Additional China-inspired activities include worksheets, games, puzzles and trails.
Between Saturday, 19 July and Sunday, 31 August families can join clay modelling sessions to create animals from the Chinese zodiac, folktale characters or mini Terracotta Warriors. They will also be able to paint ‘hero’ or ‘villain’ ceramic opera masks with bold designs and try the centuries-old Sgraffito technique to decorate clay tablets with contrasting colours and oriental motifs.
Youngsters can paint paper-plates with Chinese designs and in the children’s gallery they will be able to have fun with Chinese games, puzzles and storybooks. Also a summer Botanical Trail leading through the Coalport China Museum galleries will help visitors of all ages learn more about the symbolism of flowers in Chinese art and culture, as well as discover the importance of flowers on Coalport China to the Victorians.
The various ceramic workshops will take place from 11am - 1pm and 2 - 4pm while activities in the children’s gallery are from 10am to 5pm. Activities will vary from day-to-day and some carry an extra charge; some finished items can be taken away on the day and others sent home after firing.
A Passport to all ten of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums, valid for twelve months and multiple return visits, costs £14.95 per adult, £12.95 for the 60 plus, £9.95 for students and children and £48 for a family of two adults and three children aged up to 18 years in full time education; under 5s free. Individual museum entry tickets are also available.
The museums are open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm. For further information, contact the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on Tel: 01952 884 391 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk. The Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6).
