Catawba County News
Everything Elephant & Piggie!
Published: February 18, 2022
As the Hickory Museum of Art gets ready to open their new exhibit, it’s a good time to celebrate a few of our favorite storybook characters, Elephant & Piggie, created by Mo Willems!
Fun facts about Elephant & Piggie:
- Elephant’s full name is Elephant Gerald, after Ella Fitzgerald, and Piggie doesn’t have a name. Mo Willems explains why, “But the more I thought about Piggie, she is so essentially who she is, she can’t be given a name. A name only complicates her. Elephant is complex in a way. He wears glasses, he has a name, he’s hiding behind stuff because he’s unsure. But Piggie has nothing to hide, so her having a name would dilute that essential Piggieness of her. She’s purely who she is.”
- Elephant Gerald is careful and worries a lot.
- Piggie cannot help smiling and she’s always ready for an adventure!
- Elephant & Piggie are BEST FRIENDS.
In celebration of the exhibit opening, and our love for Mo Willems and his friends, here are some upcoming events for the whole family to enjoy!
Doodling with Mo Willems and Me
Tuesday, February 22 at 6 pm
Online via Zoom
Join us as we complete a Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems episode to celebrate the opening of the Elephant & Piggie in “WE ARE ART!” - A Mo Willems Exhibition at the Hickory Museum of Art. Show off your doodles and share which Mo Willems book is your favorite! To register, please visit tinyurl.com/CatCoDoodle
Elephant and Piggie Visit Your Library
Saturday, February 26
Conover Branch Library, 10 am - 12 noon
Main Library in Newton, 2 - 4 pm
Saturday, March 5
Maiden Branch Library, 10 am - 12 noon
St. Stephens Branch Library, 2 - 4 pm
Saturday, March 12
Southwest Branch Library, 10 am - 12 pm
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library, 2 - 4 pm
Drop in to make a craft and meet popular book characters, Elephant & Piggie! Make sure to bring your camera for photo opportunities with the characters.
Under the Stars – Mo Willems STEAM program
Tuesday, March 22 at 5:30 pm
Southwest Branch Library
Children and families are invited to our Mo Willems starry night of STEAM activities. To register, please visit the library or call 828-466-6818.
Tales in the Garden: Full STEAM Ahead-Transportation
Thursday, March 31 at 5 pm
Main Library in Newton
Join us in the garden as we explore all things transportation! We will share bilingual stories featuring Mo Willems’ Don’t Let Pigeon Drive the Bus, explore a Greenway bus, build wooden school bus book ends, and experiment with cars.
Make sure to visit the Hickory Museum of Art's newest exhibit, "Elephant & Piggie in “WE ARE ART!” - A Mo Willems Exhibition", opening February 19th and running through May 15th!
If you're as excited about this new exhibit as we are, the HMA is seeking individuals and /or businesses to sponsor each book. A placard near the artwork based on the book will highlight your name or business. For more information or to sponsor a book, please visit hickoryart.org/elephant-piggie-book-sponsors or call 828-327-8576 x: 205.