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Family Events

Free Weekend & Holiday Events for Children and Families

All events are free, except where indicated. Some require a ticket, which can be obtained from the Information Desk in the Main Hall of the Gallery, one hour before the event starts. Please note workshop places are limited and are allocated on a first-come, first served basis. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

August - November 2008
For details on individual events, see the calendar below Family Art Workshops
on the third Saturday of the month

11.30 and 14.30

Family sessions exploring portraits in the collections, followed by an art activity. Suitable for children aged 5+ and their carers.

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall. These sessions will last approximately 90 minutes.
 
For details on individual events, see the calendar below

Storytelling For Families
on the third Saturday of the month

14:00 and 15:00

Monthly drop-in storytelling sessions in the Gallery. Suitable for children aged 3+ and their carers.

No ticket required. Meet in the Main Hall. These sessions will last approximately 30 minutes.

August  
For details on individual events, see the calendar below

SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
FACE TO FACE
Weekdays 4-29 April 2008 11.30 & 14.30
Four weeks of Family Art Workshops inspired by the themes raised in the BP Portrait Award and in the Collection. Suitable for ages 5+ and their carers
Themes include:
4th- 8th August - accessories
11th-15th August - families
18th-22nd August - animals in portraits
25th-29th August - action & expression

Individual art sessions listed below.

Important Information
Please note that due to the popularity of the workshops places are now allocated on a first-come, first-served basis one hour before the event. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall. These sessions will last approximately 90 minutes

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.


  Families

August

Monday 11 August 2008, 11:30 & 14:30
FAMILY CREST

Print your family crest inspired by heraldic beasts in the collection

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.

 


August

Tuesday 12 August 2008, 11:30 & 14:30
FAMILY ROOM

Make a room set and a family to live inside

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.

 


August

Wednesday 13 August 2008, 11:30 & 14:30
HAPPY FAMILIES

Make Happy Families playing cards inspired by the Tudors

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.

 


August

Thursday 14 August 2008, 11:30 & 14:30
FINGER PUPPETS

Create a whole handful of family finger puppets

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.

 


August

Friday 15 August 2008, 11:30 & 14:30
FANTASY HOME

Build a fantasy family home for one of the families in our collection

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.

 


August
Saturday 16 August 2008 11:30 & 14:30
INSPIRED

Imagine yourself as an artist inspired by the current display of Eamonn McCabe Portraits, families will look at Artists and their studios before making their own 3D portrait of an artist, their studio and their own works of art.

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall
 


August

Saturday 16 August 2008 14:00 & 15:00
THE MAGIC BEHIND THE PORTRAIT

A visit to a gallery takes an unexpected turn!
Victoria's Mother has taken her to a gallery, she is not pleased, but then she meets a very famous artist and something magical occurs. Find out how Victoria's visit to the gallery turns into an afternoon she will never forget!

Based on the portrait- Private View of Old Masters Exhibition, Royal Academy 1888

See Storytelling For Families information above

No ticket required, meet in the Main Hall. These sessions will last approximately 20 minutes

 

  Animals In Portraits

August

Monday 18 August 2008, 11:30 & 14:30
WILD THING

Animal masks: transform into your favourite animal

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.

 


August

Tuesday19 August 2008, 11:30 & 14:30
ANIMAL MAGIC

Construct wire animal sculptures in a mini environment

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.

 


August

Wednesday 20 August 2008, 11:30 & 14:30
GRRRRRRR!

Grrrrrr!- hear how Landseer made his Trafalgar Square Lions, then make one too!

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.

 


August

Thursday 21 August 2008 11:30 & 14:30
PAWS FOR THOUGHT!

Construct a pair of animal feet to transform your own.

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.

 


August

Friday 22 August 2008 11:30 & 14:30
TAILS OF THE UNEXPECTED

Create an animal bookmark to reveal your animal characteristics

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.

 

  Action and Expression

August

Monday 25 August 2008, 11:30 & 14:30
POP-UP PORTRAIT

Pop-up portrait- make a free-standing pop up portrait

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.

