The Colour Monster returns to London this summer with a new back-to-school experience at FRAMELESS

Following a hugely successful residency earlier this year, author and illustrator Anna Llenas’ iconic children’s picture-book series, The Colour Monster, returns to FRAMELESS, London’s largest immersive art experience, with The Colour Monster Goes to School. 

The residency takes over FRAMELESS’ Blank Canvas Gallery for a limited four-week run from 14th August to 11th September 2026, inviting visitors to explore big feelings with a little adventure as they see the gallery transformed into a colourful, multi-sensory journey for The Colour Monster’s first day at school. A perfect family day out, the residency lets little ones and their grown-ups see the beloved series come to life around them, with Llenas’ vivid illustrations realised at full scale through a striking combination of animation, spatial sound design and colour, allowing children to step inside the book and become part of the story. 

At the heart of the new residency, and in a first for FRAMELESS, children become artists in the show itself. Each child colours in their own Colour Monster, choosing the colours that match how they’re feeling, before seeing their creation appear on the gallery walls. Developed so every child can see themselves within the story, this new interactive feature ensures each visit is unique and aims to reinforce creative expression and emotional connection. 

Starting school is a momentous occasion in children’s lives, and with big moments come even bigger feelings. Designed for children aged 3-7, The Colour Monster Goes to School at FRAMELESS aims to create a warm, creative and comforting space where families can share new experiences together and explore the excitement and curiosity that often comes with starting or returning to school. 

Over ten minutes, visitors will embark on a sensory-rich journey into the world of the Colour Monster as he meets new friends, discovers unfamiliar spaces and tries new things at school, helping young visitors explore their own feelings while encouraging mindfulness and reassurance through this joyful experience. The Colour Monster Goes to School runs on a continuous loop within the gallery, meaning visitors can stay and play as long as they like.

Anna Llenas, illustrator and author of The Colour Monster Goes to School, said:

Art is a proven powerful tool to help children navigate emotions, nervousness and stressful periods. After a thoroughly successful first residency with FRAMELESS earlier this year, it only made sense to collaborate once more and bring The Colour Monster Goes to School to life through FRAMELESS’ signature immersive storytelling, in time for the summer holidays and before many children begin their own school journey. My hope is that this gallery will create a shared space for children and their families to come together, foster a personal connection with the Colour Monster’s story and leave with a renewed sense of confidence and motivation.

Creative Director of FRAMELESS, Ryan ‘Woody’ Atwood said:

FRAMELESS’ mission is to make art accessible and interactive, providing a gateway for audiences - especially young budding art lovers - to feel more from the art around them. Anna Llenas’ vivid world of The Colour Monster has provided enjoyment and solace to young imaginations for ten years and, through working closely with Anna and adapting her original illustrations with our team of animators, sound designers, curators and visual artists, we’re honoured to bring a second title of the series to life in our Blank Canvas Gallery, on the tenth anniversary of the series’ first publication in the UK. There’s a moment we can’t wait to see repeated: a child spotting their own monster up on the wall for the first time. It captures everything FRAMELESS is about. Art you don’t just look at, but belong to.

Anna Williamson, Relationship Expert, Psychotherapist & TV Presenter, said:

As a proud advocate for mental health, I’m honoured to be working with FRAMELESS on their new experience based on Anna Llenas’ inspiring picture book, The Colour Monster Goes to School. More and more research is being published around the positive effects of engaging with art from a young age and the valuable tool it provides for children to connect with their emotions allowing them to make sense of big feelings and the world around them. Starting school or going back to school can be a challenging time for kids and this joyful experience offers a safe and empowering space for young minds and their families where they can explore their feelings alongside the Colour Monster and leave feeling more confident going into this momentous time in their lives.

The Colour Monster Goes to School joins an exciting summer of programming for families at FRAMELESS. Earlier this month, the experience unveiled its newest addition to the Permanent Collection - a breathtaking interpretation of Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, now on display in the experience’s The World Around Us Gallery.

FRAMELESS invites families to see the world through art this summer as they explore the experience’s four galleries, housing over 40 masterpieces from around the globe, all under one roof and all in one ticket. Families can even become the art in ‘The Art of You’, where portraits of family members can be captured and transformed into personalised artworks based on the masterpieces they’ve experienced during their visit - the perfect mementos for a family day out.

Through the Government’s Summer Savings scheme, visitors can enjoy a reduced rate on tickets to FRAMELESS from 25 June - 1 September, starting from £25.81 for adults and £17.50 for children. Those visiting as a family can also book a Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children), with prices starting from £75.25 (off-peak) up to £77 (peak). Children aged 0-2 can visit for free.

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The Colour Monster Goes to School runs in FRAMELESS’ Blank Canvas Gallery from 14th August to 11th September 2026. For more information and to book tickets, visit frameless.com