The Wilson Museum

Look Club: Home Educators Workshop
2025-11-13 10:30 - 12:00 (Europe/London)
Join us for a workshop that invites us to look closely!
Please note the workshop date has changed to Thursday 13 November.
Look Club with Debbie Kersley is a friendly, inclusive space where, we will look closely at artworks, share what we notice, and listen to each other’s perspectives. When we look together, we often spot more ““ and build a shared understanding along the way. Look Club is about curiosity, conversation, and the joy of discovering new details. Through our discussions and activity, we will develop skills in critical thinking, communicating and visual literacy, while enjoying art without judgement.
For children aged 4 to 11 years old. Children should be accompanied by an adult.
About Debbie Kersley Debbie Kersley is a trained Visual Thinking Strategies facilitator, a practicing artist, and a nature journaller. She works with people of all ages ““ from young children to older adults ““ on creative arts projects in the community. Debbie has a background in Health and Social Care and believes everyone should have the chance to take part in the arts. Since lockdown, she has been running a monthly online Look Club and now enjoys bringing this same relaxed, friendly approach into art galleries and community spaces.
Find out more about the Visual Thinking Strategies approach at www.vtshome.org.
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Living Materials: Home Educators Drama Workshop
2025-12-11 10:30 - 12:00
Join us for an exciting, interactive exploration of the Material Worlds exhibition with Thrive Drama!
This workshop will focus on play and storytelling, using artworks as our starting point. We will begin with fun warm up games to help everyone relax and feel confident, before heading into the Material Worlds exhibit for inspiration. We’ll use the art we see to create characters and tell their stories through drama, then share these with each other.
Drama is all about fun, skills and confidence! All levels of experience and ability are welcome. Please wear clothes/shoes that you can comfortably move in.
This workshop is designed for ages 7″“12. Younger or older children are welcome if parents feel the session is suitable for their child’s level.
Accompanying adults do not require a ticket but please note this is not a drop off session.
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Home Educators Workshop: Edward Wilson "“ Life in Antarctica
2026-02-05 10:00 - 15:00
The Wilson Learning Team is delighted to offer a workshop for Home Educators and their children aged 4-14.
Come and learn about Edward Wilson and his role on the Terra Nova expedition and the Antarctic environment in which he lived and worked.
Discover how Wilson and the other men on the Terra Nova expedition lived and worked in Antarctica, trying some of the food they ate and even getting to try on some replica clothing which has been to Antarctica!
This is a hands-on session where we will explore the harsh and unforgiving landscape that the team endured to reach the South Pole, including their quest to study the penguins in what was called ‘The Worst Journey in the World’ by one of the survivors.
Accompanying adults do not require a ticket but please note this is not a drop off session and adults are encouraged to join in activities with their children.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact learning@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk
10am to 12pm – 4 to 9 year olds
1pm to 3pm – 9 to 14 year olds
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Rego's Story World: Home Educator's Drama Workshop
2026-03-12 10:30 - 12:00
Designed for home educators, this workshop brings Paula Rego’s Jane Eyre to life! Using her artworks for inspiration and objects from the museum’s handling collection, families will explore characters, emotions, and storytelling through playful drama and creative storytelling.
All levels of experience and ability are welcome. Please wear clothes and shoes that you can comfortably move in.This workshop is designed for ages 7″“12. Younger or older children are welcome if parents feel the session is suitable for their child’s level.
Accompanying adults do not require a ticket but please note this is not a drop off session.
Facilitated by Jennifer Taylor, from Thrive Drama.
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Home Educators Workshop: Ink and Imagination
2026-04-23 10:30 - 15:30
Home Educators Workshop: Ink and Imagination
Join us at the Wilson Art Gallery & Museum for a creative, hands-on workshop celebrating the upcoming Paula Rego exhibition!
Together we’ll explore Rego’s powerful imagery in the galleries, her artistic techniques, and the cultural context of her era, with a special focus on the groundbreaking role of women artists.
Participants will experiment with pen-and-ink drawing, add expressive colour washes, and learn simple printmaking techniques. Every young artist will create their own unique print to take home. This engaging session is perfect for home-educating families looking to connect art history with practical creativity.
Accompanying adults do not require a ticket but please note this is not a drop off session and adults are encouraged to join in activities with their children.
10.30am to 12.30pm (4 to 9 year olds)
1.30pm to 3.30pm (9 to 14 year olds)
*You will notice an overlap in ages for the two sessions. As you know your child, please choose which session you think would be best for them.*
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Home Educators Workshop: Cyanotypes and Antarctic Discoveries
2026-06-11 10:00 - 15:00
Home Educators Workshop: Cyanotypes and Antarctic Discoveries
Discover the beauty of botanical exploration at the Wilson Art Gallery & Museum in this hands-on cyanotype workshop for home-educating families!
We will take inspiration from the museum’s herbarium collection (a herbarium is a scientific collection of preserved plant specimens that are dried, pressed, and mounted on paper, or preserved in other ways) and the Antarctic plant documentation made during Edward Wilson’s expeditions. Participants will then learn the fascinating history of cyanotype printing and this early photographic process.
Using natural forms pressed ourselves and inspired by the herbariums, everyone will create their own striking blue-and-white cyanotype prints to take home.
A creative blend of art, nature, and scientific curiosity for young explorers!
Accompanying adults do not require a ticket but please note this is not a drop off session and adults are encouraged to join in activities with their children.
10.30am to 12.30pm (4 to 9 year olds)
1.30pm to 3.30pm (9 to 14 year olds)
*You will notice an overlap in ages for the two sessions. As you know your child, please choose which session you think would be best for them.*
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