Watts Gallery Artists' Village School Trip Arts & Galleries Guildford Surrey

What makes us a great choice for education?

We provide inspiring cross-curricular learning through art, architecture and design themes, which supports the national curriculum and post-14 exam syllabuses. Our founders, George and Mary Watts, passionately believed that art was for everyone, and they helped young and emerging artists through teaching art and design to people with little access to it. The Artists’ Village continues this practice today with our learning programme for all ages; immersive gallery tours, artist-led workshops and secondary school projects bring Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village alive for children and young people. 

What is typically included on our school trips?

Day-long ‘Materials and Making’ workshop sessions include an interactive tour, space to sketch and explore the galleries and surroundings and an artist-led workshop in our dedicated creative learning studios. Over the day you will discover art and ideas in the galleries. See original paintings, sculpture, craft and designs and, with the guidance of an artist, experiment with materials, techniques and creative ideas.

2019/20 workshop themes:

Painting
Recommended for ages 11+
Visit the historic galleries before exploring G F Watts's studio to see materials, letters and unfinished paintings that reveal how he worked. Discuss Watts's materials and techniques with our conservator and create experimental paintings.

Sculpture
Investigate G F Watts's collection of plaster models, maquettes and sculptures and discover the monumental Physical Energy, inspired by the Parthenon frieze. Make sketches in the Sculpture Gallery before working with an artist to create your own 3D plaster sculptures.

Gesso Panels
Explore Mary Watts's studio to see original designs, sketchbooks and art recipes and visit Limnerslease, the artist's home to discover her original decorative gesso panels. Make sketches and collect inspiration from the galleries and surroundings, then work with an artist to design and make gesso panels of your own.

Printmaking
Explore paintings, drawings, designs and ceramics by the Wattses and the De Morgans and discover how Victorian artists were inspired by nature and symbolism. Explore the galleries and draw inspiration to make a relief-printed artwork.

Ceramics
(£120 per 15 students)
Discover the story of the Watts Chapel and how it was made by the adults and children of Compton village. Explore symbolism and Celtic design and visit Mary Watts's studio to learn how it was made. See William De Morgan's glazed ceramics and sketch in the galleries before working in our pottery studio to experiment with clay.

Craft Apprentice
(£120 per 15 students)
Become Mary Watts's apprentice for the day. Visit her Arts & Crafts house and discover bookplates, rug designs and ceramics in her studio. Learn about natural and cultural symbolism from peacocks to Celtic knots, before designing and making clay objects and gesso panels inspired by her work and the surroundings of Watts Gallery – Artists' Village.

Portraits
Explore portraits across Watts Gallery – Artists' Village. Discover faces of the famous and notable in G F Watts's Hall of Fame series and spot faces and bodies in paintings, studies, sketches and sculptures. Visit the artist's studio to learn about his materials and techniques and experiment with portraits in an artist-led workshop.

Studies in Nature
Immerse yourself in nature in and outside of the gallery. Tour the galleries to see different approaches to nature in art and discover how G F and Mary Watts were inspired by the environment that surrounds us. Work in beautiful woodland, collect natural materials and create prints and sketches to record what you find in an experimental sketchbook.

Group Sizes Catered For

We can accommodate groups of up to 60 on a day of workshops and guided activities, which will be divided into smaller groups for tours and workshops. Maximum group sizes for creative workshops are 30 children (15 for pottery).

If you would like to visit with a larger group then please do get in touch to discuss possibilities. 

Materials, Resources & Information Provided

We provide teachers’ notes which will help you uncover the history of the Artists’ Village. We can also offer bespoke training days for your department or whole school.

Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions

Children are welcome to take photos, video and audio in Watts Studios, Watts Chapel and the outdoor spaces. Photography is not permitted in the temporary exhibition spaces at Watts Gallery.

Our historic galleries are available for you to enjoy in augmented reality thanks to award winning app SMARTIFY.

Risk Assessment Details

We provide general risk assessments for the site to visiting groups. Group leaders are invited to the Artists’ Village before visits to familiarise themselves with the site.

Education Officer Information

Sarah Jarvis, Learning Curator (Schools, Families and Young People)

01483 901805

schools@wattsgallery.org.uk

Pricing Information

‘Materials and Making’ workshops are £120 +VAT for up to 30 students (unless otherwise indicated). All materials provided.

For self-guided visits under 18s are free and teachers receive concessionary admission. There is a minimum ratio of 1 adult to 5 pupils for self-led visits.

Clothing Requirements

Students will be provided with aprons when taking part in craft activities.

First Aid Information

Our Learning Team is fully trained in first aid.

Available Facilities

Our fully accessible Clore Learning Studio boasts a purpose-built studio that accommodates 30 students as well as an outdoor learning space. The studio is equipped with easels, printing presses, mannequins, sewing machines, projectors, height adjustable tables and digital tablets.

The Foyle Pottery Studio can accommodate up to 15 students for pottery classes. It is equipped with a kiln, pottery wheels and numerous carving and moulding tools and has an outdoor terrace.

Mini-bus parking bays can be booked. There is a coach drop-off point with nearby parking at Loseley Park.

Schools can enjoy a picnic or packed lunch outside in fine weather or in The Old Kiln or Clore Learning Studio in poor weather. We also have a Tea Shop on site.

Accessibility & Disabled Facilities

Fully accessible toilets are located at Watts Studios and Watts Gallery. Watts Gallery, Watts Studios, the Clore Learning Studio, the Foyle Pottery Studio, the Tea Shop and the Visitor Centre are fully accessible. There is lift access in Watts Gallery and Watts Studios.

We regret that Limnerslease and Watts Contemporary Gallery are not currently wheelchair accessible. Watts Chapel is located at the top of a steep hill, accessed by a cobbled path, which can be a barrier for wheelchair users.

All tours and workshops can be adapted, and we welcome students with special educational needs. The Learning Team is experienced at working with young people with learning and physical disabilities. We offer multi-sensory tours for students with visual impairments and PMLD.

Opening Hours & Information

Watts Gallery and Watts Studios are open to the public every day from 10.30am to 5pm. Watts Chapel is open daily from 9am to 5pm, and the Visitor Centre, shop and Tea Shop are open daily from 10am to 5pm.

Testimonials

‘‘The whole class has been really enthused about what they are involved in. They have been inspired by the Watts Gallery experience and artists; they started seeing themselves as artists."

"The learning I observed was based on excellent first-hand experiences and offered the children real opportunities to engage with the art which surrounded them. The range of activities allowed the children to stay on task and fresh throughout the day."

"The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and learned so much. I always love visiting Watts Gallery, and it was rewarding to share such a lovely place with my young students."