The Wilson Museum

Coffee With a Curator July
2025-07-02 13:30 - 14:00 (Europe/London) | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom
Grab a cuppa and join one of our curators for a lunch-time chat, as they introduce you to one of our collection’s objects in the comfort of The Wilson Kitchen.
From pottery and works of art to items that are immersed in the social history of the Cheltenham area, you’ll get to have a closer look at the objects which are currently in the stores and find out a bit more about their provenance and relevance today.
Curators from across all areas of our eclectic collection will be introducing you to a new object or series of works each month! Coffee with a curator runs on the 1st Wednesday of every month.
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Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra July 1
2025-07-02 18:00 - 20:00 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom
Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra
Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra is a community group enabling musicians and performance artists from a range of different backgrounds. The group was established to explore a collaborative space for improvisation and is open to anyone regardless of their ability or education. The group is led by award winning musician Chris Cundy with regular live performances taking place at Cheltenham Festivals.

Taste different flavours of jazz and beyond with the Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra as they experiment with jazz inspired, improvised music. Free on every first and third Wednesday of the month, 6-8PM.

Test Space Consultation Workshops
2025-09-06 - 2025-12-09 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom
We will be holding curator-led workshops throughout the year to listen in more depth to your thoughts about your collections and what you want to see in your new museum. Each session will focus on a particular area of the collection.
As well as regularly hosting schools and community groups from across Cheltenham, the following sessions will be open and free to all.

11am Sat. 6 September: Archaeology: Digging Deeper
11am Tue. 21 October: World Cultures: What Is World Culture?
11am Wed. 19 November: Design & Making: Tell Us What You Love
11am Tue. 9 December: Handling Collection & Local History: Connecting with Local Stories

Art For All Mental Health: Showcase and Workshop
2025-10-10 10:00 - 16:00
Showcase 10am ““ 4pm in The Wilson CafÃ© Courtyard
We are delighted to present this special community showcase by Art for All Mental Health, held for one day only in recognition of World Mental Health Day.
This showcase highlights the inspiring work of a local charity, celebrating the vital role that creativity plays in supporting mental health and wellbeing.
Participants have been invited to create a Postcard Portrait – a format traditionally associated with sharing and connection – as a means of using art to spark conversation, reduce stigma, and promote mental health awareness. Guided by the theme ‘Me, My Art, and My Mental Health’, the showcase demonstrates how artistic expression can serve as a powerful, sustainable tool for personal reflection, resilience, and community dialogue.
Come along to celebrate the work made by the group and take part in a special workshop!
Workshop 10.30am ““ 12.30pm, Foyle Learning Centre
During the exhibition, join a drop-in colour mono-printing workshop to get an insight into AFAMH’s processes. Create your very own postcard artwork to take home or add to a growing collection of community postcards which will be showcased later this year at the Garden’s Gallery.
No experience needed; all materials provided.
About Art for All Mental Health
Art for All Mental Health is dedicated to supporting adults living with a mental health condition across Cheltenham and the wider Gloucestershire area. They deliver therapeutic creative art classes designed to help people manage their mental health condition.

Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra October 2
2025-10-15 18:00 - 20:00 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom

Cheltenham Craftivist Collective October
2025-10-15 18:30 - 20:30 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom
Are you a crafter who wants to use your creative skills to make a difference?
Craftivism is the gentle art of protest. It uses craft to convey a courteous message with the aim of making the world a better place.
Cheltenham Craftivists’ drop-in session is the third Wednesday of each month between 6:30pm-8:30pm in The Foyle. Bring along any project, or come and be inspired by what others are making. We aim to make this group a connection point for crafters to work collaboratively on projects that make meaningful change within our community.
To keep up to date with workshops and collaborative open calls outs for projects follow us on Instagram @cheltenhamcraftivists and don’t hesitate to contact us if you’ve got an idea for a group project!
These drop-in session are on the third Wednesday of each month.

