Relaxed Sessions: Inspiring Exhibitions
Join an inclusive session to make your own art with artist Kirsty Reynolds in response to our Hayward Gallery exhibition Chiharu Shiota: Threads of Life.
Relaxed Sessions are the perfect place to start the weekend, specially designed for children and families who would benefit from a sensory adapted space and a smaller group experience.
Come and develop your artistic palette at this Relaxed Session. Digest the work of different artists through the ages, sampling what you like, what you don’t and what makes you say ‘I could do that’.
Through hands-on creative activities, discover how to examine artists’ decisions, influences and unique styles, and respond creatively to different pieces of art. The session shows how everyone can take inspiration from an artist’s practice.
Artist Kirsty Reynolds takes you on a journey through iconic contemporary work, from Keith Haring to Lubaina Himid, before arriving at the work of Chiharu Shiota and Yin Xiuzhen, the artists currently on show in the Hayward Gallery.
Kirsty Reynolds is a puppet maker, visual artist and socially engaged practitioner. She is passionate about bringing people together to connect, take risks and learn through play.
This edition of Relaxed Sessions has been designed alongside Chiharu Shiota: Threads of Life and Yin Xiuzhen: Heart to Heart, at the Hayward Gallery, Tuesday 17 Feb – Sunday 3 May. You don’t need to see the exhibition to enjoy the workshop, but we encourage you to visit if you can.
Need to know
Relaxed Sessions are created for families with SEND or other needs, who would benefit from a smaller group and an adapted space. See all access changes in the access section.
Free tickets are available to book from eight days before the event.
If you’d like to visit the Hayward Gallery after today’s session, we have a limited number of discounted adult Hayward Gallery tickets available to purchase after today’s Saturday Sessions. Details on how to purchase are available on the day. There is free entry to the gallery for under-12s.
Access
We have a ‘What to expect’ guide available for those who may benefit from preparing for the event. View guide.
Relaxed Sessions and Saturday Sessions have a relaxed approach to noise and movement in the space, and you are free to enter and exit throughout.
The following changes are in place for Relaxed Sessions:
- Reduced capacity, and only people with tickets can attend
- Fixed lighting state with no sudden changes
- Moderate sound levels with no sudden changes
- Curtains partly drawn to reduce distractions and noise
- Chairs, benches, bean bags and floor space to get comfortable on
- A team member present who specialises in play for children with SEND
- A rest space available nearby, 10.30am – 3.30pm
- Noise-cancelling headphones on request
- A slow start and slow finish to the session: you can relax in the space for 15 minutes after the workshop ends
You can join our free Access Scheme through your online Southbank Centre account or via email.
Find out more about our Access Scheme
All our access information
For your visit
This event is held at the The Clore Ballroom Southbank Centre
The Clore Ballroom is open six days a week.
Tuesday, 10am – 6pm*
Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
*If we’re hosting a performance, the building will stay open until the event ends.
Plan your visit
The Clore Ballroom is located inside our Royal Festival Hall on Level 2.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
There is step-free access to The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, via a ramp.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
Next to The Clore Ballroom is our Ballroom Cafe where you can grab a coffee and a piece of freshly made cake. Also on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.