There is still more work to be done on our building to prepare WMODA for reopening, but the museum team has been very busy creating a new exhibition of 100 elephants inspired by the Great Elephant Migration. As the sun rose on July 4th, a herd of magnificent Indian elephants started their journey in Newport, Rhode Island. The elephant sculptures were created by The Coexistence Collective, a community of indigenous artisans in South India, who are raising money for conservation work promoting human-wildlife coexistence.

The Great Elephant Migration will arrive in Miami Beach in December after a stop in New York City. This exciting project inspired us to research 100 ceramic elephants in the WMODA collection. Our international herd includes Asian elephants made by British potteries from the early 1800s, realistic sculptures in Boehm’s American porcelain, and African elephants created by the Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio in KwaZulu Natal.  The exhibition will also showcase elephant home furnishings designed by Ardmore, including pillows, table linens and wallpapers produced by Cole & Sons.

We will keep you posted on the development of our elephant story and the WMODA reopening date. In the meantime, try to see the Great Elephant Migration this summer in Rhode Island and New York.  Support World Elephant Day on August 12 by bringing attention to the urgent plight of Asian and African elephants.

Thank you to Grace Montanez for sending us photos of the Great Elephant Migration in Newport.

Learn about the Great Elephant Migration

Learn about World Elephant Day

Discover more about the elephants in the WMODA collection

An Elephant in the Room | Wiener Museum

Ardmore Safari Dance | Wiener Museum