History of Art Lectures: From Da Vinci to Dali
2025-10-22 18:30 - 19:30
Four stand-alone lectures exploring famous artists across different eras in an amusing introduction to the history of art.
If you think you know these artists, think again! Sarah will be unearthing some unexpected anecdotes that you may not have heard of before. Have fun getting to know Da Vinci to Dali in a whole new light.
Join us for a fascinating cultural discovery!
About Sarah
Sarah Middleton is a painter, art historian and lecturer. She studied Italian and History of Art at UCL and courses at The Courtauld and Slade School of Fine Art. Sarah works as a communications consultant and lectures all over the Cotswolds, including giving Arts & Crafts Tours in Painswick.
Www.sarah-middleton.co.uk
Da Vinci and the Dames: The female portraits of Leonardo da Vinci
Wednesday 10th September
6.30 – 7.30pm
Turner and his Travels: Venetian light and Roman romance
Wednesday 22st October
6.30 – 7.30pm
Picasso and his animals: the Eccentric & the Exotic
Wednesday 12th November
6.30 – 7.30pm
Dali & Dadaism: Camembert Clocks
Wednesday 10th December
6.30 – 7.30pm
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Halloween Trail
2025-10-25 - 2025-11-02 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom
Something strange is stirring at The Wilson this October Half Term!
Shadows move, whispers echo, and a trail of mysterious clues winds through the galleries. Seek out hidden ingredients for a secret spell””but beware, not everything is what it seems.
Once you’ve gathered what you need, will you dare drop it all into the waiting cauldron and see what magic unfolds?
The trail runs during gallery hours. Tickets available from the cafÃ© on arrival.

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Creative Explorers October Half Term
2025-10-29 10:00 - 15:00
An artist led holiday club for 4-11 year olds who love to make, share and play. We will collaborate on engaging individual and group craft projects with a focus on nature, the world around us and free play to encourage creativity, language and expression within the arts.
This informal holiday workshop will be fun and light, providing your child with the chance to express themselves artistically while making new friends and learning new skills.
We will take a tour of the galleries, explore the works on display and (weather dependant) we will take a nature walk outside, so please supply a coat if you are happy for your child to join.
Notes:
Please do not pack any products containing nuts in your child’s snack and lunch.
Children get messy! Although we encourage children to wear aprons please ensure they are wearing clothes that are not precious.
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Family Halloween Party
2025-10-31 15:00 - 17:00 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom
Get ready for a spellbinding Halloween adventure at the museum! Join us for two enchanted hours filled with curious crafts, eerie experiments, and our fang-tastic Trick or Treat Trail. Little witches, wizards, and brave explorers can dive into all sorts of magical mischief and mysterious surprises around every corner. Plus, don’t miss the return of Into The Night“”a twilight journey through the dimly lit Foyle to uncover the secrets of creatures that come alive after dark. It’s going to be frightfully fun from start to finish!
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Coffee With a Curator November
2025-11-05 13:30 - 14:00 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom
Grab a cuppa and join one of our curators for a lunch-time chat, as they introduce you to one of our collection’s objects in the comfort of The Wilson Kitchen.
November: Social History Collection
What’s For Dinner? Come along on a culinary adventure with Megan Nass our Social History Curator to discover what food rationing was like in Cheltenham during the Second World War.
Tickets are also available for purchase on the day of the event at the cafe till.
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Material Worlds: Curator Led Tour
2025-11-05 16:00 - 17:00
Join curator Layla Gatens for an exclusive Curator-Led Tour of Material Worlds: Contemporary Artists and Textiles at The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum.

Discover the stories woven into this vibrant exhibition, where international artists transform familiar materials of everyday life into powerful expressions of identity, heritage, and folklore. Gain unique insight into the creative processes and cultural contexts behind each piece, guided by our very own Senior Curator of Art and Exhibitions.

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Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra
2025-11-05 18:00 - 20:00 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom

Wilson Nights November
2025-11-05 18:00 - 21:00 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom
Wilson Nights in November is set to be a night of performance, music and song with a programme consisting of JuJu’s Chinese Dance, a fashion show from up & coming designers Abbie Pooler and Meredith Adams (also known as HOUSE 51), as well as an opportunity to explore Chinese culture through objects, song and calligraphy. Also, resident artist Sammi Fletcher will be delivering a workshop she calls ‘Unruly Stitching‘, investigating our complicated relationship with our bodies whilst stitching!
Wilson Nights is a vibrant, free monthly event held at The Wilson on the first Wednesday of each month. These evenings are designed to celebrate creativity and community through a diverse array of artist-led activities and performances. Every event is different, however, there are a number of regular workshops to get involved in, led by our resident community groups. Keep up to date with what’s going on via our Instagram page.
Our Instagram

Memory Lane CafÃ© November
2025-11-06 10:30 - 12:00 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom
Join in our social group for older people and those living with dementia- come along to The Wilson for a chat and some creativity with a cuppa. Free refreshments provided and there’s no need to book and carers are welcome. Sessions run on the first Thursday of each month 10:30-12:00, below are dates for 2025.

