Surrealist Games Lab (CSC291)

A fun, playful workshop where children explore surrealist games, word play and chance-based activities to unlock their imagination and learn how to 'think like a Surrealist'. 

What will you learn on this course?

Inspired by our Surreal Creatures Trail and our exhibitions exploring surrealist artists, including Emmy Bridgwater and the Birmingham Surrealists and Surreal Solihull join this imagination igniting course and become a surreal artist yourself!

Through folded-paper drawing games, automatic doodling, texture rubbings, collage mash-ups, chance prompts and Dada-inspired cut-up poetry, participants will create funny, strange and surprising combinations of words and images. 

Participants will build up a collection of playful experiments, using dreams, nonsense, unexpected pairings and curious prompts as starting points. 

They will then choose their favourite ideas and develop them into a more finished surreal artwork, combining drawing, collage, text, pattern and imaginative details.

The workshop will encourage artistic confidence, collaboration and creative risk-taking, while giving children a completed artwork to take home.

Who is this course for?

This one-day course is suitable for children aged 8-14 years old. It is open to all ability levels and children don’t need previous experience, as full instruction and guidance will be given by the Tutor. We provide a learning support worker and all our staff are DBS checked. Parents are not expected to accompany children on the course.

The course is accessible for children of all abilities who can participate in practical art and craft activities. A parent or carer may assist their child if required but must book a complimentary ticket if attending a course to provide support. The room is wheelchair accessible.

Age ranges are set carefully to consider key age developments, materials being used, and course stimulus. It is very important that age ranges are not too large or across key stages and therefore need to be adhered to.

Do you need to bring anything?

All course material and equipment are provided. Children should dress appropriately as some visual art workshops can get a bit messy.

Please note that lunch is not provided. Children will need to bring their own lunch to eat on a supervised 45-min break. 

Are there any additional costs?

There are no additional costs for this course. 

Who teaches this course? 

Benny Semp