Family Fun Day
Our latest family fun day will be taking place on Saturday 25th June and will be themed around Bees, this will coincide with celebrating Insect Week (20th-26th June).
All activities will run from 10am-4pm and will be suitable for 3+; the cost to take part will only be £1 per person, under 3s free. If you wish to view the museum galleries on this day normal admission will apply.
Full details on the day’s events will be added below as soon as they are confirmed.
Here is a taster of what to look forward to already:
- Watch live demonstrations of real-life bees in their portable hive,
at 11am and 2pm - Discover our UV light and interactive smells exhibit
- Explore the microscopic world of bees
- Make a bee house and paint a bee magnet
- Get hands-on with the master composters
- Have a go at dissecting plants
- Take part in a Bumble Bee quiz and related games in the garden
There is no need to book for activities, please just come along anytime between 10am-4pm.
The coffee shop will also be open and serving light lunches.
Please see below for more detail about those organisations, individuals and charities who will kindly be providing many of the activities during our fun day:
The Cheltenham Science Group (10am-4pm) – Join the science group to experience the world as bees; using ultraviolet light, by dissecting a flower to see why pollinators are so important and by surveying the Nature in Art garden to find about the different pollinators at work. Plus, learn to communicate like a honey bee.
Bees Abroad (11am and 2pm) – The aim of Bees Abroad is to provide education and technical advice in Beekeeping. As part of the family day, see live hive demonstrations from the team as they educate you about bees and their importance! Find out more about them, here.
The Stroud-based Buzz Club for Young People (10am-4pm) – “Our aim is to ensure that all young people are aware of the importance of all bees and insects in the food chain and to care for the environment through bee centered education and play.”
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust (10am-4pm) – one aim of the Trust is to “support the conservation of all bumblebees, rare or abundant” and to educate people on the importance of bees in all shapes and forms. Have a go at completing their Bumblebee quiz and other games during the fun day. Find out more about them, here.
The Master Composters (10am-4pm) – Master Composters are volunteers who encourage people in their local community to start composting at home. During our fun day learn more about composing and the sorts of plants you can grow to help bees in your garden. Find out more about them, here.
Plus, meet insect artist Cath Hodsman who loves to explore the world of bees using a microscope. See some of her bee related artworks on show.
Dare to Dabble
Choose from 2 sessions: 10.30am – 1.00pm or 2.00pm – 4.30pm
There is something very relaxing and peaceful about sitting quietly in the garden. It’s thought that gardens are where man and nature meet. During this workshop we will begin by creating a series of studies that help you to focus on the line and shape of nature and form. Then choose your favourite part of Nature in Art garden to create a more in-depth study using your choice of medium.
This workshop is a fabulous opportunity to try out a new medium or revisit one of your favourites.
Bookable after 4th May.
Book Now
Summer Holidays Art Activity Days:
This Summer we are running a range of our popular art activity days for children aged 3 years and over. They include:
26th Jul – Oil Pastels Inspired by Picasso
27th Jul – Marvellous Marbling
28th Jul – Garden Noughts & Crosses
29th Jul – Pond Dipping
2nd Aug – Paper Making
3rd Aug – Finger Print Doodles
4th Aug – Origami
5th Aug – Sun Print Photography
9th Aug – Paper Sculpture Lizard
10th Aug – Model with Mod Roc
11th Aug – Make a Clay Vessel
12th Aug – Wire Sculpture
16th Aug – The Art of Print Making
17th Aug – Cave Paintings
18th Aug – Painting Party
19th Aug – Pen & Watercolour in the Garden
23rd Aug – Marvellous Mosaics
24th Aug – Landscapes in Textiles
25th Aug – Encaustic Art
26th Aug – Weaving
30th Aug – Build & Decorate a Hedgehog House
31st Aug – Simon Says “Draw & Colour!”
Each workshop interprets the day’s theme using age appropriate materials and techniques. The different times are:
10.30-12.00pm: for 3 – 7 years
1.00-2.30pm: for 3 – 18 years
3.00-4.30pm: for 8 – 18 years
Each activity costs £6 per child and includes free entry to the museum for one accompanying adult. All activity must be booked in advance via our online booking system.
To see full details and to book please visit our Activity Days home page, here.
A chance to walk around the beautiful grounds of Nature in Art and sketch with tutor Stan Giles. Materials provided. Free of charge but donations to The Independence Trust welcome. Spaces are limited so please call 01452 713422 to book your place.
A chance to walk around the beautiful grounds of Nature in Art and sketch with tutor Stan Giles. Materials provided. Free of charge but donations to The Independence Trust welcome. Spaces are limited so please call 01452 713422 to book your place.
Dare to Dabble
Choose from 2 sessions: 10.30am – 1.00pm or 2.00pm – 4.30pm
This workshop is a great introduction to using air drying clay and clay tools. After learning the basics you will make your very own clay vessel that you can take home to paint. Once it’s dry you could use it to keep all of your precious trinkets, your pencils or even a plant!
Bookable after 4th May.
Book Now
Dare to Dabble
Choose from 2 sessions: 10.30am – 1.00pm or 2.00pm – 4.30pm
Learn how to make your very own scraperboard – a very effective material to draw on. Then using specialist tools you will be able to scratch into the surface to draw whatever image takes your fancy.
(Templates will be available to use if you wish).
Bookable after 4th May.
Book Now
October Half Term Art Activity Days:
This October we are running a range of our popular art activity days for children aged 3 years and over. They include:
20th Oct – Rocket Sewing Cushion
21st Oct – Stained Glass Effect Autumn Garland
25th Oct – Pompom Pumpkins
26th Oct – Incy Wincey Spider FLIES Up the Spout!
27th Oct – Firework Paintings Inspired by Jackson Pollock
Each workshop interprets the day’s theme using age appropriate materials and techniques. The different times are:
10.30-12.00pm: for 3 – 7 years
1.00-2.30pm: for 3 – 18 years
3.00-4.30pm: for 8 – 18 years
Each activity costs £6 per child and includes free entry to the museum for one accompanying adult. All activity must be booked in advance via our online booking system.
To see full details and to book please visit our Activity Days home page, here.
Dare to Dabble
Choose from 2 sessions: 10.30am – 1.00pm or 2.00pm – 4.30pm
The printing method we will use today uses a pencil to make marks on the printing surface. It is a fantastic workshop that will introduce you to the art of print making and how to easily make complicated multiple colour prints.
You will also be able to use your printing block multiple times to create your own unique wrapping paper – all ready for Christmas!
Bookable after 4th May.
Book Now
When Gwen Fern walked home accross Slad Valley on a summer night in 1919 she found enough glow worms to decorate her hat with a ‘ribbon of lights’.
On Saturday 26th November at 11am and 1.30pm Slad Valley resident and children’s writer Christine O’Neill will be reading her new story for young children, The Wrong Side of the Dark illustrated by Amanda Lawrence’s glass and inspired by the true story about Gwen Fern and the glow worms which was one of the earliest inspirations for the exhibition The Valley in the Glass.