Join artist Maliheh Zafarnezhad for a hands-on family workshop inspired by the rich visual heritage of Leighton House.

Designed for children aged 5–10 and their adults, this workshop invites families to create layered mixed media collages using photocopies of historical photographs, architectural details from the house, tile patterns from the Arab Hall, and Persian carpet designs from the collection.

While children explore storytelling through texture, shape, and colour, adults will gain insights into creative collage techniques and how to engage with cultural collections in new ways. A joyful opportunity for families to make art together, blending history, pattern, and imagination into personal artworks to take home. All are welcome—no art experience needed!

Useful Information:

• The Family Fun workshops are designed for primary school children, age 5-10 years old.

• Children must be accompanied by an adult during the workshop - workshops are not drop-off and the accompanying adult must stay with their child.

• To avoid disappointment, please do not book tickets for children / siblings under 5, as they will not be able to participate. Additional family members accompanying younger siblings are welcome to enjoy our café and garden during the workshop.

• The workshops will take place in the Leighton House Learning Centre and might include access to the historic house.

• Accompanying adults (1x per child) come for free and admission to the historic house is included in the ticket price.

Meet Maliheh Zafarnezhad

Maliheh Zafarnezhad is an Irish-Iranian artist and educator whose work explores themes of identity, memory, and cultural hybridity. Based between London and Milton Keynes, she draws on her experience as an Iranian-born artist living in the diaspora to create evocative, multi-layered visual narratives. Maliheh holds an MA in History of Art from the University of Limerick, Ireland, and a B.Sc. in Geology from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Her cross-disciplinary background informs a unique artistic approach that blends research, visual storytelling, and cultural reflection. Working primarily with photography, she reimagines old photographs by incorporating collage, painting, found objects, and stylistic elements inspired by Persian miniatures. These techniques allow her to transform archival images into contemporary reflections on personal and collective histories.