To mark this 100 year milestone, local children and young people are invited to create new artwork - for display in the gallery during the centenary period - on the theme of ‘Beautiful Things’.
To help, and provide a little inspiration, we’re offering FREE artist-led workshops over the summer. Come along, get inspired, and create something beautiful!
Details for the workshops are:
Lego Printing with Caroline Coates
9th August, Staircase House
Play meets art! Use Lego boards combined with printing equipment to create unique printed designs. Caroline will show you how to create shapes inspired by Stockport buildings as well as patterns and shapes.
10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:00
FREE, booking essential - Children's Workshop - Lego Printing - Staircase House - Art Tickets
Ages 5 +
All children to be accompanied by an adult.
Draw-a-long with Caroline Coates
16th August, Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery
Drop in to the upper gallery at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery between 10:30 – 12:30 and 1:30 – 3:30 and draw-a-long with artist and illustrator Caroline Coates. She’ll be drawing something different every 20 minutes and you can follow along. Stay for 20 minutes or the whole time, it’s up to you! Materials provided, best suited to those ages 5 and up but all ages are welcome.
10:30 – 12:30 and 1:30 – 2:30
FREE, drop-in.
All children to be accompanied by an adult.
Block Printing Children and Young People’s workshop with Jackie Wagg
21st August, Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery
Explore a range of printing techniques, from simple and fun nature printing using leaves and flowers, to card block printing.
All artwork will be created on A4 to A3 paper, making it perfect for submission to the Beautiful Things exhibition, should you wish to showcase your masterpiece!
2pm
FREE - Booking essential - Block Printing Children and Young People’s workshop with Jackie Wagg - Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery - Art Tickets
Ages 8+
All children to be accompanied by an adult
Stockport - The Cutting Edge Collage, Children and Young People’s Workshop with Jackie Wagg
28th August, Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery
Join Stockport Artist, Jackie Wagg, for a Stockport inspired collage session using photos of Stockport, coloured paper and pencils and pens! What beautiful or iconic Stockport buildings will you use in in your artwork?
All artwork will be created on A4 to A3 paper, making it perfect for submission to the Beautiful Things exhibition, should you wish to showcase your masterpiece!
2pm
FREE - Booking essential Stockport - The Cutting Edge Collage, Children and Young People's Workshop with Jackie Wagg - Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery - Art Tickets
Ages 8+
All children to be accompanied by an adult
Street Art-Inspired Canvases with Caroline Coates
29th August, Staircase House
Be inspired by the beautiful street art all around Stockport and create a canvas using posca pens. Caroline will show you lettering and stencilling techniques to help you create your own street-art inspired piece.
10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:00
FREE, booking essential - Children's Workshop - Street-Art Inspired Canvases - Staircase House - Art Tickets
Ages 8 +
All children to be accompanied by an adult.
Further workshops throughout the summer period are also planned to take place in libraries and leisure centres across the borough – full details and information on how to book will be available here when these are confirmed.
Councillor Dan Oliver, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Public Protection at Stockport Council, said:
“2025 is a big year for Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery – and to be able to involve local children and young people in the centenary celebrations is fantastic.”
“The free summer workshops will provide inspiration and excitement for budding artists and creatives to showcase their talents – in what will culminate in a show stopping exhibition later in the year.”
For full details on how to get involved and register your interest in being part of the ‘Beautiful Things’ exhibition, please visit our special webpages.