The Turnpike Gallery regularly hosts free drop-in art & craft workshops for families inspired by our exhibitions programme. Come along to meet an artist and try new creative activities inspired by our local heritage and environment. Suitable for families with children aged 5+.
Saturday Family Workshops
Our next series of free drop-in art sessions for families will be led by brilliant artists Claire Weetman and David Bixter. Come along to experience fun and unique activities inspired by light, movement and storytelling!
Here's some of the sessions we have planned...
All 10am-12pm
Saturday 28th September: The Giants Blankets – Enjoy a 25-minute storytelling performance suitable for 4-8 year olds and try creative activities inspired by the story.
Saturday 12th October: Musical Floor Drawings - Join us to make an epic floor drawing with musical ODD Balls and pencils on bamboo canes.
Saturday 9th November: Movement in Space - Explore an interactive space in the studio and play with audio and video projections on the wall.
Saturday 16th November: Constellations of Kindness – Make your own constellations and discover the Storytelling Constellation dome, featuring illustrations of the story of Hoshi and the Lucky Stars, a tale of a community working together.
October Half Term at The Turnpike
Taking a cue from Fallen Angels Dance Theatre, this half term we will be leading relaxed family-friendly dance sessions exploring the connection between movement and wellbeing. Each session will be led by a different practitioner who will bring their own style and personal experience, so join us for one or all three!
All 11am-1pm on the following dates:
Tuesday 22nd October - Hula Hooping with Danielle de la Wonk
Join circus and street performer Danielle de la Wonk for a family friendly hula hooping workshop! The workshop will take you through games, hula hooping techniques and circus tricks as we explore how we feel movement in our bodies.
Wednesday 23rd October - Mindful movement and breathing with Catherine Hawkins
Mindfulness teacher Catherine Hawkins will introduce us to mindful movement and show us creative ways to visualise breath by playing with a parachute, streamers, feathers and balloons! Learn about meditation and relax together in our immersive exhibition.
Thursday 24th October - Dance and yoga with Karen Elliott
Join dance practitioner Karen Elliott for a relaxed and gentle movement session blending steps from dance and yoga.
Festive Family Day
Saturday 7th December 2024 10am - 2pm
The Turnpike Gallery and Archives: Wigan and Leigh are teaming up to host the annual Festive Family Day, a free event filled with creative activities for the whole family. Enjoy a performance by the Wigan Rock Choir, games, crafts and more! Spend quality time with your loved ones in a festive atmosphere. Don't miss out on this opportunity to create lasting memories together. Please book in advance via Eventbrite.
All workshops are suitable for families with children aged 5+, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. All sessions are drop-in, no need to book. If the session is full you may be asked to wait until a space becomes available.