Exhibition is supported in part by Kay Arms and the Julietta Jarvis Foundation, Inc. Collectors' Circle sponsors are Mrs. Jack King Sr., Mr. and Mrs. James Perkins, and Ms. Myrtis D. Smith. Corporate Member Sponsor is Southside Bank. Media sponsors are BSCENE Magazine, CBS 19-KYTX and Piney Woods Live. (Sponsors at time of press release.) The Tyler Museum of Art is supported by its members, Tyler Junior College and the City of Tyler.

Community Partnerships

A summer filled with entertaining and educational activities has been organized by the TMA and partner organizations in Tyler and beyond. The events will feature different aspects of Babar’s Museum of Art and will allow participants to experience elements of the fabled elephant at several different locations. “In an effort to bring Babar to more people across the region, the TMA has partnered with other community organizations who have all graciously incorporated Babar into their programming. We hope this will be an opportunity to showcase the various educational and arts offerings that are available throughout Tyler and East Texas, as well as introduce more people to Babar.”

Community partners are All Saints Episcopal School French Club; Bernard Restaurant; The Caldwell Zoo; Discovery Science Place; The Lindale Library; Cameron – J. Jarvis Troup Municipal Library; Tyler Civic Theatre; Tyler Public Library; Tyler Youth Orchestra; Yoga Life by Sandy Shepard; and Young Audiences of Northeast Texas.

Schedule of Events & Activities:

April 2010

Now through May 20 The Tyler Civic Theatre (TCT) will perform its interactive puppet show featuring the story of Babar’s Museum of Art at local elementary schools, including Tyler ISD and other local schools. These performances are presented by Young Audiences of Northeast Texas. TCT will perform this original show during several of the other organizations’ activities, which is reflected in the following schedule.

April 16, 10:00 a.m. Enjoy “Babar Story Time” at the Lindale Library. Hear the story of Babar the Elephant at the Lindale Library.

April 21, 10:30 a.m. Tyler Civic Theatre’s Babar’s Museum of Art puppet show performance at the Cameron-J.Jarvis Troup Municipal Library. Enjoy a puppet show performance by the Tyler Civic presented by Young Audiences of Northeast Texas.

May 2010

May 1, 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. “Babar L’Éléphant Workshops” by All Saints French Club at the TMA. Participants will enjoy French language workshops led by the All Saints Episcopal School French Club. Four workstations will offer focus on French words and phrases, French songs and the story of Babar in French. For ages 4 through 8; call 903.595.1001 for reservations.

May 8, 2:00−4:00 p.m. Family Day with the Caldwell Zoo at TMA. Enjoy free art activities provided by the TMA, and learn interesting elephant facts from The Caldwell Zoo.

May 21, 10:00 a.m. Enjoy “Babar Story Time” at the Lindale Library. Hear the story of Babar the Elephant at the Lindale Library.

May 22, 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. Experience the excitement of the Tyler Civic Theatre’s interactive puppet show on the lovely TCT Terrace, presented by Young Audiences of Northeast Texas.

May 23, 2:00 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy “Music for the Elephants” performed by the Tyler Youth Orchestra for the elephants of The Caldwell Zoo. Gather at the African Outlook and watch as the elephants enjoy classic songs like “Baby Elephant Walk” and “L’Histoire de Babar.”

June 2010

June 6, 1:00−5:00 p.m. Grand opening of Babar’s Museum of Art with activities and performances by community partners. Free admission for everyone on opening day.

June 11, 10:00 a.m. “Babar Story Time” at the Lindale Library. TMA will lead a special art activity during this event. Participants can listen to tall tales of Babar’s adventures and then create works of art with help from a member of the TMA’s education staff.

June 12, 2:00−4:00 p.m. Family Day with the Caldwell Zoo at TMA. Enjoy free art activities provided by the TMA, and learn interesting elephant facts from The Caldwell Zoo.

June 14–17, 10:30 a.m. “Fables & Films” featuring Babar the Elephant at the Tyler Public Library.

June 14–18 & June 21–25 TMA and the Caldwell Zoo’s Summer Art Camp, featuring Babar. Campers will discover a wide range of exciting facts about wildlife, nature and fine arts. Call 903.593.0120, ext. 228 or 229 for more information.

June 19, 2:00−4:00 p.m. Babar Family Yoga Class with Sandy Shepard at the TMA. Parents and children will enjoy these classes which focus on gentle stretching, strength, balance, and stress reduction. Classes are held in the TMA Classroom. Space is limited; please call 903.595.1001 to reserve your place.

June 26, 12:00−2:00 p.m. French Cooking with Chef Bernard. Children and their families will learn to prepare simple French dishes under the direction of master chef Bernard Gautier, of Bernard Restaurant in Tyler. Space is limited; please call 903.595.1001 to reserve your place.

July 2010

July 7, 2:30−3:00 p.m. The Cameron-J.Jarvis Troup Municipal Library presents Summer Reading with Babar.

July 10, 2:00−4:00 p.m. Family Day with the Tyler Civic Theatre at the TMA. Enjoy free art activities and watch the Tyler Civic Theatre Troupe perform its original interactive puppet show.

July 12-16 & 19-23 Tyler Museum of Art Summer Art Camp. Campers will enjoy a unique summer camp set inside a fine arts institution and organized by certified arts instructors and TMA education staff. Art campers will experience daily tours of the gallery, featuring Babar's Museum of Art, daily art projects, and exciting lessons in art history. Space is limited; please call 903.595.1001 to reserve your place.

July 24, 2:00−4:00 p.m. Babar Family Yoga Class with Sandy Shepard at the TMA. Parents and children will enjoy these classes which focus on gentle stretching, strength, balance, and stress reduction. Classes are held in the TMA Classroom. Space is limited; please call 903.595.1001 to reserve your place.

August 2010

August 14, 2:00−4:00 p.m. Family Day with the Tyler Civic Theatre at the TMA. Enjoy free art activities and watch the Tyler Civic Theatre Troupe perform its original interactive puppet show.

For event information, please call the Tyler Museum of Art at 903.595.1001 or the host organization. Some events may include a charge for admission. Admission to Babar’s Museum of Art is free for TMA members; $7 for adults; $5 for students and seniors; and children age twelve and under are free.

The Tyler Museum of Art, accredited by the American Association of Museums, is located at 1300 S. Mahon Ave., adjacent to the Tyler Junior College campus off East Fifth Street. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. (The Museum is closed Mondays and major holidays.) Lunch is available in the Museum Café from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and the TMA Gift Shop is open during exhibition hours. For more information, call (903) 595-1001 or visit www.tylermuseum.org.