Day Centres and Elders Groups

The National Portrait Gallery offers Gallery-based workshops and free outreach sessions for vulnerable socially excluded older people in inner and greater London.

Led by experienced artists, these sessions are an opportunity to explore the lives of many famous people represented in the Gallery’s Collection.

Gallery Sessions
These sessions are free of charge and take place in the Gallery. These informal sessions require no prior knowledge of art and can be made to suit differing abilities and interests. Sessions are available Monday to Friday.

Choose from the following:

Introduction to the National Portrait Gallery (90 minutes)
The Gallery displays unique portraits from British history and culture. Find out about the Gallery’s fascinating Collection through discussion, examination of portrait reproductions and practical activities.

What’s in a Portrait (90 minutes)
Using practical art activities, groups will use the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection to explore the different elements of portraiture - pose, expression, background, accessories and composition.

Outreach Sessions
Outreach sessions are available for day centres and elders groups unable to visit the Gallery.

Each 90-minute session is tailor-made. The sessions include practical activities and reference to large-scale portrait reproductions.

Choose from the following topics:

• Adventures and Explorers
• Fame and Celebrity
• Families
• Fashion throughout the ages
• Heroes and Villains
• People and Animals

Past project – Taylor Wessing Community Project with Blackfriars Settlement