News from the MUSEUM


Turner Award winner’s retrospective exhibition


Maidstone Museum will feature the work of internationally acclaimed Maidstone artist Mike Chaplin at a new exhibition starting on 9 November. Mike is a painter, etcher, writer, teacher and television personality. In March 2011, he was awarded the Prestigious Turner Watercolour Award given annually during the Royal Watercolour Society Spring Exhibition.


Mike’s work, both in painting and printmaking, has made him one of Britain’s most well known painters, and he is represented in many public and private collections worldwide, including those of HM The Queen, HM The Queen Mother, ex-King Constantine of the Hellenes, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, The Ashmolean Museum Oxford, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, and the Daily Express (mural for the Boardroom).


He was resident art expert on the hit Channel 4 programme Watercolour Challenge with Hannah Gordon.


In 2007 Mike was given the enormous privilege of using J M W Turner's pigments to be ground by him into watercolour. The paint was subsequently used by him for filming Turner's watercolour techniques for a permanent exhibition at Tate Britain in London.


The Maidstone exhibition features a selection of the museum’s watercolours, chosen by Mike Chaplin which will hang alongside his work.


Mike Chaplin Retrospective should not be missed and will be on display until 3 January. For information visit www.mikechaplin.com Worn to be Wild


This vibrant exhibition of fashion through the ages and inspired by the wildlife of Britain runs until 2 November.


'Worn to be Wild' is a touring exhibition of fascinating theatrical costumes, headdresses and


accessories designed and created by designer Kate Plumtree. The collection is inspired by British birds and mammals combined with the evolution of period dress from medieval times to the present. From a medieval deer to contemporary hedgehog, each


Halloween Egyptian Sleepover


Kids love sleepovers and Maidstone Museum is going to have one of the best ever! So if you have ever wondered if Ta-kesh the mummy comes to life when the lights go out or the dinosaurs roar at sunrise you can find out on the spookiest night of the year. The museum’s Halloween sleepover for children will have lots of Egyptian-themed spooky fun including crafts, costumes and creepy stories. Evening snacks and breakfast included.


Treasures from Hirado


Marking the 400th anniversary of the opening of trade and cultural ties between Britain and Japan, this exhibition features


artefacts never before seen outside of Japan.


The free exhibition, which runs until 2 November, focuses on William


Adams, from Gillingham, Kent, who was the first Englishman to reach Japan. Adams became a


confidant of Japan's ruler and was buried in Hirado.


Thursday 31 October, booking essential, £30 per person. All children must be accompanied by an adult (maximum of three children per adult, minimum age 8).


Children’s Craft Activities


Sessions at 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 13.30 & 14.30 Book in person on the day, maximum 15 children per session. Suitable for age 4+. £4.50 per child.


28 October – Batty Bat Wings Inspired by our natural history collection, we’ll be learning about different spooky animals, then you’ll be making your very own set of batty bat wings to wear.


29 October – Paper Pumpkins Find out why pumpkins are so popular at Halloween, and then make your own paper pumpkin to get your house ready for the spooky night.


30 October – Marvellous Mummies Take a trip back to Ancient Egypt and learn about life and death in the time of the pharaohs. You’ll also mummify your own orange!


31 October – Witches and Wizards Hats


Find out where the tradition of witches and wizards comes from, and then make a hat to help you cast your own spells.


1 November – Fabulous Fireworks We’ll be going back in time and finding out about Guy Fawkes, then creating your own fireworks.


More information on all upcoming exhibitions and events can be found at www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk Bookings via 01622 602838.


costume represents a different species and a specific era of fashion. Discover fashion through the ages and try on some fabulous outfits in the dressing up area. Admission £3 per person, children under 16 free. Special offer admission 2 for £5.


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