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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Workshops and drawing

Saturday 29 January 2022 – Monday 29 January 2024

© Forough Yavari
© Forough Yavari
© Forough Yavari
© Forough Yavari

Fine art portraiture: from concept to execution

with Forough Yavari

10:30am, Sat 5 Feb

Join award-winning photographer Forough Yavari on a journey to learn how to create intricate, gallery-style fine art portraits from scratch.

Bookings required
Drawing in the Gordon Darling Hall
Drawing in the Gordon Darling Hall
Drawing in the Gordon Darling Hall
Drawing in the Gordon Darling Hall

Drawn in

Alex Voorhoeve

1:00pm, Sun 20 Feb

Draw while listening to cellist Alex Voorhoeve.

Animate your face
Animate your face
Animate your face
Animate your face

Animate your face!

Children’s workshop

10:30am, Sat 26 Feb

Join us in the Gallery for an exciting stop-motion animation workshop with Toonworld!

Bookings required
nonbinarycode
nonbinarycode
nonbinarycode
nonbinarycode

Drawn in

nonbinarycode

1:00pm, Sun 27 Mar

Draw while listening to nonbinarycode – two unique humans who grew up on a diet of grunge, punk and stadium rock.

Untitled#15 (Kylie Minogue performs at Tour of Duty concert at Dili Stadium, East Timor, 21 December 1999)
Untitled#15 (Kylie Minogue performs at Tour of Duty concert at Dili Stadium, East Timor, 21 December 1999)
Untitled#15 (Kylie Minogue performs at Tour of Duty concert at Dili Stadium, East Timor, 21 December 1999)
Untitled#15 (Kylie Minogue performs at Tour of Duty concert at Dili Stadium, East Timor, 21 December 1999)

Professional training

Voice Training Workshop

4:00pm, Mon 28 Mar

Join NIDA-trained actor and teacher, Karen Vickery, Director of Access and Learning, for a workshop full of tips and exercises to protect your most important asset: your voice!

Bookings required
Victor Rufus (guitar) and Elise Walsh (vocal & flute)
Victor Rufus (guitar) and Elise Walsh (vocal & flute)
Victor Rufus (guitar) and Elise Walsh (vocal & flute)
Victor Rufus (guitar) and Elise Walsh (vocal & flute)

Drawn in

Bella Groove

1:00pm, Sun 17 Apr

Draw while listening to Bella Groove as they play an assortment of originals and familiar jazz and blues tunes.

Cashews
Cashews
Cashews
Cashews

Drawn in

The Cashews

1:00pm, Sun 15 May

Draw while listening to Canberra duo, the Cashews.

Queen Elizabeth I, c. 1575  associated with Nicholas Hilliard
Queen Elizabeth I, c. 1575  associated with Nicholas Hilliard
Queen Elizabeth I, c. 1575  associated with Nicholas Hilliard
Queen Elizabeth I, c. 1575  associated with Nicholas Hilliard

Workshop

Wear, repair, repurpose

11:00am, Sat 4 Jun

Join Pure Pod founder, Kelli Donovan, and repurpose your own pair of jeans.

Bookings required
Uccellini Recorder Ensemble
Uccellini Recorder Ensemble
Uccellini Recorder Ensemble
Uccellini Recorder Ensemble

Drawn in

Uccellini Recorder Ensemble

1:00pm, Sun 12 Jun

Draw while listening to the Uccellini Recorder Ensemble.

Traditional weaving workshop
Traditional weaving workshop
Traditional weaving workshop
Traditional weaving workshop

Traditional weaving workshop walk-up

11:00am, Sat 9 Jul

Celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples this NAIDOC week and join Ronnie Jordan a Kalkadoon Pitta Pitta woman, who will share her traditional ecological knowledge with you.

Tactile selves
Tactile selves
Tactile selves
Tactile selves

Tactile Selves Workshop

Professional Learning program for teachers

3:30pm, Fri 12 Aug

Boost your creativity and build a toolkit of practical strategies to develop positive creative learning experiences for your students.

Melissa Clements
Melissa Clements
Melissa Clements
Melissa Clements

Mixing skin tones

Oil painting with Melissa Clements

10:30am, Sat 10 Sep

Join Darling Portrait Prize 2022 finalist Melissa Clements and discover the alchemy of colour mixing to create varied and luminous flesh.

Bookings required
Melissa Clements
Melissa Clements
Melissa Clements
Melissa Clements

Mixing skin tones

Oil painting with Melissa Clements

1:00pm, Sun 11 Sep
Live online

Join Darling Portrait Prize 2022 finalist Melissa Clements and discover the alchemy of colour mixing to create varied and luminous flesh.

