Elmer the Elephant is a character in a children’s book by David McKee and the subject of an exhibition at the Cooper Gallery in Barnsley. He’s a multi-coloured patchwork elephant whose individuality is celebrated and who reminds us all that we are different and that’s OK.
Barnsley Museums is celebrating Elmer by bringing sculptures to the six principal towns in Barnsley (Goldthorpe, Cudworth, Penistone, Royston, Hoyland and Wombwell), and we are thrilled that we can be involved in this project which will be led by artist Lydia Caprani (who recently painted the art mural at the Railway Embankment site.) There was consultation with the community about what is unique to Goldthorpe at the Summer Fun event at Phoenix Park last week, and high on the list for the 104 children who replies were family, friends, the opportunity to play together. I rather liked the response to the question ‘What would bring more joy to Goldthorpe?’ – chocolate trees! Definitely a good idea!
When we are next at the Railway Embankment on 17th August, we’ll be giving people the chance to decorate their own Elmers in their own ways and these will form bunting to advertise the Dearne Community Arts’ Festival (which will take place on 25th September.) If you’d like a poster to colour or decorate, please let me know.
Hopefully there will be lots of Elmer activities going on at the festival itself, but keep an eye out for elephants in Goldthorpe!
