MARGATE.- Turner Contemporary’s new Drawing Studio has attracted over 3,000 visits in its first two weeks, demonstrating strong appetite for the gallery’s expanded drawing programme.
The studio—an open, accessible space for visitors of all ages— has quickly established itself as a vibrant hub for Margate’s creative community. Families, adults, young people and regular visitors, have responded enthusiastically, with many praising the free dedicated space and materials that make drawing accessible for all.
Taking inspiration from the current exhibition, Learning to See by Bridget Riley, the studio pays tribute to the importance of drawing for Riley, and for many artists, in building a foundation for their work.
A year-round programme for all ages
The Drawing Studio launches with five programme strands, offering regular opportunities for people to explore drawing, develop new skills and enjoy creative time together:
1. Drawing Tours Fridays, 3.30pm–4.15pm
A guided introduction to drawing through the exhibitions, encouraging visitors to slow down, look closely and sketch from artworks and objects.
2. Art Rebels: Mark Making Saturdays & Sundays, 2–4pm
A relaxed, family-friendly workshop exploring playful drawing.
3. Scribblers: after-school drawing club Wednesdays, 3.30pm–4.30pm
A weekly creative space for children to experiment with new techniques and build their drawing skills.
4. Artist-led drawing workshops
Dec, 11 Jan, 22 Feb, and monthly until October 2026 11.30am–1pm
Hands-on sessions led by practising artists, introducing participants to a wide range of drawing styles, materials and approaches. The first group of artists—programmed through February—focus primarily on life drawing, with future sessions exploring mixed media, botanical drawing, and later seascape and landscape drawing.
5. Drawn Together: monthly drawing social for adults 5 Dec, 9 Jan, 6 Feb, and monthly until October 2026 6–8pm
A relaxed evening event inviting adults of all abilities to meet, draw and experiment in a welcoming studio environment.
Turner Contemporary has also created a Sketchbook to complement the Drawing Studio. The Sketchbook teaches the foundations of drawing—giving space for people to practice and experiment—and is available to buy at the Turner Contemporary shop.
A digital campaign #GetDrawnIn
Alongside in-person workshops, Turner Contemporary has launched a digital campaign encouraging people to share their drawings and creative moments using the hashtag #GetDrawnIn.
The campaign invites visitors, families, schools and artists from across the country to contribute to a growing online community celebrating creativity in Margate.
Artist collaborations and future plans
The gallery is developing a programme of in-person masterclasses with an exciting intergenerational range of artists. These sessions will be held in the Drawing Studio and filmed to create online learning content, expanding access for audiences beyond Margate.
A creative space for everyone
The Drawing Studio has been designed as a free, warm and welcoming environment where visitors can enjoy the simple pleasure of picking up a pencil and exploring their creativity.
Toby Parkin, Head of Learning & Participation at Turner Contemporary, said: ‘The Drawing Studio is for everyone—a place to experiment, learn, slow down and enjoy the simple act of drawing. We’re excited to keep building a programme that grows with the community and welcomes people of all ages and abilities to get involved.’
Turner Contemporary will continue updating its programme through 2026, with a focus on accessibility, participation and supporting Margate’s growing creative community.
