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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.

Art. Make. Create.

Sunday 6 July 2025
9:30am – 2:00pm AEST
Three people drawing at a wooden table in front of a wall of drawings

Drop in any time - free

Join us for our annual family day inspired by our bold and dynamic exhibition The Immersive World of Thom Roberts. Connect with Thom Roberts and participate in his live, interactive artwork created throughout the day.

Get creative and playful all day long with block printing and badge-making. Build a cardboard city, craft a colourful kaleidoscope and construct your own pop-out train!

We'll also have live music, ping pong, a chill-out space and plenty of portraiture to go around.

Program

9:30 – 10:00am

The day will start with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Ngunnawal Elder, Brad Bell conducted outside the Gallery.

10:00am – 12:00pm (Gallery open from 10:00am)

See artist Thom Roberts at work and have the opportunity to become part of his live artwork. Thom will select people to have their portraits drawn and integrated into a large-scale, graphic train artwork, as passengers on a Thom train journey.

10:00am – 2:00pm

Spend the day creating with a range of artmaking and activities:

  • Design and decorate a box building to add to a collaborative cardboard city that will grow throughout the day.
  • Craft your own kaleidoscope, make a face badge and construct a pop-out train model to take home.
  • Explore printing and portraiture using Lego blocks and ink pads.
  • Make a stop at the dress-up station and transform into a train for the day.

10:00am – 12:00pm

Dance and move to all your favourite songs with DJ Sue, who will bring good vibes to the morning through an upbeat soundtrack.

12:00 – 2:00pm

Singer song-writer Charlie Grace will perform a mix of indie pop covers and original songs for everyone to move and sing along to.

This program is made possible through the generosity of Tim Fairfax AC.

Wheelchair access icon

Access information

This program is wheelchair accessible. Sensory kits are available to borrow, and a sensory-friendly space will be available throughout the program.

© National Portrait Gallery 2025
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