With the imminent arrival of Dippy, the world’s most famous Diplodocus, to Dorset County Museum, Dorchester, the Jurassic Coast Trust is delighted to announce the first of our series of FREE Dippy Art Days, taking place this Saturday 3 February at Cineworld Weymouth.
The Trust have worked with Dorset County Museum and London’s Natural History Museum to bring the huge fossil cast to the Jurassic Coast, and will be curating an exciting range of activities across the length of England’s natural World Heritage Site between February and May. Full details of the extensive activities planned are available at our Dippy page.
Families are needed this Saturday in Weymouth to help renowned local artist Darrell Wakelam build a dinosaur landscape. Darrell will be at Cineworld Weymouth between 10am and 4pm, and will need lots of helpers of all ages to bring his artwork to life. The Dippy Art Day is free, suitable for all ages and no booking is required, just turn up on the day and let your Jurassic imagination run wild!
Darrell and his helpers’ creations will then tour the Jurassic Coast in a series of free Interactive Art Days as part of Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure. The Dippy Art Days are being run to celebrate the residency of the Natural History Museum’s famous dinosaur cast at Dorset County Museum between 10 February and 8 May. Darrell will travel to Exmouth, Taunton, Salisbury and several other locations throughout the south-west between February and May, inspiring people in each area with their local nature, and creating a unique artistic piece each time. The Dippy Art Days are run by the Jurassic Coast Trust with support from Dorset County Council.
Since moving to the Jurassic Coast from the Midlands in 2005, Darrell has run countless art workshops for children and families, often relating to the unique geology and natural history of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Darrell’s work is made using simple techniques and everyday materials, mainly scrap cardboard and paper, and relies on active participation from children of all ages and abilities. As well as leading the series of Dippy Art Days, some of Darrell’s favourite pieces will be on display adjacent to the famous dinosaur at Dorset County Museum, Dorchester, as part of the Naturally Curious art exhibition.
Here’s where you can enjoy a FREE Dippy Art Day with Darrell over the coming months:
Saturday 3 February – Weymouth Cineworld
Saturday 10 February – Exeter Scrapstore
Friday 16 February – Milford Hall , Yeovil
Saturday 17 February – Lyme Regis Museum
Saturday 24 February – Walford Mill, Wimborne
Saturday 3 March – Littleham Primary School, Exmouth with Clinton Devon Estates
Saturday 10 March – St Mary’s School, Poole
Saturday 24 March – Winterbourne Earls Primary School, Salisbury
Tuesday 27 March – Trull Church Community Centre, Taunton
Saturday 21 April – St Katharine’s Primary School, Bournemouth
Saturday 12 May – Sturminster Newton Youth Club
Saturday 26 May – Mill Water Special School, East Budleigh with Clinton Devon Estates
