Get hands-on with clay in this creative workshop inspired by the colourful tiles of Leighton House’s spectacular Arab Hall. After a short visit to the Arab Hall to explore its patterns, motifs and colours, you’ll experiment with sgraffito – a technique where you scratch through layers of coloured clay slip to reveal the surface underneath and create your own designs.

You’ll explore how artists use motifs and symbols to express ideas, stories and cultural identities, and think about which patterns, shapes or symbols have meaning for you. Along the way, you’ll also discover how clay changes as it dries and learn how to handle it at different stages of the creative process. You’ll then design and make your own ceramic tile to take home. Your finished tiles will be fired by the artist and returned to Leighton House for collection. This workshop is free as part of Art History Festival 2026.

Useful information

• The workshop is intended for young people aged 11 – 16 years old.

• No previous experience needed - just bring your ideas and imagination!

• Workshop is unaccompanied and drop off.

• The workshop will take place in the Learning Centre at Leighton House.

• Participants will be met in reception and accompanied to the Learning Centre

• Ticket includes admission to the museum for the workshop participants.

• Their adults can wait in the museum café or garden or book an admission ticket to visit the museum.

• All materials and tools provided.

• Be prepared to get messy and dress appropriately.

Meet Kwame Lowe

Kwame Lowe is a ceramic artist who specialises in wheel thrown pottery, African-inspired sculpture and combinations of the two. Kwame is a former apprentice of master potter, Chris Bramble.

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