What's On - Art
What's On - The Arts
Get ready for an artistic adventure this Easter in Perth! Don't miss the exclusive workshops at Cairncross Gallery, offering unique insights into Jacobite, slavery, and clearance stories, and unleash your creativity with a range of art workshops at Perth Creative Exchange. Immerse yourself in Māori culture at Perth Art Gallery on March 30, where you'll craft your own ukutangi, a Māori musical instrument, in collaboration with Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, New Zealand. Dive into Scottish history with The Heraldry Society on March 31, creating heraldic shields at Perth Art Gallery. Let your imagination soar at the Mythical Animal Creative Writing Workshop on April 4, guided by children's author Lindsay Littleson. Experience the Renaissance period firsthand on April 13 with "Weaving the Unicorn" at Perth Art Gallery, where you can try your hand at silk preparation. Whether you're crafting, writing, or exploring history through art, Perth is your canvas for an Easter filled with creativity and inspiration!
THE CAIRNCROSS GALLERY
The Cairncross Gallery in Perth Museum is home to a series of six commissions that tell stories from Perth and Scotland in new ways. Six artists were commissioned to work with communities across Perth and Kinross and produce Standards. Standards were banners that played a crucial role in identifying troops, rallying soldiers and conveying messages on the battlefield. These Standards tell stories of Jacobite’s, of slavery and freedom and of the Clearances.
Five of the Pivot artists are joining us this weekend to give exclusive workshops that will introduce you to their work and how they told these stories. All are free, but please book in advance as spaces are very limited. The Standards are free to view within Perth Museum.
Stitch your response to ‘Damn Rebel Bitches’ with Nikkita Morgan
Friday 29th March // 10am // Average Gallery, 135 High Street, Perth // Free, booking required
This workshop will introduce a selection of hand embroidery techniques. Working as a group you will stitch a word, phrase or image onto a large piece of cloth, creating a collaborative response. Suitable for over 14s. To book email [email protected].
Playful Portraits
Friday 29th March // 1pm // Average Gallery, 135 High Street, Perth // Free, booking required
In this drawing workshop led by illustrator Laura Darling, you will take inspiration from historical imagery to produce a collection of playful portraits. Suitable for all skill levels, aged 13 and over.
Character Drawing and Comic Making with Dylan Gibson and Rulzion Rattray
Saturday 30th March // 10am // Average Gallery, 135 High Street, Perth // Free, booking required
Inspired by tales of Perthshire’s Jacobite past, create your own comic art featuring Highland warriors. You will design your own character and create your own comic cover showcasing them in action. Suitable for children, aged 3 to 8, and their families.
Quarto Press Workshop
Saturday 30th March // from 1.30pm // Average Gallery, 135 High Street, Perth // Free, drop in
Try your hand at traditional letter press printing with The Quarto Press. Drop in throughout the day. Suitable for over 12s
Weaving Workshop
Sunday 31st March // 1pm – 3pm // Average Gallery, 135 High Street, Perth // Free, drop in
Come and try your hand at this drop in event and try your hand at weaving. Did you know that weaving was once a thriving occupation Perthshire?
MADE IN PERTH
Perth Creative Exchange is a vibrant cultural hub, home to artists and makers who are producing some of the most exciting work in the heart of UNESCO’s City of Craft. Over the opening weekend, and in conjunction with Perth Creative Exchange, some of Scotland’s artists are hosting free workshops over opening weekend. All workshops are free, supported by Perth and Kinross Council, but must be booked in advance. These workshops take place at Creative Exchange, Stormont Street, Perth, PH1 5NW.
SATURDAY 30th MARCH
Seaweed Art
10am to noon // Ages 14+
Join Fife artist Cally Nurse to find out how to work creatively with seaweed. The two-hour workshop is about using seaweed as a material for mixed media art. We will make postcard sized artworks using Scottish seaweed and look at identifying fresh samples, learn how best to prepare them - drying, pressing and sealing. No experience necessary. This workshop is not recommended if you have seafood allergies. Email: [email protected] to book.
Wild Paint
2pm to 4pm // Ages 14+
Jan Hendry will take workshop participants through the process of making paint from earth pigments from Scotland, as used by our prehistoric ancestors and artists up till the present day. Jan loves improvising with art materials, found materials, discarded objects and stationery. Favourite processes include drawing, painting (and making paint), monoprint, collage and making books. Email [email protected] to book.