Bookings required
Lynden Bassett
Lynden Bassett
Lynden Bassett
Lynden Bassett

Drawn in

Lynden Bassett

1:00pm, Sun 18 Sep

Draw while listening to a gentle sound work based on mandolin and electronics with sound artist Lynden Bassett.

Man with two lives, 2021 Caroline Zilinsky
Man with two lives, 2021 Caroline Zilinsky
Man with two lives, 2021 Caroline Zilinsky
Man with two lives, 2021 Caroline Zilinsky

Walking a fine line

Line drawing with Caroline Zilinsky

10:30am, Sat 8 Oct
Live online

Join Darling Portrait Prize 2022 finalist Caroline Zilinsky in a deep dive into drawing, focussing on the importance of line in creating a portrait.

Bookings required
Caroline Zilinsky. Photo Donald Arnold
Caroline Zilinsky. Photo Donald Arnold
Caroline Zilinsky. Photo Donald Arnold
Caroline Zilinsky. Photo Donald Arnold

Walking a fine line

Line drawing with Caroline Zilinsky

2:00pm, Sat 8 Oct

Join Darling Portrait Prize 2022 finalist Caroline Zilinsky in a deep dive into drawing, focussing on the importance of line in creating a portrait.

Bookings required
Mr Tim
Mr Tim
Mr Tim
Mr Tim

Drawn In

Mr Tim

1:00pm, Sun 30 Oct

Join us in the Gallery and draw while listening to Mr Tim journey around the world through rock music!

Smith & Jones
Smith & Jones
Smith & Jones
Smith & Jones

Drawn in

Smith & Jones

1:00pm, Sun 13 Nov

Draw while listening to Smith & Jones, made up of keyboard player and vocalist Abby Smith, and guitarist and vocalist Sophie Jones.

Bella Groove
Bella Groove
Bella Groove
Bella Groove

Drawn in

Bella Groove

1:00pm, Wed 28 Dec

Draw while listening to Bella Groove as they play an assortment of originals alongside familiar jazz and blues tunes.

Salar Ayoubi
Salar Ayoubi
Salar Ayoubi
Salar Ayoubi

Drawn in

Salar Ayoubi

1:00pm, Mon 2 Jan

Draw while listening to live music performed by Salar Ayoubi. Salar is an Iranian oud player, playing Persian and Kurdish songs.

Creature from the Black Platoon starring Gary Foley 2011
Creature from the Black Platoon starring Gary Foley 2011
Creature from the Black Platoon starring Gary Foley 2011
Creature from the Black Platoon starring Gary Foley 2011

Workshop – TextaQueen

We don’t need another hero

1:00pm, Sun 22 Jan
Live online

Join us online for a vibrant workshop with artist TextaQueen! Discover more about their art practice before grabbing your own Textas and creating a movie-inspired poster about fighting oppression. Right on!

Bookings required
Pop Up Choir. Photo Lona Logan.
Pop Up Choir. Photo Lona Logan.
Pop Up Choir. Photo Lona Logan.
Pop Up Choir. Photo Lona Logan.

Drawn in

Pop Up Choir

1:00pm, Sun 19 Feb

Draw while listening to the Pop Up Choir, singing songs that will leave your toes tapping and heart full.

Minna Gilligan
Minna Gilligan
Minna Gilligan
Minna Gilligan

Workshop - Minna Gilligan

Collage and colour

10:30am, Sat 25 Feb

Join us in the Gallery with artist Minna Gilligan for a creative workshop exploring the story telling powers of colour and collage.

Bookings required
Minna Gilligan
Minna Gilligan
Minna Gilligan
Minna Gilligan

Workshop - Minna Gilligan

Collage and colour

1:30pm, Sat 25 Feb
Live online

Join us online with artist Minna Gilligan for a creative workshop exploring the story telling powers of colour and collage.

Bookings required
Four works from Happy Australian, 2022 Vipoo Srivilasa
Four works from Happy Australian, 2022 Vipoo Srivilasa
Four works from Happy Australian, 2022 Vipoo Srivilasa
Four works from Happy Australian, 2022 Vipoo Srivilasa

Workshop

Handmade Eleganza Extravaganza Paper Doll with Vipoo Srivilasa!

2:00pm, Sat 11 Mar
Live online

Unleash your creative side and show the world your unique style with a handmade paper doll!

