A HUGELY collaborative project has just launched at Tullie House with hopes to inspire visitors around the issue of climate change. 

As part of the launch, which began on June 25, international poet and street artist, Angry Dan, tagged a mural which will be featured as a key piece in the new exhibition, called Once Upon A Planet.

Once Upon A Planet will use Tullie House's Designated natural science collection in new ways to inform the public about the on-going climate crisis. 

READ MORE: Poet and street artist creates climate change mural for display at Tullie House

The hopeful tagline "human change, not climate change" hints at the exhibition’s focus on the positive change we can still affect.

News and Star: Young Advisors collaborative painting with artist Alison Critchlow Credit: Rachel OwenYoung Advisors collaborative painting with artist Alison Critchlow Credit: Rachel Owen

The exhibition is part of a larger two-year project, also called Once Upon A Planet, made possible by the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund administered by Museums Association.

Development of the project has been a collaborative effort with the museum enlisting the help of a team of Young Advisors, as well as other organisations like Sustainable Carlisle, Blank Wall Assassins, Natural England, Heathlands Cumbria and Genetic Moo.
Anna Smalley, head of collections and engagement at Tullie House, said:

"We are incredibly proud of this exhibition and the Once Upon A Planet project. It uses our amazing collections in innovative, engaging and creative ways and we think our visitors are going to come away feeling inspired and motivated to make positive changes for our planet.”

Accompanying the exhibition is a jam-packed events schedule including workshops, film screenings and eco-crafts all with a focus on climate change, extinction and sustainability. 

With the help of Sustainable Carlisle, the exhibition will introduce visitors to the idea of 'active citizenship' and suggest actions they can take to live more sustainably.

News and Star: CHANGE: Biodiversity curator, Wednesday Batchelor, with Golden Eagle specimen. Credit: Stuart WalkerCHANGE: Biodiversity curator, Wednesday Batchelor, with Golden Eagle specimen. Credit: Stuart Walker

Working with Blank Wall Assassins, Tullie commissioned street artist and limerick writer, Angry Dan, to create a temporary mural for the exhibition. Dan's work already appears in Carlisle, with a mural as part of the Street Art Trail on the Struts fancy dress shop.

Ben Heslop, director of Blank Wall Assassins said: “The theme of this exhibition is so vital for people to engage with. Being able to work with Tullie to bring such a bold piece of artwork to the space is a really great opportunity for Blank Wall Assassins. Dan has perfectly captured a key message both visually and with his words.”

READ MORE: Carlisle leaders hope 10,000 homes project is 'exemplar of good design'