Museum’s half term programme features mosaics, insects, photography and clay

Visitors to Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery this February half term will be taken on an exciting creative journey with a series of fun events for families.

The holiday voyage begins on Saturday 16 February when artist Jane Stevens will be working with people to create beautiful mosaic tiles inspired by the Gordon Baldwin: Objects for a Landscape exhibition. This special event is suitable for anyone over the age of six and will run from 10.30am to midday. Admission is free but prior booking is essential on 01752 304774 due to limited places.

Have you ever seen an insect through a microscope? On Wednesday 20 February you can do just that and create one of your own – thanks to a drop-in holiday workshop called ‘Interesting Insects’. The workshop will run from 10.30am to 1pm with last entries at 12.30pm. Admission is free and there is no need to book – just come along for as little or as long as you like.

A smaller, bookable workshop will also be running at the same time on Wednesday 20 February, where you can experience the magic of a pinhole camera. The session will take its inspiration from the Ida Kar: Bohemian Photographer exhibition. Staff will help you set up your camera and then you can watch as the image develops before your eyes. Once again, admission is free although places must be reserved in advance on 01752 304774.

Another photography-inspired workshop will follow on Thursday 21 February when the Museum will be giving people the chance to create black and white paper portraits. This collage-based workshop will also run from 10.30am to 1pm with last entries at 12.30pm. Admission is free and there is no need to book. People are welcome to come along for as little or as long as they like although are asked to be patient if the session is busy as activities will be organised on a first come, first served basis.

A ‘Clay Creations’ workshop based on the Gordon Baldwin: Objects for a Landscape exhibition, as well as the natural history and ceramic collections, will also take place on Thursday 21 February. Why not come in, try your hand at being a sculptor and have fun making objects from air-drying clay? As before, this workshop will run from 10.30am to 1pm. Admission is free but advance booking is essential on 01752 304774 due to limited places.

The creative holiday fun ends on Saturday 23 February with a series of 60-minute arts and crafts sessions called ‘On Safari’. Come in and make a jungle-themed gift bag and visor, complete some colouring sheets and more. Sessions will run from 11am to midday, 1.30pm to 2.30pm and 3pm to 4pm. Admission is free but places must be booked in advance on 01752 304774 and all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery offers a range of events and activities for families during each school holiday period as well as on selected Saturdays throughout the year. For more information visit the Museum's ‘what’s on’ pages or telephone 01752 304774.

14 February 2013