What’s On
Drawing Together: Curator Talk and Tour
Monday 5 October
5.15pm – 6.30pm
Free, booking essential
Please note, this event will take place at The Young Gallery, Salisbury, not at Chippenham Museum.
Join curators from The Young Gallery, Chippenham Museum and Bath Spa University collections for an exclusive insight into the Drawing Together: Bath Academy of Art at Corsham exhibition. Hear more about how the project came to be, the artwork featured and the history of the Academy. The event will feature a talk, followed by a tour of the space at The Young Gallery, Salisbury.
Drawing Together: The Bath Academy of Art at Corsham brings together artworks from Bath Spa University Collections, Chippenham Museum and The Young Gallery for the first time. Featuring painting, photography, print and sculpture, from artists including Gillian Ayres, William Scott and Walter Sickert, the exhibition explores teaching, learning, creative practice and everyday life at the Academy.
Free Primary Teachers CPD Opportunity
Wednesday 7 October
5pm – 6.30pm
Free, booking essential
Join Chippenham Museum and discover more about our growing Modern and Contemporary Art Collection and how you can use it to bring the work of local artists into your classroom.
Supported by The Arts Society Kington Langley, the museum is working with local artist and teacher Dani Creed from Nib & Wander to deliver a free CPD event. This will be an opportunity to discuss how the museum’s collection can be used to enhance your curriculum and try out activities that can be replicated in your classroom.
This event is free, but booking is essential. Light refreshments will be available.
Collection Conversations
Monthly, Saturdays
2pm – 3.30pm
Free, booking essential
Join in our exciting series of free art talks at Chippenham Museum, where artists from our Modern and Contemporary Art collection will talk about their work, providing insights into their inspiration and practice. This will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions, with the audience encouraged to join the conversation.
Coming up:
- Morag Ballard & Helen Simmonds – 10 October – ON SALE NOW
- Ellie Thompson & Sam Heath – 14 November
Tickets will be released monthly via Eventbrite. For sold out events, email heritage@chippenham.gov.uk to join a waiting list.
Festive Workshops
October – December
Select dates and times
Booking essential
Join Chippenham Museum this festive season for a series of creative workshops for adults, where you can make your own unique Christmas gifts and decorations. No prior experience is required, so everyone is welcome to get creative and try something new.
All workshops are suitable for ages 16 and over. Prices include all materials unless otherwise stated. Tickets will be available to purchase via MuseumShops. See individual workshops for booking details and ticket availability.
Please note that all workshop bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Christmas Bauble Workshop – SOLD OUT
Saturday 24 October, 1.30pm – 4pm, £22
Join Mark Cranfield of Blue Artemis to decorate your own ceramic baubles using an eclectic mix of china transfers, many sourced from potteries of the past. Learn how to apply and layer the transfers to create something truly unique.
Linocut Christmas Card Workshop – On sale Sunday 4 October
Thursday 12 November, 7pm – 9pm, £22
Design, carve and hand-print your own collection of linocut Christmas cards with printmaker Claire Selman. As printing can be a messy process, we advise you to bring an apron or wear suitable clothes.
Artisanal Fabric Printmaking Workshop – On sale Sunday 18 October
Thursday 26 November, 7pm – 9pm, £30
Join local artist Dani Creed to create a bespoke tote bag and zip-up pouch using traditional block-printing techniques. Dani will provide step-by-step guidance, from mixing inks to hand-printing and creating repeat patterns.
Fabric Decorations Workshop – On sale Sunday 1 November
Saturday 12 December, 2pm – 4pm, £22
Join textile artist Janice Botterill for an afternoon of festive creative stitching. Using simple embroidery and darning techniques, transform re-purposed fabrics and threads into folk-art inspired decorations and gift tags. You may also wish to bring personal fabrics to include in your patches.
Please note that we are not running waiting lists for sold out workshops.
October Half Term: Free Creative Activities
Tuesday 27 & Thursday 29 October
10.30am – 3.30pm
Free, drop-in
Join us this October Half Term for free, autumnal-inspired, drop-in creative activities.
Our creative activities can also be enjoyed in a quieter session before the museum opens, from 9am to 10am, for those who may find the busy nature of our drop-in sessions overwhelming and prefer a calm, relaxed environment.
For more information or to book your Quiet Time session, please contact Chippenham Museum. You can email us at heritage@chippenham.gov.uk or call us on 01249 705020.
Please note that the activities will be the same on both days.
Regular Activities
Discovery Time
Every Monday (excluding Bank Holidays)
10.30am – 12pm
£1.50 per child
Drop in, no booking required
Messy play for under 5s. Develop their creative side at Chippenham Museum with crafts, paints, toys, sandpit and more!
This is a drop-in session and places are limited. We recommend arriving at the start to guarantee a place.
This session takes place upstairs (with lift access) in the museum’s Education Room with buggy parking downstairs in the museum.
Crafty Café
Every Monday (excluding Bank Holidays)
2pm – 3.30pm
Free, drop in, no booking required
Bring your knitting, needlework, or unfinished project and join Crafty Café every Monday for a relaxed afternoon of craft, coffee, and conversation at Chippenham Museum.
Crafty Café is a great chance to connect with fellow crafters, swap patterns, share skills, get advice, and find new inspiration.
A fun and social way to enjoy your hobby, and maybe discover a new one too!
Learn more on Crafty Café’s Facebook.
Young Curators Group
Weekly Tuesdays, term time only
4.30pm – 5.30pm
To find out about membership, contact the museum
Join Chippenham Museum’s Young Curators Group, a fun and social group who support Chippenham Museum through researching and curating displays, putting on activities, and helping at events.
The group is open to young people aged 13 and above who wish to gain work experience in a museum setting or volunteer to enhance their CV, UCAS application, or Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE).
West Wiltshire Young Archaeologists’ Club
Saturdays, once a month
10.30am – 12pm
To find out about membership, contact the museum
West Wiltshire YAC is open to everyone aged 8–16 years. YAC clubs get involved in all sorts of activities, including visiting and investigating archaeological sites and historic places, trying out traditional crafts, taking part in excavations, and lots more.