Event category: Families

In January we’re welcoming in the New Year by crafting a piece of art inspired by a beautiful embroidery in the Gallery showing Khorshid Khanoom ‘the Lady Sun’, a common motif in Iranian folk art. Our youngest artists will be creating their very own embroidered artwork to bring sunshine into their homes.

Mini Morris sessions are now DROP IN ONLY. FREE. Donations welcome.

Choose from:

• 10:00am to 11:00am.
• 11:45am to 12:45pm.

As this can be a messy session, please wear or bring old clothes. Aprons are available.

All sessions include the craft activity, singing and a snack to take away.

Drop in with limited capacity. Please arrive on time and sign up at the front desk.

A minimum of one adult per 2 children. Mini Morris sessions are ideal for children aged 2- 4 but anyone under 5 years old is welcome. We regret we cannot accept any children over 5 at these sessions.

Image: Detail from 19^th Century Tent Panel Rasht (Resht), Iran (Quajar). Embroidered patchwork made with wool and silk. Birmingham Museum Trust.

In December we will take inspiration from all things Morris and make festive decorations using natural materials and bells to spread cheer and good will!

Our youngest artists are invited to join us at the Gallery to create their very own jingly, jangly festive creation to take home and display.

Mini Morris sessions are now DROP IN ONLY. FREE. Donations welcome.

Choose from:

• 10:00am to 11:00am.
• 11:45am to 12:45pm.

As this can be a messy session, please wear or bring old clothes. Aprons are available.

All sessions include the craft activity, singing and a snack to take away.

Drop in with limited capacity. Please arrive on time and sign up at the front desk.

A minimum of one adult per 2 children. Mini Morris sessions are ideal for children aged 2- 4 but anyone under 5 years old is welcome. We regret we cannot accept any children over 5 at these sessions.

Image: Birds in a Holly Tree wallpaper (1890s), designed by Charles Voysey

November’s Family Day will be taking inspiration from the new exhibition William Morris and Art from the Islamic World.

Join us on a colourful journey across borders, countries, and time. Encountering mythical creatures and fairy tale characters along the way. Celebrating art, culture and the magic of storytelling. Facilitated by Elias Mattar a Palestinian play specialist, drama therapist, director and storyteller.

Activities will take place on the Gallery’s first floor Landing. These free, drop-in sessions are open to all. Stories will be most appropriate for ages 5+

All children must be accompanied by an adult.  

About Elias Matar

Elias Matar is a Palestinian play specialist, drama therapist, workshop facilitator, performer, director, and founder of the El Bayet Centre for Performing Arts & Drama Therapy. Elias holds an MA in Drama and Movement Therapy from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. And has a BA in Social Theatre and Education.

Image: ‘Isfandiyar Relaxes a While on his Way to Zabul’, 1620, illustration from the Shahnameh (Book of Kings) by Ferdowsi, Gorgan, Iran (Safavid). ©The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

This October for our Family Day we will be taking inspiration from our local green spaces and embracing the philosophy and environmental activism of William Morris. We will be joined by artist Antionetta Torsiello who will help us explore these ideas and create our own unique nature themed piece of art using collage and block printing.

These free, drop-in sessions are open to all. The activity is suitable for children aged 5+ years.  All materials will be provided.

Activities will take place in Gallery in the Learning Rooms on the second floor.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.  

On the final Saturday of Art Without Heroes: Mingei, participate in family-friendly workshops inspired by Mingei, exploring the beauty of handcrafted everyday objects. Learn the traditional art of textile weaving and create your own fabric using simple cardboard looms. These free, drop-in sessions are open to all. The activity is suitable for children aged 5+ years.   

All materials will be provided.  

Activities will take place in Gallery on the First Floor Landing.  

All children must be accompanied by an adult.   

About William Morris Design Line

William Morris Gallery is excited to be part of this year’s William Morris Design Line, which shines a light on the richness of Waltham Forest’s past and present creative community and encourages visitors to discover, learn and interact with an incredible range of design, making and creative activity.

The William Morris Design Line was created by Wood Street Walls in 2020, as part of the Local Trust’s Creative Civic Change Programme in collaboration with William Morris Big Local. It helped establish a community-led design route through Walthamstow as part of London Design Festival.  The 2024 edition, programmed in partnership with Waltham Forest Council, will extend to Lea Bridge for the first time to showcase designers and makers across the Argall Industrial Area. It is a Design District for London Design Festival 2024.