Advertorial feature
The Shipley Art Gallery have a packed programme of events and activities for creative families to enjoy this summer.
The popular Family Arts Festival returns and will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays* throughout the school holidays with a different theme each week. At each session visitors will be able to try their hand at different crafts including sculpting, weaving, drawing, painting, papercraft and jewellery making and more. These events are made even more special as the workshops link to the artworks on display, encouraging participants to be inspired by historical and contemporary artists and to then go on and create their own masterpieces! Friendly artists will be on hand to inspire and encourage, with the whole family welcome to join in.
Family Arts Festival launches on Tuesday 25 July, with the first week themed around the landscape and seascape paintings on display. The following weeks see a diverse range of art forms on offer themed around the textile, ceramic, sculpture, glass and design on display. On Tuesday 8 August, children will love creating lion masks and moveable bird decorations in response to the animal artworks on display. After six fun-filled weeks, Family Arts Festival culminates with the Summer Sketchbook Challenge, where families will be exploring the gallery to discover active and surprising ways of drawing.
The gallery is a beautiful, inspiring space and sessions are kept deliberately small to ensure a quality learning experience without being overcrowded. Everyone is welcome and quieter spaces can be provided for anyone who may need this.
The Shipley Art Gallery is also hosting its first Under 5s Fun Day on Thursday 17 August (older siblings are welcome too). There’ll be an array of activity stations for toddlers to experience, and everything is programmed to engage youngsters in the gallery. Activity stations will be hosted by Early Years specialists from The Shipley Art Gallery, Great North Museum:Hancock, Discovery Museum and the Laing Art Gallery. With everything tailored to the youngsters, parents can be led by their child’s interests enjoying the activities at their own pace. Participate in arts and crafts, inspired by the paintings on display, STEM challenges relating to natural history and even coding for kids! Learning through play is at the heart of this event, and all activities are designed to support early childhood development. Gateshead Libraries is also bringing its wonderful Rhymetime sessions, where families can enjoy a lively half hour of songs, stories and rhymes.
For older children, on Wednesday 23 August, Creativity with a Cause: Protest Art Workshop takes place for 9 – 12 year olds (siblings 7+ also welcome). These workshops are run by the Anne Frank Trust, and are free for children to attend with an adult or independently. At each session young people will explore their identities and differences through creativity, whilst discussing causes, issues and challenges which are important to them. Each session is adapted to reflect the young people attending, and will be a safe space where everyone’s welcome, whatever their identity.
When the summer holidays are over, the creative fun still continues at the gallery, with Crafty Kids taking place every Tuesday morning during term time. Tailored to pre-schoolers, these fun sessions are also themed around the artworks on display, with songs, crafts, stories and lots of creative play. Families will be able to get creative with a range of art materials exploring the gallery together, enjoying treasure hunts and other fun interactive activities. Everything is designed to support children’s early development in a relaxed and enjoyable way, with families welcome to bring a packed lunch to enjoy in the gallery afterwards.
Family Arts Festival: Tuesdays and Thursdays* every school holiday (£3 per participant).
Under 5s Fun Day: Thursday 17 August (£3.50 per participant).
Creativity with a Cause – Protest Art Workshop: Wednesday 23 August (Free).
Crafty Kids: Tuesdays in term time (£4.50).
👉 Advance online booking recommended here
📌 Shipley Art Gallery, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, NE8 4JB
📱 0191 477 1495 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
*Family Arts Festival does not take place on Thursday 17 August due to Under 5s Fun Day.