3 July
7 August
4 September
2 October
6 November
4 December

Reimagined Materials: Family Art Workshop
2025-11-08 10:30 - 12:30
Get creative at our free family workshop with artist-in-residence Grace Gatley at the Wilson!
Taking inspiration from the Material Worlds exhibition and Alexandre da Cunha’s amazing installation made from everyday things, we’ll be turning ordinary materials into something extraordinary. Families can make their own colourful wall hangings or help build one big, fun, temporary installation together.
Come along, play with materials, and see what your imagination can create!
About Grace
Grace Gatley is a mixed-media embroidery artist with a degree in Textile Design from Falmouth University. She fuses traditional techniques with contemporary design, inspired by historical buildings, churches and cathedrals. Ornately carved masonry and Victorian stained glass lend pattern and palette to her practice, and she often works with botanical dyes and real flowers; preserving and reflecting fragile natural beauty in print and stitch as in carved stone.

Look Club: Home Educators Workshop
2025-11-13 10:30 - 12:00
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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Practical Fine Art Classes for Adults: Beginners - Winter Term
2025-11-14 13:30 - 2025-12-12 15:30
Join our Practical Fine Art for Beginners course and unlock your creativity!
Our lessons are tailored for those with little-to-no experience in art, but feel the desire to discover and create. At the end of the course, you will have honed your skills and gained confidence in your ability to produce your own artwork. Start your journey as an artist today.
About Kitty McLeod
The tutor, Kitty McLeod, of Promising Artists, trained at Ravensbourne University London and the University of Gloucestershire. She has been teaching art and creative workshops with children and adults of all ages nationally since 2010. She has experience in delivering fine art drawing & painting, illustration, printmaking, animation and life drawing classes. Kitty runs a small art school in Cheltenham and art courses for the National Trust.
Price is for a course of 5 sessions and includes all materials.
Winter Dates:
14 November
21 November
28 November
5 December
12 December
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Practical Fine Art for Children: Winter Term
2025-11-15 10:00 - 2025-12-13 11:30
For keen young artists of all levels. The perfect complement to school art lessons, whether studying at primary or GCSE level. Practical, how-to skills: observational drawing techniques, multi-media exploration, adventures in colour and more. Plenty of time for one-to-one support in these small groups too.
This workshop is ideal for children aged 8-16.
Kitty Skye Mcleod trained at Ravensbourne University London and the University of Gloucestershire. She has been teaching art and creative workshops, organising events, parties, and face painting with children and adults of all ages nationally since 2010. She has experience in delivering fine art, illustration, printmaking, animation and life drawing classes. Kitty’s students have won art scholarships to Cheltenham College, Rendcombe College and King’s School.
Every Saturday 10am ““ 11.30am
Cost is for entire course of five Saturdays.
Terms Dates:
Winter: 15 Nov ““ 13 Dec
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Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra November 2
2025-11-19 18:00 - 20:00 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom

Cheltenham Craftivist Collective November
2025-11-19 18:30 - 20:30 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom

MIMMO STUDIOS X Material Worlds
2025-11-26 10:00 - 2025-12-07 17:00
To celebrate local makers, craftspeople, sustainable fashion and all things textiles, The Wilson have teamed up with MIMMO Studios to bring the vibrancy of Material Worlds into our cafÃ©. Mimmo will take over our lounge with their own beautifully curated selection of products, from ceramics to soft furnishings, clothing and accessories. Perfect for a bit of Christmas shopping.
They will also be hosting 4 unique workshops during their time at The Wilson:
Friday 28th November 3-5pm – MIMMO Studios x Lydia Bolton Decoration Charm Workshop
Sunday 30th November 10am – 11am – MIMMO Studios x Vadoma Sound Healing
Friday 5th December 10am – 11.30am – Coffee Morning Social for artists and Creatives – FREE
Sunday 7th December 10am – 12pm – MIMMO Studios Christmas Clothes Swap

Coffee With a Curator December
2025-12-03 13:30 - 14:00 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom
Grab a cuppa and join one of our curators for a lunch-time chat, as they introduce you to one of our collection’s objects in the comfort of The Wilson Kitchen.
December: Wilson Family Collection Time to celebrate!
Edward Adrian Wilson was one of the first people to commemorate Midwinter’s Day in Antarctica. Officially falling on 21 June, the shortest day of the Antarctic winter, Wilson and his team incorporated many Christmas traditions into their Midwinter celebrations. Join Senior Curator Phillippa Turner as she shares some important objects and stories from our collections.
Tickets are also available for purchase on the day of the event at the cafe till.
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Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra December 1
2025-12-03 18:00 - 20:00 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom

