Drawn to Design – Zandra Rhodes inspired Life Drawing

Available 26 January – 8 May 2026

World renowned textile designer and fashion icon Zandra Rhodes is coming to The Holburne! Pupils will have the chance to take part in a special life drawing workshop, inspired by Rhodes ‘hero’ prints, as worn by life model.

Workshop includes time spent in the exhibition gathering inspiration from Rhodes practice, followed by a tutored 2-hour life drawing session.Bold colours, expressive patterns and dramatic shapes come together, in this unique fashion-meets-drawing workshop

Workshops are led in the museum’s Clore Learning room, on the ground floor of the museum offering a quiet and spacious space.

£185 for a maximum 16 pupils

Image credit – Crop of flatlay photograph of Zandra Rhodes ‘Cactus Dress’, Jo Hounsome Photography.

Life Drawing workshops for GCSE & A Level students

Taking inspiration from our permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, pupils will have the chance to experience a fully taught session, developing observational drawing language and skills. Life drawing provides an opportunity to study the human form, as artists throughout history have, to support GCSE and A level coursework.

Workshops are led in the museum’s Clore Learning room, on the ground floor of the museum offering a quiet and spacious space.

Standard 2 hour life drawing workshops can be booked at any time (subject to availability).

£180 for a 2 hour workshop     Maximum 16  pupils

Grayson Perry: Who do you think you are? Create an identity vase.

Grayson Perry: The Pre-Therapy Years
FREE Downloadable Activity Resources

Suitable for GCSE and A level students

These resources have been designed for you to use in the classroom or for on-line teaching.
Explore the early work and techniques of Grayson Perry, focusing on themes of identity and portraiture in The Pre-Therapy Years exhibition.
This self-contained activity focuses on Perry’s use of drawn line, ‘ready-made’ pattern and personal iconography. Students can experience the exhibition through a guided tour film, see demonstrations of simple techniques to apply surface decoration and follow instructions on the activity sheet to create their own Identity Vases.

Suggested activity time (with film): 2 hours

Downloadable Activity Resources and links:

• Download Short Film – a virtual guided tour of the exhibition, focusing on key pieces and the techniques used to make them (run time 15 mins 23 secs)
• Activity Sheet – information about Grayson Perry and images of his work. Includes clear instructions on how to construct a card/paper vase
• Additional images of work by Grayson Perry
• Biographical Timeline

Please note Grayson Perry has always courted controversy, ‘going with the line of most resistance’ to explore gender, identity, sexual fetishism and religious and political iconography.
The film and worksheets do not contain or reference any explicit imagery.

Image credit: Grayson Perry, 2016 Richard Ansett.

Permanent Collection and Temporary Exhibitions

Our stunning collection is a great way to expose students to a broad range of media: paintings, portrait miniatures, sculpture, ceramics, silver and textiles. We’re renowned for our eighteenth century paintings by such famous artists as Gainsborough, Ramsay, Stubbs, Raeburn and Zoffany. Students can broaden their knowledge and find endless inspiration for their own portfolios.

We also have a programme of high profile temporary exhibitions, often drawing on national and international collections, plus interventions by contemporary artists and can offer workshops linked to these. Please call to discuss how we might tailor a workshop to meet your requirements. We can also arrange life drawing sessions at the Museum for your students, please see above for details..

Our workshops can also be adapted for small groups of pupils with special educational needs, giving added emphasis to sensory experience.

Self-led visits are also available: pupils and teachers have free entry but booking is still essential. 

Please see Visit Guidelines for further information to help plan your visit. Contact us 01225 388568 or email learning@holburne.org

We are proud to be a a listed venue with Hyundai’s Great British School Trip. By being a part of this of initiative visiting schools can apply for bursaries to support with growing travel costs. Check out our profile here for further information and to apply for help:- https://greatbritishschooltrip.com/event/holburne-museum/