Names of people and places abound in our garden plants, some from the distant past, some modern, but all with fascinating histories to tell about the plants we love. Cultivars can be named by plant hunters or nurseries, growers and breeders, they reflect their loves and obsessions, or their inspirations. Some seem at odds with the plant they name, others pick up on scent or colour or maybe a memory of a friend or fictional character to be honoured or even contemporary character long since forgotten otherwise.

For centuries, women’s artwork was neglected, their careers thwarted, and their achievements forgotten. Yet, despite the obstacles they faced, many persisted in making art.

This short talk from curator Rebecca Birrell introduces Women: Makers and Muses, a temporary exhibition drawing from our rich holdings of paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics and sculpture, highlighting work by women throughout the history of art and from across the globe.

Rare, beautiful and easy to work, gold has been valued above all other metals in many societies over the last six thousand years. With its resistance to chemical reactions – it never corrodes or tarnishes – it is often called a ‘noble’ metal. The fascination with, and demand for, gold made it an attractive medium for political symbols of power and status, or to provide standards of value and means of exchange.

Early Years Studio is a fun, creative, immersive experience for children aged 0-4. The sessions are designed with early years development in mind. Artists draw upon their expertise as early years facilitators and use the Kettle’s Yard ethos and collection to create sessions where babies, toddlers and their carers can experience and learn together.

Join us in our Clore Learning Studio for free, practical art making workshops. Respond to the displays and exhibitions to make your own artworks. Get creative with artists and our education volunteers, no previous art experience needed!

Activities are for all but most suitable for children between 3 and 11 years. We like to encourage parents/carers to create alongside their child.

If you would like to attend you will need to pre-book an entry slot. Each slot lasts for 30 minutes. Please book one ticket for your whole family.

Join us in our Clore Learning Studio for free, practical art making workshops. Respond to the displays and exhibitions to make your own artworks. Get creative with artists and our education volunteers, no previous art experience needed!

Activities are for all but most suitable for children between 3 and 11 years. We like to encourage parents/carers to create alongside their child.

If you would like to attend you will need to pre-book an entry slot. Each slot lasts for 30 minutes. Please book one ticket for your whole family.

Join us for a late-night opening of Sutapa Biswas: Lumen at Kettle’s Yard. Explore the exhibition after hours, enjoy a drink and have fun.

Drawing on Sutapa Biswas’ collaborative practice, the evening will bring together a range of artists, organisers and creative practitioners to reflect on the themes that underpin her solo exhibition Sutapa Biswas: Lumen at Kettle’s Yard.

Join us for an online panel discussion with exhibition artist Sutapa Biswas, black feminist writer Lola Olufemi and writer and curator Gilane Tawadros. We will explore formal and conceptual considerations that are key to the language of Biswas’ art, whilst also looking at her contribution to the Black Arts Movement – a cluster of politicised artistic activities by artists of colour.

How are animals adapted to the cold of winter? Why do some escape it, and are their migrations being affected by climate change? And as for the most important winter journey of all - are reindeer really the best animals to pull Santa’s sleigh? These are all questions we will be looking into in our Winter Wildlife: ZoologiCOOL livestream on Wednesday 1 December. Join us live on our YouTube channel at 7pm and put your questions to our winter wildlife experts!

This is a free online event 

Join professional willow worker and basket maker Nadine Anderson for a one day workshop making a selection of Christmas decorations in rush & willow.  Nadine will have prepared rush and willow and examples of the decorations you could make such as Rush Angels, Stars, Snowflakes, Rush Swags, Willow Snowflakes, Willow Reindeer and Rush Baubles.  Raffia and fine red ribbon will be used for tying off work in the style of traditional Straw decorations, or feel free to bring your own materials for tying off if you prefer.