Wilson Nights December
2025-12-03 18:00 - 21:00 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom
Wilson Nights is a vibrant, free monthly event held at The Wilson on the first Wednesday of each month. These evenings are designed to celebrate creativity and community through a diverse array of artist-led activities and performances. Every event is different, however, there are a number of regular workshops to get involved in, led by our resident community groups. Keep up to date with what’s going on via our Instagram page.
In December there will be DJ sets and a makers market, featuring work for sale and live demonstrations.
Makers include:
Amanda Steel
Cocoa Couture
Danielle Villiers-Smith
Elizabete Kozlovska
Friends of Montpellier Skatepark
Gallery Skateboards
Grace Gatley
Hoard Artefacts
Manifest Clothing
Martyna Sabadasz
Nathan Coll
Pittville Press
Primordial Soup
Sammi Fletcher
Suzanne Campbell
Taiwo Adeoti
The Potthouse Collective
DJ sets from:
Druidress
Druidress is a Bristol-based costume designer and maker bringing her flair for the ethereal to music. Summoning elemental beats from electronic indie to nu disco, deep house and dark dubstep.
DJ Tropical Juice
DJ Tropical Juice interweaves her Afro queer influences with one of a kind tunes from all around the world bringing a unique, high energy set tuning back into nature and transporting your soul into another dimension.
Dan Cooper
To many, Dan Cooper is merely the local Wetherspoons DJ. Yet those in the know will tell you there is much more than meets the ears. A multidisciplinary artist, Dan has published and performed poetry, releases his own music and is an active member of The Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra. Away from the pop music in Spoons, Dan has been on line ups with the likes of Goldie, Sammy Virji and The Orb. Expect a mutant blend of Dub, Breaks, Bass and mind expanding Electronic and Experimental Music.
The DJ Collective
The DJ Collective is an inclusive group of adults with learning difficulties and disabilities who meet regularly to share their love of music, practice and perform at events across Gloucestershire. They play a wide range of music, from rare Northern Soul vinyl to live gabba mashups and literally everything in between. They meet on Thursdays in Gloucester at The Music Works inclusive hub to rehearse, plan events, socialise and broadcast on the internet.
Our Instagram

Memory Lane CafÃ© December
2025-12-04 10:30 - 12:00 | The Wilson, The Wilson Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 13JT, United Kingdom

After-School Christmas Crafts
2025-12-09 16:00 - 17:00
Get creative and celebrate the season!
Our fun-filled after-school workshop offers a chance to make festive decorations, cards, and gifts to take home. With plenty of sparkle, glue, and cheer, it’s the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season. All materials provided – just bring your imagination!
For children aged 4 ““ 11, all materials provided.
Please note this is a drop-off session, so parents can enjoy an hour of Christmas shopping or a festive drink in the cafÃ©!
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History of Art Lectures: From Da Vinci to Dali
2025-12-10 18:30 - 19:30
‘From Da Vinci to Dali’
History of Art with Sarah Middleton
Four stand-alone lectures exploring famous artists across different eras in an amusing introduction to the history of art.
If you think you know these artists, think again! Sarah will be unearthing some unexpected anecdotes that you may not have heard of before. Have fun getting to know Da Vinci to Dali in a whole new light.
Join us for a fascinating cultural discovery!
About Sarah
Sarah Middleton is a painter, art historian and lecturer. She studied Italian and History of Art at UCL and courses at The Courtauld and Slade School of Fine Art. Sarah works as a communications consultant and lectures all over the Cotswolds, including giving Arts & Crafts Tours in Painswick.
Www.sarah-middleton.co.uk
Da Vinci and the Dames: The female portraits of Leonardo da Vinci
Wednesday 10th September
6.30 – 7.30pm
Turner and his Travels: Venetian light and Roman romance
Wednesday 22st October
6.30 – 7.30pm
Picasso and his animals: the Eccentric & the Exotic
Wednesday 12th November
6.30 – 7.30pm
Dali & Dadaism: Camembert Clocks
Wednesday 10th December
6.30 – 7.30pm
Book Now

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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Christmas Gift Trail
2025-12-12 10:00 - 2026-01-04 17:00
There are presents hidden all over The Wilson Art Galleries this December and Father Christmas needs clever young explorers to help find them.
Follow the Christmas Present Trail around the building to find all of the missing presents.
And the best part?Everyone who completes the trail will receive a special surprise Christmas gift bag from Santa’s workshop!
Bring your curiosity, your festive spirit, and your best detective skills “” the magical trail is waiting!
Tickets purchased through the cafÃ© only, £7
Tickets only available while gift stocks last.
