February 17–June 16, 2013 // Arrington Gallery // Free

The Museum is delighted to share the unique, amusing, and beautiful porcelain table service from the collection of Richard Baron Cohen.  Combining two of his greatest collecting passions–ceramics and hippos–Mr. Cohen commissioned a large dinner service from the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory in Denmark that captures the spirit and personality of his favorite animal.

The story of the service began in 2004, when Mr. Cohen sent photographer Sarah Louise Galbraith on a year-long journey around the world to photograph hippopotami in zoos and in their natural environment. Using these photos, master porcelain painter Jørgen Nielsen painted delightful “portraits” of the hippos on the various pieces of the service. Completed in four years, the service includes 144 pieces.

This family-friendly exhibition focuses on the stories of the hippos, who they are and where they live, and Galbraith’s travels around the world to photograph them.

Hippo Adventures

Join us for a new in-gallery family experience! On Tuesdays and selected Saturdays at 10:30am, children aged 3 to 8 and their adult companions are invited to join Museum educators to explore Hip, Hippo, Hooray!, discover activities that make looking at art fun and exciting, and create new family memories about art and hippos. No reservations are required.

Hippo Adventures are also available by appointment for groups of 10 or more children aged 3 to 8 and their adult companions. For more information or to schedule a tour, click here or call 205.254.2964.

All photos of hippos taken by and copyright Sarah Louise Galbraith.