Event category: Workshops

Embrace the harmony of nature and the timeless artistry of ceramics showcased in the Art Without Heroes: Mingei exhibition by crafting your own unique pot to treasure. Decorate your creation with delicate pressed flowers and fabric fragments, infusing it with your personal touch.

While we’ll provide all the materials that you’ll need, we encourage you to bring along any special pieces you’d like to incorporate into your design. You can also explore your artistic flair with our selection of carving tools, allowing you to carve intricate patterns and further personalize your masterpiece

The activity is suitable for children aged 5+ years.

All materials will be provided.

Activities will take place in Gallery on the Second Floor learning rooms

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

For May’s Family Day we have a full day of activities starting on Saturday morning!

Tsumugi weaving is a traditional Japanese craft inspired by the Mingei movement and developed by Living National Treasure Munehiro Rikizo. Join Munehiro’s granddaughter Tomo Yoshizawa for a deep dive in the design process of these unique textiles, as she showcases sketchbooks, weaving designs and sample threads alongside fabric from the Munehiro workshop. This is talk and demonstration (non participatory) from 10am to 12pm.

Then at 1pm, textile artist Mika Sembongi is hosting family sashiko workshops. The term sashiko means ‘little stabs’. Traditionally used for reinforcing or repairing clothes and damaged fabrics, the sashiko technique is now often used for decoration. Our Art Without Heroes: Mingei exhibition has some beautiful examples of sashiko, used to decorate a kimono and increase the durability of a pair of boots and clothing worn by rural workers. Mika will introduce this artform and teach you how to make a sashiko bookmark to take home.

Activites are 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.

Discover the work of May Morris and create an embroidery piece using hessian scrim. Inspired by the birds in one of May Morris’s designs, we’ll be practicing our stitching skills and creating a piece of embroidery to take home.

Mini Morris sessions are now DROP IN ONLY.

Morning Session: 10am – 11.30am

Afternoon Session: 1pm – 2.30pm

As this can be a messy session, please wear or bring old clothes. Aprons are available. All sessions include a tour of the Gallery, the craft activity, singing and snack time. Drop in with limited capacity. Please arrive on time and sign up at the front desk.

Please note: One adult per 2 children.

In April we’re sharing William Morris’s love of books. Did you know he wrote one of the longest poems in the English Language? He set up his own printing company and produced beautifully designed books. Join us to make a print block based on the tale of Chanticleer and the Fox from the Kelmscott Chaucer to print on a small bag.

Mini Morris sessions are now DROP IN ONLY at both 10am and 1pm. FREE. Donations welcome.

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

All sessions include a tour of the Gallery, the craft activity, singing and snack time

In Japanese folklore, when an everyday object is over 99 years old it can gain a spirit. The spirit brings the object to life and gives it a mischievous nature. This concept is known as tsukumogami.

For our April Family Day we’re inviting you to step into the enchanting world of Japanese folklore as you design and create your own tsukumogami shadow puppets. From teapots to tongs, be inspired by the everyday objects in our latest exhibition, Art Without Heroes: Mingei.

The activity is suitable for children aged 5+ years.

All materials will be provided.

Activities will take place in the Gallery’s first floor lounge.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Family Box clothes donations please!

Our Family Box contains all the essentials you may need for your under 5s when visiting the Gallery. We have nappies, wipes, bibs and spare clothes as well as sanitary items for yourself. These are free and available for anyone who needs them. Just ask at reception or the learning team during activities.

This Family Day we’re requesting under 5s clothes donations, if you have any items to spare. We always like to ensure that we include re-used and recycled products to reduce waste as much as possible. We’re currently looking for:

• 0-3 month vests, 8 needed
• 3-6 month vests, 6 needed
• 6-9 month vests, 6 needed
• 12-18 month vests, 4 needed
• 18-24 vests, 4 needed
• 2-3 years trousers/tops – 4 sets needed
• 3-4 years trousers/tops – 4 sets needed

Clothes need to be clean and in reasonable condition. Please give your donations to the front desk on arrival or to the activities team on the day.

Marking the opening of the Gallery’s new exhibition, Art Without Heroes: Mingei with a toast to William Morris for his 190th Birthday (24 March). Come along to a crafting session and create your own Kokeshi doll using a champagne cork. These workshops are inspired by the Kokeshi dolls that feature in the exhibition: hand-carved wooden dolls that form part of Japan’s rich folk-craft tradition.

Visitors can also enjoy the new family trail to accompany the exhibition. The activity is suitable for children aged 5+ years.

All materials will be provided.

Activities will take place in the Learning Studio on the top floor of the Gallery.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

A big thank you to Hometipple who have provided the corks that we will be transforming into Kokeshi Dolls. To continue the celebrations Hometipple is offering 10% off wine and spirits bottles to take home, when you present your Kokeshi Doll at the shop (please note, this offer can only be used for one purchase per doll). Offer ends 30 April 2024.

Image: Kokeshi by Fujita Mitsuhara, courtesy of Sway Gallery London