Open Day
16 September 2023
Visit us for FREE
An art-filled day of discovery and creativity – all completely free.
Visit the gallery for free and enjoy a host of fun activities. Learn more about our art with talks, tours and “show and tell” sessions taking place throughout the day. Inspired to have a go yourself? The day will be packed with creative activities to do with the family, from learning to draw figures (no more stick men!) to the history of Pallant House.
Everything is free.
Book your free tickets using the button below. You don’t need a ticket to visit but it helps us to know how many people are coming.
Schedule
Click on an event in the table for more information.
| Workshops | When? | Where? |
| Life drawing | 10am – 2pm | Room 11 |
| Crafty Cats | 11am – 4pm | Studio |
| Blue Tonal Portraits | 10am – 3pm | Room 4 |
| Tours & Talks | ||
| Show and Tell | 10am – 4pm | Library |
| Collection Tours | 11am & 12pm | Pallant House |
| Meet the Artists | 10am – 4pm | Room 17 |
| The 34 Model Gallery: Its Unique History | 2pm | Room 5 |
| Caring for Our Collection | 2 – 2:30pm | Room 11 |
| Pick Up and Explore | ||
| Ways of Looking Bags | All day | Reception |
| #PallantsGotTalent | All day | Reception |
Workshops
Life Drawing
Easels at the ready! You will be guided by artist Rebecca Mothersole to create your own drawings of family and friends.
Suitable for ages 5+
When? 10am – 2pm [Drop-in)
Where? Room 11
Crafty Cats
Use stamps and collage to create your own cat, inspired by Gwen John’s beloved moggy, Edward Quinet.
Suitable for ages 5+
When? 11am – 4pm
Where? Studio
Blue Tonal Portraits
Be inspired by the work of Kaye Donachie and create your own portrait in ethereal blues.
Suitable for ages 5+
When? 10am – 3pm
Where? Room 4
Tours and Talks
Library and Archives | Show and Tell
Did you know there are nearly 20,000 items in our library and archives? As you can imagine, there are many fascinating, beautiful and extraordinary pieces. Visitors are welcome to drop-in to see some examples from our collection not usually on show to the public.
When? 10am-4pm [Drop in)
Where? Library
Collection Tours
Learn more about history of the Queen Anne Townhouse from our wonderful Gallery Guides.
When? 11am and 12pm
Where? Pallant House
Meet the Artists
Meet the artists behind our exhibition A Place of My Own. Find out about how they made their work and the stories behind each piece. Community Programme Ambassadors will be joining us to share their experiences of being involved in our inclusive, long term programme.
When? 10am – 4pm
Where? Room 17
The 34 Model Gallery: Its Unique History
Find out about how our visitor favourite, the miniature galleries started life.
When? 2pm
Where? Room 5
Caring for our Collection
Join our Head of Collections, Sarah Norris, for an informal talk about how we care for our art collection and prepare it for display.
When? 2 – 2:30pm
Where? Room 11
Pick Up and Explore
Ways of Looking Bags
New to galleries and museums? These Ways of Looking bags are available to pick up and view art in a fun and engaging way. They include emotion cards, colour paddles, sensory toys and more.
#PallantsGotTalent
Enjoying the Gwen John exhibition? Create your own response to her work on one of our #PallantsGotTalent cards. Pick one up at the Welcome Desk and hand it back when your finished. All entries will be shown on our tv display in the foyer or on our Instagram account.
Will we see you there?
Book your free tickets using the button below. You don’t need a ticket to visit but it helps us to know how many people are coming.
