The exhibition ‘Animal. Museum Creatures’ officially opens on 3 July! To mark the occasion, we are particularly proud to showcase the Cap sur nos trésors project, a wonderful initiative carried out with two local schools as part of the PECA (Cultural and Artistic Education Programme) and led by the Théâtre du Sursaut.
An outdoor encounter to open people’s eyes.
The starting point for this adventure took place outside the Museum, during a special on-site session. One of our museum guides, Louise, went to meet pupils from Les Lys and the Athénée Royal schools in Houffalize to introduce them to a listed treasure in their town: the eagle-shaped lectern in St Catherine’s Church. By sharing the secrets of this artwork, our museum guide sparked the children’s curiosity and introduced the theme of the bird, which would guide the rest of the project.
From observation to performance: a team effort with the teachers
Inspired by this visit, the pupils then explored the bird in all its forms through various artistic activities. This long-term project could not have been realised without the commitment and enthusiasm of the teachers.
Working alongside the team from the Théâtre du Sursaut and the artists from Les Z’Ateliers, the classes observed, drew in charcoal and modelled clay before designing their own masks. This creative work was first showcased on Friday 3 April: wearing their masks, the children brought their birds to life during a collective and poetic theatrical performance on the forecourt in front of the town’s church.
The final stage: Integration into the Museum and guided tours in September
However, the theatrical performance was not the final curtain call for this adventure. The project is actually drawing to a close right now at the Museum!
From this Friday, the masks created by the children will be on display in our exhibition ‘Animal. Museum Beasts’. The fruits of their imagination are now on show for all summer visitors to see, and will remain so until 9 May 2027.
The final stage of this wonderful project will take place in September, at the start of the new school year. We will have the immense pleasure of welcoming the young artists and their teachers to the Museum for a guided tour, where they will be able to admire their own creations.
Well done to the children for their creativity, a huge thank you to the teachers for their invaluable commitment, and thank you to the Théâtre du Sursaut, Z’Ateliers and Julie Cao-Van from PECA for this wonderful school-culture partnership!