Bookings required
Bella Groove
Bella Groove
Bella Groove
Bella Groove

Drawn in

Bella Groove

1:00pm, Sun 9 Apr

Draw while listening to Bella Groove as they play an assortment of originals alongside familiar jazz and blues tunes.

Dulcie Sharpe and Rhonda Sharpe in a room with a brown tile floor, next to a wooden table with soft animal sculptures
Dulcie Sharpe and Rhonda Sharpe in a room with a brown tile floor, next to a wooden table with soft animal sculptures
Dulcie Sharpe and Rhonda Sharpe in a room with a brown tile floor, next to a wooden table with soft animal sculptures
Dulcie Sharpe and Rhonda Sharpe in a room with a brown tile floor, next to a wooden table with soft animal sculptures

Colourful creatures workshop

11:30am, Sun 16 Apr

Join acclaimed Yarrenyty Arltere Artists who live and work in Mparntwe/Alice Springs in a creative walk-up sewing workshop.

Latai Taumoepeau
Latai Taumoepeau
Latai Taumoepeau
Latai Taumoepeau

A Stitch in Time

12:30pm, Thu 18 May

Are you a super sewer / embroider extraordinaire / confident crafter? Then why not join us in the Gallery for a sewing circle with artist Deborah Kelly!

Bookings required
Latai Taumoepeau
Latai Taumoepeau
Latai Taumoepeau
Latai Taumoepeau

A Stitch in Time

12:30pm, Fri 19 May

Are you a super sewer / embroider extraordinaire / confident crafter? Then why not join us in the Gallery for a sewing circle with artist Deborah Kelly!

Bookings required
Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio
Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio
Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio
Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio

Printed Portraits with Alison Alder

Megalo Print Studio

10:00am, Sat 3 Jun

In this hands-on workshop with Alison, discover more about her work as she teaches you the process of screen printing to create a portrait of someone who inspires you.

Bookings required
Mitzy, Iska & Nyssa
Mitzy, Iska & Nyssa
Mitzy, Iska & Nyssa
Mitzy, Iska & Nyssa

Drawn in

Mitzy, Iska & Nyssa

1:00pm, Sun 11 Jun

Draw while listening to Mitzy, Iska & Nyssa as they play classic pop inspired by the hit TV show Bridgerton.

Maybe Today Kris Anderson
Maybe Today Kris Anderson
Maybe Today Kris Anderson
Maybe Today Kris Anderson

Lecture and workshop

Concept, Capture, Craft - The Art of Idea Visualisation with Kris Anderson

2:30pm, Sat 17 Jun

Join award-winning photographer Kris Anderson as he talks about his creative process, and reveals techniques you can use for your own work.

Bookings required
Larissa Kovalchuk
Larissa Kovalchuk
Larissa Kovalchuk
Larissa Kovalchuk

Drawn in

Larissa Kovalchuk

1:00pm, Sun 9 Jul

Draw while listening to Larissa Kovalchuk as they play an assortment of vocal and instrumental music from different eras.

Read my lips workshop
Read my lips workshop
Read my lips workshop
Read my lips workshop

Read my lips

Stop motion workshop

10:00am, Wed 12 Jul

Calling all teenagers 13+! Join internationally awarded animators, artists and musicians Eleanor and Giovanni for a fun hands-on workshop!

Bookings required
Self-portrait, 2011-22 Yvette Coppersmith
Self-portrait, 2011-22 Yvette Coppersmith
Self-portrait, 2011-22 Yvette Coppersmith
Self-portrait, 2011-22 Yvette Coppersmith

Draw collection portraits with Yvette Coppersmith

2:00pm, Sat 22 Jul
Live online

Did someone say, ‘art workshop with an Archibald winner?!’ Woo! Join Yvette Coppersmith from wherever you are for a drawing session using a range of works from the collection.

Bookings required
No-Knit Neurons
No-Knit Neurons
No-Knit Neurons
No-Knit Neurons

No-Knit Neurons Workshop

10:30am, 1:30pm, Sun 13 Aug

Fire up those neurons this winter and make no-knit neurons with Neural Knitworks artist Pat Pillai and textile artist Rita Pearce.

Jess Herrington, AI-assisted digital image, 2022
Jess Herrington, AI-assisted digital image, 2022
Jess Herrington, AI-assisted digital image, 2022
Jess Herrington, AI-assisted digital image, 2022

Brains vs. Computers

Online Science Week workshop

2:00pm, Thu 17 Aug
Live online

The ultimate battle! Join us with artist Jess Herrington for a workshop like no other.

Bookings required

More events

Tuesday 30 January 2024 – Thursday 29 January 2026
© National Portrait Gallery 2023
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency