'Magical Art Of Eric Carle' Featured In New Bucks County Exhibit

DOYLESTOWN, PA —An exhibition celebrating the illustrations of beloved children's author Eric Carle, known for his fun artistic depictions of animals and insects opens at the Michener Art Museum on Valentine's Day for a three month show.

"Small Living Things: The Magical Art of Eric Carle" highlights the small creatures from Carle’s collection with original artwork from The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Quiet Cricket, The Very Busy Spider, The Very Clumsy Click Beetle, The Grouchy Ladybug, and more, as well as larger animals from his classic Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? collaboration with Bill Martin Jr.

When Eric Carle was a boy, his father took him on walks in nature, peeling back the bark of a tree to show him the tiny creatures who lived underneath. “I think in my books, I honor my father by writing about small living things,” Carle said.

Carle started his career in advertising and as a graphic designer for The New York Times. He didn’t start illustrating and writing books for children until he was almost 40. His most famous work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has sold over 55 million copies and has been translated into over 80 languages. Carle died in 2021 at the age of 91, after celebrating 50 years of The Very Hungry Caterpillar in 2019.

Organized by The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Mass., Small Living Things also includes examples of process art and sketches, poster designs, and objects representative of Carle’s influence in contemporary culture. The 1996 Eric Carle-inspired McDonald’s Happy Meal toy series is displayed, along with The Very Hungry Caterpillar in bronze by sculptor Nancy Schön, creator of the Make Way for Ducklings sculpture in the Boston Public Garden.

“We are so pleased to share the art of Eric Carle with the Michener Art Museum community,” said Jennifer Schantz, executive director of The Carle. “Families have been enjoying Carle’s iconic images in their homes for decades, but nothing beats experiencing his original artwork directly as an inspiration for picture book art lovers of all ages.”

Michener Art Museum, with a commitment to nurturing a lifelong involvement in the arts, presents programming concurrent with Small Living Things for visitors of all ages. Gallery-based story times, music programs, and art-making experiences all connect visual and literary arts. All About Animals events bring live lizards, birds, snakes, and more to the Museum. Family-friendly tours are also available throughout the run of the exhibition, including a stroller tour series led by Executive Director and CEO Anne Corso.

“We’re bringing the animal world of Eric Carle to life,” said Casey Repasy, Director of Learning and Engagement. “It’s about giving families hands-on, curiosity-driven experiences.”

Admission for visitors ages 5 and under is free at Michener Art Museum. A free family activity guide for Small Living Things is available at the Visitor’s Services desk, with a prize for every completed submission. The Museum Shop will feature a curated selection of all things Eric Carle for the run of the exhibition.

“The Magical Art of Eric Carle comes at a perfect time,” Corso said. “The Michener is launching the first year of its strategic plan — a plan that prioritizes the museum’s role as a community hub and using art to foster lifelong learning. This exhibition will reach beyond the Museum’s walls through partnerships with area institutions and businesses.”

In collaboration with the Bucks County Free Library, all seven branches in Bensalem, Doylestown, Langhorne, Levittown, Perkasie, Quakertown, and Yardley are part of more Eric Carle-themed fun, including scavenger hunts and story times.

A town-wide scavenger hunt, the Caterpillar Crawl, has punch cards available for shoppers at Doylestown businesses. The windows of participating businesses will display different foods the hungry caterpillar enjoys, from apples and pears to chocolate cake. Shoppers who turn in a completed punch card at the Michener Art Museum Visitor’s Services desk will be rewarded with one free guest pass.

Small Living Things: The Magical Art of Eric Carle is presented through the generosity of the Gorsky Family, with major support from Tim Griffith and Anne Corso, and additional support from Leff Family Foundation and Lee and Carole Schram.

"Small Things" is on view from Feb. 14 to May 24.

Related Programming

Opening Weekend

• Family-friendly Member Preview on Friday, February 13 from 1–4 p.m. Free to Museum members
• Public Opening Celebration on Saturday, February 14 from 1–4 p.m. Free to Museum members; Included with general admission

For Kids

• Music & Movement with Mini Music Makers, inspired by Small Living Things: The Magical Art of Eric Carle on Thursday, February 19, March 19, April 23 and May 21 from 10–10:45 a.m. The cost per session: Adult +1 child, $25; additional adult or child, $5.
• Small Living Things: The Magical Art of Eric Carle Family Gallery Tour with Ms. Andrea on Saturday, February 21 at 10:30 a.m. Adult +1 Child, $20; Additional Adult or Child, $5
• All About Animals: Birds of Prey with Hawk Mountain on Sunday, February 22 from 1–2 p.m. Adult +1 Child, $20; Additional Adult or Child, $5
• Stroller Tours with Executive Director Anne Corso of Small Living Things: The Magical Art of Eric Carle on Thursday, February, March 27, and April 24 from 10:15 to 10:45 p.m. Admission: Adult +1 Child under age 4, $27
• Eric Carle Story Time with the Bucks County Free Library on Friday, February 27, March 27, April 24 and May 22 from 10:30–11 a.m. Free with registration
• Playful Paper Insects, inspired by the art of Eric Carle on Sunday, March 8 at 1 or 2 p.m. Free with registration.
• All About Animals: Snakes, Lizards, and Other Critters with NJ Snake Man on Sunday, March 22 from 1–2 p.m. Adult +1 Child, $20; Additional Adult or Child, $5.
• All Ages Workshop: Giant Food Inspired by Eric Carle on Sunday, March 29 from 1–3 p.m. Adults, $35; Children, $25

For Adults

• Exploring the Galleries with Executive Director Anne Corso, featuring Small Living Things: The Magical Art of Eric Carle on March 5 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, Aprl 2 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The cost i $15 Member, $27 Non-Member
• Beyond Words Book Club: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt on Thursday, March 19 from 1–2:30 pm or Thursday, April 16 from 6:30 to 8 pm. The cost is $10 Member, $22 Non-Member
• Planting a Garden for Small Living Things on Wednesday, April 8 from 1–2 p.m. The cost is $10 Member, $22 Non-Member
• Adult Workshop: Painted Paper Still Life Inspired by Eric Carle on Sunday, April 26 from 12–4 p.m. The cost is $60 Member, $80 Non-Member

Free Second Sundays

Free admission on the following Second Sundays includes access to Small Living Things: The Magical Art of Eric Carle. Admission is free at Michener Art Museum on the second Sunday of the month with support from Art Bridges Foundation. Second Sundays will be held on Sunday, March 8, Sunday, April 12 and Sunday, May 10 from 12 to 5 p.m.

Exhibition Sponsorship

Small Living Things: The Magical Art of Eric Carle is organized by the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts. The exhibition presentation at Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania is coordinated by Joshua Lessard, Director of Exhibitions. Small Living Things: The Magical Art of Eric Carle is presented through the generosity of the Gorsky Family, with major support from Tim Griffith and Anne Corso, and additional support from Leff Family Foundation and Lee and Carole Schram.

The Michener Art Museum is located at 138 S. Pine Street, Doylestown PA 18901. Hours: Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, 12–5 p.m. Admission is free on the second Sunday of the month with support from Art Bridges Foundation.