Culture Raptor - Exclusive Dino Encounter video plus new exhibitions at the Art Gallery

Check out our ROARSOME new video!

If you've not been yet, take a look at this exclusive preview on YouTube below.....


New exhibitions at the Art Gallery

Caroline Achaintre: Triad

New Acquisitions

This new display showcases some of the diverse recent additions to Art Gallery’s permanent collection including textiles, photographs, paintings and drawings. Image above: Caroline Achaintre, Triad. © The artist.

Air Water Stone

For several decades after 1945, artists working in Cornwall responded with striking originality to the moving spectacle of sea, land, light and seasonal weather. Keyed to particular coastal places as well as to the wider currents of modern art, their paintings and sculptures are widely regarded as marking a high-point in British modern art. The majority of works in the display are from the recent George Dannatt Gift to Southampton City Art Gallery.

Both exhibitions are now open and run until 20 November.


Dino activities at SeaCity

Dinosaur Scrapbooking (Age 4-11)

Wed 5 Aug / SeaCity / 10am-12noon OR 1-3pm / £5 / Pre-book

Have fun learning about dinosaurs, before creating your own scrapbooks to take home using instant printers and craft materials. Please bring a digital camera with a removable SD card.

Dinosaur Drawing (Age 8-15)

Wed 12 Aug / SeaCity / 10.30am-3.30pm / £15 / Pre-book

Join paleo-artist Mo Hassan to learn how to draw prehistoric creatures using pen, pencil, and digital illustration.

Dinosaur Exhibition Tour (All ages!)

Sat 15 Aug / SeaCity / 11-12pm / £5 / Pre-book

Discover more about dinosaurs and marine reptiles with this fascinating exhibition tour led by an expert paleontologist. Includes entry to the exhibition too!



Two day life drawing course

11 - 12 Aug / Art Gallery / 11am-4pm / £64 / Pre-book 

Experienced tutor Brian Reynolds will lead this two-day session suitable for anyone who would like the opportunity to get some guidance in their drawings. Basic drawing materials and paper supplied.


Art history study days

Sat 15 Aug / Art Gallery Lecture Theatre / 10am-4pm / £30 (conc. £28) / Pre-book

Jennie Spiers is going to trace the rise of the art of landscape painting from Minoan Fresco paintings through to Medieval, Renaissance, Classical, and on to the 20th and 21st Centuries.  

Concentrating on Western art, she will cover the different ways that artists throughout different eras, styles and movements have used landscape to inform our understanding of the context of their paintings and to enhance our enjoyment and appreciation of nature. 

There will also be a tour of the landscape paintings on show in the gallery, which range in time from the 17th century to the 21st century and discussing them in the context of their times - 17th to present day.

Want to book?

Call 023 8083 4536 to reserve your space at any of our workshops, talks or other activities.


Clock Tower Tours

Clock Tower Tours-clock-tower-tour

Sun 2 Aug & Sat 15 Aug / 10.30am & 11.30am / SeaCity / £6 (conc. £5.50) / Prebook  

Reopened after major conservation, this is a rare chance to ascend the city’s clock tower. Join one of our tour guides to discover the remarkable history of this iconic building. Participants must be over 12 years old, physically fit, and should wear sensible shoes - there are over 200 steps to climb! NB: Price is for tour only & does not include museum admission.


Kids Workshops at the Art Gallery & Tudor House


Tudor Roses and Knot Gardens (Age 4+)

Tues 4 Aug / Tudor House / 10am-12noon OR 1-3pm / £5 / Pre-book

Using clay and our beautiful garden as your inspiration, create your very own Tudor Knot Garden in this family workshop.


Time Travellers History Club (Age 8-13)

Tudor House / 10.30am-3pm / £15 each session / Pre-book / Please bring a packed lunch and a torch!

Thurs 6 Aug - Stinky Saxons & Vicious Vikings

Build a wattle and daub wall and create your own yarn using a drop spindle. Dress for mess!

Thurs 13 Aug - Rampaging Romans

Have a-go Hypocaust, create your own Roman shield, try dress up in Togas, and much more. Dress for mess!


Summer Art School (Age 8-13)

3, 10, 17 & 24 Aug / Art Gallery / 10am-1pm / £15 / Pre-book

Our weekly art school will include sessions that cover: drawing, painting and collage responses to Dan Holdsworth’s exhibition, as well as our permanent collection shows.


Exhibitions & activities guide

You can view our summer programme here



Discover Southampton

City events & activities

Find out what's going on across the city by visiting the What's On calendar at Discover Southampton. Add your own events too!