SUNDAY 31ST MARCH
Drawing Christine of the Isles
11am to 1pm // Ages 16+ // limited places
Clothed figure taster session with artist Alison Price who will guide you through some quick gesture drawing and onto some longer poses of our very own aristocratic lady of Robert the Bruce’s court -Christina of the Isles. She will be dressed in her Warrior/Hunting Dress so will be a unique and fascinating subject. Alison will lead you through some quick warm up drawings and progress onto a longer pose. Email: [email protected]
Beginners Printing on textiles
2.00pm until 4.30PM // Ages 14+
Create a printed abstract art wall hanging using paper stencils and simple screen-printing techniques. Aileen has over 25 years’ experience in design, costume making and decorative textiles. Please wear suitable clothing as fabric paint used may stain. Email: [email protected] to book
Heraldic Symbols
Sunday 31st March // 11am – 4pm // Perth Art Gallery // Free
Join The Heraldry Society of Scotland and learn all about the symbols in Scottish history. Meet a medieval Royal Hearld Why not have a go at making your own heraldic shield to take home with you. Be sure to share your creations with us. #SymbolsOfPerth Suitable for all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Mythical Animal Creative Writing Workshop
Thursday 4th April // 11am // Perth Art Gallery // Free, donations welcome
Create your own magnificent mythical creature at this fun creative writing workshop with children's author, Lindsay Littleson, author of Guardians of the Wild Unicorns. Suitable for ages 8 and over.
Make your own Māori musical instrument
Saturday 30th March // 10am // Perth Art Gallery // £7
In collaboration with Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, New Zealand, come along to Perth Art Gallery to learn about, and be inspired by, Māori culture. You will learn how to make a ukutangi, a Māori singing treasure, using air drying clay in this hands-on workshop. Suitable for families.
Weaving the Unicorn
Saturday 13 April // 11.30am & 2.30pm // Perth Art Gallery // £5
Meet the silk wife and her assistant to find out about how important their jobs were in the Renaissance period. Watch as they prepare silk and wool for all manner of applications that would be used in tapestries, furnishings and clothing. They may even let you have a go yourself... Suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Casablanca: The Gin Joint Cut
Wed 14th March – Saturday 30th March // 2.30pm (Saturday 30th only), 7.30pm // Perth Theatre // Tickets from £12
A lovingly disrespectful homage to one of the best classic films of all time! Casablanca has some of the most iconic scenes and best lines ever written - so why not play it again? But this time set in a tiny gin joint with three actors playing all the parts. This fast paced, action-packed comedy will have you raising a Bogart-style eyebrow, shedding a Bergman-like tear and drowning out the Nazis with a rousing chorus of The Marseillaise.
AGMP presents: Clearwater Creedence Revival: Bayou Country Tour
Saturday 30th March // 7.30pm // Perth Concert Hall // £31 standing; £33 seated
Creedence Clearwater Revival are one of the most iconic rock groups of all time. Their all-time classic hits such as Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising, Have You Ever Seen The Rain, Born On The Bayou, Fortunate Son, Down On The Corner, Up Around The Bend along with CCR and John Fogerty fan favourites are powerfully reprised by Clearwater Creedence Revival. Standing 14+, under 16's with an adult.
The Glenturret Series presents Session A9
Friday 12th April // 7.30pm // Strathearn Arts, Crieff, PH7 4AX // £26
Over the last 20 years, Session A9 have earned their reputation as one of the best live bands in the country, adored by fellow artists and the wider public alike. It’s no wonder they are frequently described as a “Scottish Supergroup”. The Glenturret Series is sponsored by The Glenturret Distillery, supercharging Strathearn Arts’ music programme which attracts the best musicians, bands and performers to Crieff.
The City Sinners: The Music of Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris
Sunday 31st March // 7.30pm // Strathearn Arts, Crieff, PH7 4AX // £26
The City Sinners feature some of the top players on the Scottish country/Americana scene, fronted by critically acclaimed singer songwriters John Hinshelwood and Louise Mcatee, recently reformed to celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2024 of the release of “Grievous Angel”.
Perth's creative scene beckons, promising an Easter filled with inspiration, discovery, and the joy of artistic expression. Embrace your creative spirit, gather your fellow art enthusiasts, and don't forget to book your spot today!
The fun isn’t just around Perth City Centre. Visitor attractions across Perth and Kinross are putting on special activity for the Easter weekend.