KINGLAND’s Pen Gallery keeping kids occupied in half-term with exciting creative workshops

Pen Gallery, part of the recent KINGLAND development in Poole town centre showcasing up-and-coming local businesses, will be hosting a number of children’s creative workshops over the half term break.

Running from 1st June until 4th June, the gallery’s events include a Matisse inspired stencilling class, 3D self-portraits inspired by the gallery’s new exhibition, and animal mask making. All kids’ events are priced at £4.

Emma Rowland, owner of Pen Gallery, says: "We are super excited to start safely hosting events at the gallery. I’m looking forward to creating more fun and exciting activities for kids to do on our high street and engaging the community for a long time to come. I hope they enjoy taking part in these workshops as much as I’ve enjoyed putting them together."

The workshops, open to children of all ages (under 7s requiring adult supervision) will encourage children to learn new creative skills they may not have tried before. Activities such as stencilling, 3D modelling and working with recycled materials will allow kids to engage their minds and come home with their own masterpieces they can feel proud of.

The not-for-profit gallery’s mission is to support local makers and showcase their work, bringing a pillar of support to the local arts community. Artists are able to display their products to sell in the space from jewellery and clothing, to art prints and magazines. Emma has sold the products of 75 separate makers since opening in April, bringing them all a new source of income.

Emma mentions, “The first month open has been so surreal, and being able to pay so many local artists has been the most rewarding experience. I can’t wait to continue with this work supported by the community we are building, and to watch us grow.”

The adults haven’t been forgotten – a now sold-out event for people to create their own ‘zine’ - a small handmade magazine inspired by the current exhibition will be taking place on 3rd June, with many more events to come including a punch needle workshop upcoming on 18th July.

The gallery’s current exhibition, “Our World: Travel Without Travel” is also currently running until 11th June and will inspire many of the workshops taking place.

The multi-dimensional exhibition, the brainchild of local illustrator Jake Williams, celebrates Planet Earth and the biodiversity found around the globe. The exhibit consists of large-scale 2D and 3D scenes, centred around various ecosystems.

Williams has previously worked with the New York Times, and has two published books, both available in store.

John Grinnell, centre manager of the Dolphin Shopping Centre, said: “Seeing places like Pen Gallery not only supporting the arts in such a crucial time, but also providing creative workshops for the community is exactly what this development is about. I am so pleased to see these wonderful small businesses bringing people together, and I’m continually excited about what Kingland will continue to offer with time.”

For further details and to purchase tickets for the upcoming events, please visit https://www.pengallery.co.uk/events and to keep up with latest news, follow @pengallerystore on Instagram. For more information on Dolphin Shopping centre, please visit www.dolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk.

Events Calendar:

• 1st June; Kids Matisse Painting Workshop
• 3rd June; Adult Zine Making Workshop
• 3rd June; Kids’ 3D Self Portrait Workshop
• 5th June; Animal Mask Workshop