 


August

Tuesday 26 August 2008, 11:30 & 14:30
WALK THIS WAY

Zoetrope Portrait- watch your character whirl into motion

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.

 


August

Wednesday 27 August 2008, 11:30 & 14:30
MOVE IT!

Learn how to add movement to the person in your art work and bring them to life

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.

 


August

Thursday 28 August 2008 11:30 & 14:30
NOW YOU SEE IT

Thaumatrope Portrait- create an optical illusion spinning portrait

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.

 


August

Friday 29 August 2008 11:30 & 14:30
GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT!

Edible portrait- make a fabric sculpture portrait that looks good enough to eat

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

Or take part in our Family Tour & Draw sessions lead by artists and storytellers on weekdays, start times will be advertised in the Main Hall.

 

September  


September

Saturday 20 September 2008, 11:30 & 14:30
WHAT THE DICKENS?

Find out about Charles Dickens and his friends before making your own character portrait book cover.

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free, tickets required and available one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall

 


September

Saturday 20 September 2008, 14:00, 15:00
THE SINGING NIGHTINGALE

A musical story of the search for an extraordinary song! A competition has been announced: Song wanted for very special singer. The town of Brighton goes song crazy and everyone is eager to write the best song for the mystery singer. Find out who wins and what the very exciting prize will be.

Based on the portrait of Johanna Maria ('Jenny') Lind

See Storytelling For Families information above

No ticket required, meet in the Main Hall. These sessions will last approximately 20 minutes

 


September
Event
Saturday 27 September 2008, 11:00 - 16:30
Opening Up

To celebrate the launch of the Cultural Olympiad, poet John Siddique will work with families and young people on poetry building workshops and poetry readings inspired by the Gallery's Collection.

Free
 

October  


October
Event
Saturday 18 October 2008, 13:00 - 16:00
Drop-in event
The Big Floor Draw

Come and create a collaborative continuous line drawing exploring the Gallery space frommultiple viewpoints. Led by artists Emma Middleton and Viyki Turnbull. Part of the Big Draw campaign.

Free
 


October
Event

Saturday 18 October 2008, 14:00, 15:00
Storytelling for Families

Drop-in storytelling sessions in the Gallery on the third Saturday of every month. Suitable for ages 3+.

See Storytelling For Families information above

No ticket required. Meet in the Main Hall. These sessions will last approximately 30 minutes.

 


October
Event
-
Event
Monday 27 October 2008 - 31 October 2008, 11:30, 14:30
A Gallery of Ghosts

A week of half-term art activities inspired by the Polka Theatre's new play, Ghosts in the Gallery. Families will look at the portraits together before creating their own 'spooky' works of art. Suitable for ages 5+.

Free ticket required and available one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall
 


October
Event
Friday 31 October 2008, 18:30
Ghosts in the Gallery

This special performance features characters from the Polka Theatre's play, Ghosts in the Gallery, which explores what happens to theportraits when the Gallery doors have closed on Halloween night. Suitable for ages 8+. Visit www.npg.org.uk for details.

Free
 

November  


November
Event
Sunday 2 November 2008, 12:00
Tour & Quiz

'Ghost and Ghouls' tour of the Gallery aimed at adults but suitable for ages 10+ with their carers.

Free
 


November
Event

Sunday 16 November 2008, 11:30, 14:30
Family Art Workshops

Third Saturday of every month. Family session exploring portraits in the Collection, followed by an art activity. Suitable for ages 5+.

See Family Art Workshops information above

Free ticket required and available on the day one hour before the event starts from the Information Desk in the Main Hall. These sessions will last approximately 90 minutes.

 


November
Event

Sunday 16 November 2008, 14:00, 15:00
Storytelling for Families

Drop-in storytelling sessions in the Gallery on the third Saturday of every month. Suitable for ages 3+.

See Storytelling For Families information above

No ticket required. Meet in the Main Hall. These sessions will last approximately 30 minutes.

 

  IMPORTANT INFORMATION
All events are free, except where indicated. Some require a ticket, which can be obtained from the Information Desk in Main Hall one hour before the event. Please note that workshop places are limited and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

All images © National Portrait Gallery, London, unless otherwise stated.





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