Museums and galleries
School’s out for summer – what’s on at The New Art Gallery Walsall
Published on
For children, the prospect of no school for six whole weeks is a welcome treat, but for their responsible adults, it will be a matter of scrambling round trying to fill each week with fun activities to keep them occupied.
The New Art Gallery Walsall has compiled a list of all the child-friendly activities taking place for little ones who love arts and crafts to get involved with.
Butterflies, Bugs and Moths
Throughout the school summer holidays: Tuesday 21 July – Sunday 30 August, 10am-4pm (11am-4pm on Sundays).
Free, drop-in sessions. All ages welcome.
Get creative making a colourful bug using simple paper craft.
Mini Makers – Tuesdays, 11am-1pm.
Drop-in sessions. £4 per child. Ages two to five years old.
- Tuesday 28 July – Animal Clay Play – mould, pinch and squeeze clay into fun animals just like the gallery’s own Frisky the Dog. Also discover animal themed play in our sensory sand tray.
- Tuesday 11 August – Flower Sun Dials – decorate a paper plate with paint and stickers and watch how your flower marks the hours. Then, have fun exploring the sensory sand tray.
Wednesdays For All – Wednesdays, 11am-3pm.
Free, drop-in sessions. Ages four years old and above.
- Wednesday 22 July – Clay Hippos – celebrate Walsall’s famous hippo by making your own clay sculpture.
- Wednesday 29 July – Animal Headbands – look like your favourite animal by adding funky ears, antlers or horns to a headband.
- Wednesday 5 August – Mosaic Medallions – cut paper tiles in a variety of colours to design an exquisite mosaic medallion.
- Wednesday 12 August – Fish Masks – use colourful scrap materials to create a fabulous fishy headpiece.
- Wednesday 19 August – Holiday Zines – document your summer holiday in a fun and colourful collaged ‘zine’.
Young Masters – Thursdays, 11am-12.30pm or 1.30pm-3pm.
£5 per child – advanced booking is essential as numbers are limited. Ages six years old and above.
- Thursday 23 July – Painting Still Life in Acrylics – Join artist Alex Fawson for this painting masterclass. Learn how to use colour and tone to describe 3D objects using acrylic paint, a variety of brushes and canvas board to create a beautiful still life painting.
- Thursday 6 August – Handy Plaster Casts – Join artist, Benny Semp in this exciting workshop inspired by the sculptures of hands in the Gallery’s Collection. Explore a range of techniques in plaster casting then make a beautifully detailed cast of your own hand.
- Thursday 20 August – Colourful Coin Pouch – Work with Kate from Stitchety to create a practical felt pouch then personalise it using decorative stitches and colourful motifs. Pre-punched hole versions and plastic needles available for younger children.
Sunday Art Club, 12pm-3pm
Free admission, drop-in sessions. Ages four years old and above.
- Sunday 19 July – Draw with Shadows – play with light, shadows and hand gestures to create striking silhouettes.
- Sunday 26 July – Square Features – draw nine facial features to create a single artwork.
- Sunday 2 August – Scrap Sketchbooks – turn a collection of scrap papers into a usable sketchbook.
- Sunday 9 August – Floral Sun Catchers – make and take home a colourful summer sun catcher.
- Sunday 16 August – Salt Dough Creations (allergens – contains wheat) – roll, plait and make squashy shapes with traditional salt dough.
- Sunday 23 August – Paper People – collage and colour a whole outfit for a paper doll.
- Sunday 30 August – Reverse Drawing – create bold still-life using black paper and white drawing materials.
Baby & Me
Wednesday 12 August, 10.30am-12pm or 12.30pm-2pm.
£4.00 per child – advanced booking is essential. To book call 01922 654 400 or visit the gallery’s main reception. Ages: from newborn to two-years-old.
Multi-sensory sessions for parents, carers and their babies.
