The Pigeon Comes to Naples! A Mo Willems Exhibit

MAKES DEBUT AT THE GOLISANO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF NAPLES

NAPLES, Florida (May 2, 2023) – The Pigeon Comes to Naples! A Mo Willems Exhibit makes its debut on May 27, 2023 at the Children’s Museum of Naples (CMON). Co-organized by Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, the exhibit is inspired by the art and characters of the beloved children’s book author and illustrator, Mo Willems.

Many familiar characters will be featured, including best friend duo Elephant and Piggie, faithful companion Knuffle Bunny, and The Pigeon, the wily city bird best known for his antics in Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Activities will give visitors the opportunity to make art that is inspired by Mo Willems and to learn about the rich social and emotional lives of the author’s characters. The exhibit will also feature prints of illustrations, including sketches and other preliminary materials, by Mo Willems.

In this play-and-learn exhibit, visitors can:

· Have a hilarious conversation in the voices of Elephant Gerald and Piggie at a double-sided phone booth.

· Make Elephant and Piggie dance with old-time animation.

· Put on a wearable bus and take a drive around the exhibit.

· Spin the laundromat washing machine and uncover Knuffle Bunny and other surprises!

· Dress up Naked Mole Rat and send him down the runway for a one-of-a-kind fashion show.

· Stack lightweight blocks to create their own terrible monster or funny friend.

· Launch foam hot dogs at The Pigeon and play the plinko game to give the Duckling a cookie.

· Try out art techniques that Mo uses for his own books.

Locally sponsored by the Tourism Development Council of Collier County and Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, The Pigeon Comes to Naples! A Mo Willems Exhibit will be on display at the Children’s Museum of Naples through September 3, 2023.

The Children’s Museum of Naples is open Thursday through Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $20, $15 for local residents; free for members. For more information, please call 239-514-0084 or visit the museum website: cmon.org.

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About the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples
The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples is a brain-building powerhouse and Southwest Florida’s first museum devoted for children and families to learn through play. With hands-on exhibit galleries, the accessible museum invites visitors of all ages to journey through the swamps of the Everglades, weave through a maze, climb a two-story banyan tree, or experiment with the water play station. Children can become a weather forecaster, a farmer, a chef, a fisherman, an artist, an architect, or a veterinarian; explore the cold of an igloo, the whoosh of the wind, the sound of the sea, and the effects of gravity. Throughout the day special activities encourage our guests to get involved, try something new and be energized. CMON offers a variety of interactive exhibits providing kids with education, play, learning, science, technology, engineering, inventions, space exploration, art, math, storybooks, creation, building, sensory, and child development.

Connect with us:

Facebook: @childrensmuseumofnaples

Instagram: @childrensmuseumofnaples

For more information about Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, or to make a contribution, visit www.cmon.org or call 239-260-1604.

ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PITTSBURGH

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh provides innovative and inclusive museum experiences that inspire kindness, joy, creativity and curiosity for all learners. We forge connections with artists, community partners and neighbors to work on behalf of children, youth and families. Permanent hands-on, interactive exhibit areas include The Studio, Theater, Waterplay, Kindness Gallery, Backyard and MAKESHOP®.

The Carle

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is the international champion for picture books. We collect, preserve, and exhibit original illustrations, encourage guests of all ages to read and create art, and foster an ever-growing audience passionate about children’s literature.

The late Eric and Barbara Carle co-founded the Museum in November 2002. Eric Carle was the renowned author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Since opening, the 43,000-square foot facility has served nearly one million visitors. The Carle houses 9,000 permanent collection illustrations. The Carle has three art galleries, an art studio, a theater, picture book and scholarly libraries, and educational programs for families, scholars, educators, and school children. Bobbie’s Meadow is an outdoor space that combines art and nature. Educational offerings include professional training for educators around the country and master’s degree programs in children’s literature with Simmons University. The Museum offers digital resources, including art activities, book recommendations, collections videos, exhibition videos, as well as workshops for online visitors. Learn more at www.carlemuseum.org and on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram @CarleMuseum.

Mo Willems biography

Mo Willems is an author, illustrator, animator, playwright, and the inaugural Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence, where he collaborates in creating fun new stuff involving classical music, opera, comedy concerts, dance, painting, and digital works with the National Symphony Orchestra, Ben Folds, Yo-Yo Ma, and others.

Willems is best known for his #1 New York Times bestselling picture books, which have been awarded three Caldecott Honors (Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny, Knuffle Bunny Too), two Theodor Geisel Medals, and five Geisel Honors (The Elephant & Piggie series).

Mo’s art has been exhibited around the world, including major solo retrospectives at the High Museum (Atlanta) and the New-York Historical Society (NYC). Over the last decade, Willems has become the most produced playwright of Theater for Young Audiences in America, having written or co-written four musicals based on his books.

He began his career as a writer and animator on PBS’ Sesame Street, where he garnered six Emmy Awards (writing). Other television work includes two series on Cartoon Network: Sheep in the Big City (creator + head writer) and Codename: Kids Next Door (head writer). Mo is creating new TV projects for HBOMax, where his live action comedy special Don’t Let the Pigeon Do Storytime! currently streams.

His papers reside at Yale University’s Beinecke Library.

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Nikki Nin

Marketing/Events Coordinator

Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples

239.260.1700