May Half Term - Arty Afternoons: Colourful, Geometrical Abstract Painting!
2026-05-28 13:30 - 15:30 UTC
Taking inspiration from the bold and colourful artwork ‘Sikar II’ by Gillian Ayres, which is on display in Penlee House Gallery, use geometrical shapes and bold colours to paint an abstract artwork of your own.
FREE drop-in, between 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm no need to book.

Arty Afternoons: Mount and frame your artworks
2026-05-30 14:30 - 15:30
Wander around the gallery spaces and explore how the different artworks have been mounted and framed. Create an artwork of your own and make a mount and frame to give it a professional gallery look. How will you frame your artwork? What do you want people to focus on when they look at your piece?

FREE family activities take place every Saturday; drop in anytime between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm.

Arty Afternoons: Scratch an Artwork!
2026-06-06 14:30 - 15:30
Look closely at Wilhelmina Barns-Graham’s artwork ‘Atlantic Squall.’ It looks like lots of little lines and patterns. Using coloured crayons, make a colourful background, then add black over the top and scratch out a picture. The bright colours will be revealed!

FREE family activities take place every Saturday; drop in anytime between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm.

Baby Sensory
2026-06-08 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-06-22 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-06 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-20 10:00 - 11:30
Free, drop-in session for babies from birth to crawlers. Come and experience the amazing artworks whilst exploring sensory play together in the Gallery.

Little Penlee Explorers: Drop-in sessions for under 5s
2026-06-08 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-06 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-03 10:00 - 12:00
Join us to explore, play and create at Penlee House! With activities throughout the galleries, these free, drop-in sessions are for under-5s and their grown-ups.
Monthly on Mondays, 10 am-12 pm.

Arty Afternoons: Buildings Collage
2026-06-13 14:30 - 15:30
Different buildings feature in lots of the paintings in our current exhibition. Explore perspective, and how buildings look smaller the further away they are. Using building shapes made from card and collage, a townscape based on the artworks at Penlee House.

FREE family activities take place every Saturday; drop in anytime between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm.

Arty Afternoons: Beautiful Brooches!
2026-06-20 14:30 - 15:30
Taking inspiration from the stunning enamel brooch showing a ballerina by Lara Knight and Ella Naper, design and make your own colourful brooch that you can wear.

FREE family activities take place every Saturday; drop in anytime between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm.

Arty Afternoons: Mazey Day – Brilliant Badge Making!
2026-06-27 11:00 - 15:30
Join us in the park and explore our current exhibition and collections. Design and make a badge either by choosing a Penlee House image or making your own marks inspired by our ‘Making Her Mark: A Celebration of Women in Art’ exhibition.

FREE family activity; drop in anytime between 11 am and 3.30 pm.

Arty Afternoons: Quay Day – Flying Fish
2026-06-28 11:00 - 15:30
Taking inspiration from the Golowan theme ‘Forever Flying High!’ and from our fishing-themed artworks here at Penlee House, design and make your own colourful flying fish.
