PETAH TIKVA.- ArtBus, a commission to UK artist Charles Avery, launches with first journey of children to award-winning museum in an unique effort to make art and artistic experiences accessible for all.

Petach Tikva Museum of Art in Israel initiated ArtBus as a permanent feature to create shared educational community experiences for children and parents, first locally, then to be rolled out across the country.

Today the first ArtBus, designed by renowned UK artist Charles Avery (Tate, Centre Pompidou, Venice Biennale) commences its service to collect children and parents for an unexpected visit to the museum. Conceived by the award-winning Petach Tikva Museum in Israel and supported by Outset UK, ArtBus is the institution’s unique effort to combat an alarming global phenomenon: the absence of quality time spent by parents with their children.

Artist Charles Avery was commissioned by the museum to create a special Art Bus that serves as a mobile work of art for transporting families to the museum. The vehicle’s unique design draws on Avery's book Onomatopoeia, and includes a bold, abstract geometric pattern of aquamarine blue dots set against a white background, which envelop and cover the entire bus like a glittering mirror in motion.

The pattern is a direct extension of Avery's drawings and objects, which provide viewers with clues to a mythical netherworld, a world of dreams, intuition, and imagination, drawn from everyday life as well as from the artist’s personal biography, which is then combined with both art historical and mythological references. Avery creates a story that continues his previous works – starting from a fictional island – and continues it with the kids and families bus, culminating the journey at the Petach Tikva Museum of Art.

Once arrived at the museum, activities will comprise of adventure routes in the exhibitions, inventing games, creating family flags, and special art workshops. The initiative for the project was motivated by the desire to produce a shared family and community experience, on the background of international studies that highlight the alarmingly small amount of time parents spend with their children. The ArtBus initiative aims to make art accessible to everyone, breaking down geographical and mental barriers alike when brining people from all walks of life to the museum.

The ArtBus starts operating with its unique artistic transportation service first in the local neighbourhoods throughout Petach Tikva, and later in the year to be rolled out across the country.

Drorit Gur Arie, director and head curator at Petach Tikva Museum of Art, says:
“The ArtBus initiative, directed by British artist Charles Avery, brings a fresh spirit into the city and the artistic landscape. I believe that the unique activity that brings together children and parents through a magical journey will make a splash and bring new audiences to the Museum.”