Self-Guided Visits

This tour includes practical and discussion-based activities to encourage exploring Orleans House Gallery both inside and outside. Students will engage with all their senses to place themselves within the different spaces, looking differently and thinking about how artworks make them feel or think.  

Learning Objectives and Key Concepts  

In this tour, students will:  

• Develop ideas for their own artworks, being inspired by the things they see and recording their observations to use later 
  • Build confidence in looking at and talking about artworks and sharing their ideas with others, whilst listening to the opinions of others 
  • Make observational drawings using basic materials 
  • Use their experiences to develop thinking and ideas for their own art making  

Curriculum Links  

In this tour students will make direct links to the Art and Design National Curriculum through:  

• Exploring their ideas whilst recording their observations and experiences 
  • Evaluating and analysing the creative works of other artists using the language of art and make links to their own artwork 
  • Experimenting with drawing techniques  

Look closely at Orleans House Gallery with your students and consider its histories, its future, and its present. Students will use this visit to reflect on how they are connected to the gallery and find inspiration in the building and the natural environment surrounding it.  

Learning Objectives and Key Concepts  

In this tour, students will:  

• Develop ideas for their own artworks, being inspired by the things they see and recording their observations to use later 
  • Reflect on the past and make historical links, making them relevant to themselves today and using them to expand their own ideas 
  • Build confidence in looking at and talking about artworks and sharing their ideas with others, whilst listening to the opinions of others 
  • Make observational drawings using basic materials 
  • Use their experiences to develop thinking and ideas for their own art making  

Curriculum Links  

In this tour students will make direct links to the Art and Design National Curriculum through:  

• Exploring their ideas whilst recording their observations and experiences 
  • Evaluating and analysing the creative works of other artists using the language of art and make links to their own artwork 
  • Experimenting with drawing techniques  

The tour also makes links to curriculum skills in History, Geography, Literacy and RSE

Looking at the different spaces within Orleans House Gallery this tour encourages students to think about placing themselves as unique individuals within this fascinating location. Ideas for practical and discussion-based activities will encourage your students to take notice of the details within the 
architecture and the outside spaces as well as exploring the exhibitions.  

Learning Objectives and Key Concepts  

In this tour, students will:  

• Develop ideas for their own artworks by taking time to look and think differently, exploring the details around them and recording their observations 
  • Build confidence in looking at and talking about artworks and sharing their ideas with others 
  • Listen to others and build skills in understanding and considering options and thoughts different to their own 
  • Experiment with mark making and observational drawing using basic materials 
  • Reflect on their own experiences and use them to develop thinking and ideas for their own future art making  

Curriculum Links  

Students will make direct links to the Art and Design National Curriculum through:  

• Exploring their ideas whilst recording their observations and experiences 
  • Evaluating and analysing the creative works of other artists using the language of art and make links to their own artwork 
  • Experimenting with drawing techniques  

The tour also makes links to curriculum skills in Literacy and RSE.  

Shadowscapes: Turner and Quantum (9 October 2025 until 1 March 2026)  

Turner 250 meets the 100-year anniversary of quantum physics in an exhibition at Orleans House Gallery. Dr Libby Heaney, award-winning artist with a PhD in Quantum Information Science will create a pioneering new immersive work, displayed alongside and in conversation with Turner’s sketches and paintings. Expanding on Turner’s experimental approach, Heaney will transform the gallery through a digital-quantum installation and her paintings.    

The conversation between Heaney’s work and Turner’s is wide-ranging, from exploring the dark and light of modern society, to fascination with cutting edge technologies and experimentation, as well as playing with the sublime and supernatural.    

We invite audiences to explore the radical nature of Turner’s practice through the ultra-contemporary lens of quantum tech. Viewers will be able to understand the fluid and non-binary nature of quantum computing through Turner’s use of washes, movement, shadow and invisible forces.   

Becky Lyons (Stables Gallery – 26 September until 23 November 2025)

Becky is a London based English-Jamaican artist using art to connect with and generate insights about ecology.  Becky’s work is manifested as installations combining sculpture, sensory materials, moving image, photographic objects and text. This exhibition is part of the Emerging Artist Programme. 

Winter Show (Stables Gallery – 28 November 2025 until 1 February 2026)

Our annual exhibition showcasing the talent of Richmond based artists. 

Xinan Yang (Stables Gallery – 6 February until 29 March 2026)

Xinan’s work weaves magical realism into the art of deconstructing photographs through painting, capturing her experiences of dislocation from her homeland and family, and creating a space that exists both in the realm of imagination and reality. This exhibition is part of the Emerging Artist Programme. 

Play and Imagine (2 April until 31 August 2026)

Join us for another interactive exhibition which explores the importance of playing and our imaginations. More information to follow soon. 

Sequoia Barnes (Stables Gallery – 3 April until 7 June 2026)

Sequoia is a textile artist and sculptor who specializes in ceramics/pottery, quilting, soft sculpture, stitching/embroidery, installation, and assemblage. Her work often mixes these different genres via the influence of Black Southern Assemblage. This exhibition is part of the Emerging Artist Programme. 

Richmond Upon Thames College Show (Stables Gallery – 12 June until 26 July 2026)

Our annual showcase of work from Richmond Upon Thames College students is back. More information will be available soon. 

Our self-guided visit resources have been designed by artist Abigail Hunt. Abigail is a visual artist and a freelance arts educator, who has been facilitating creative projects and creating resources for families in galleries, museums and schools for over twenty years. She has extensive experience working with early years groups, primary and secondary pupils and with teachers to develop CPD and learning resources.    

Abigail has worked with many different galleries and organisations including Orleans House Gallery, Whitechapel, Studio Voltaire, Southwark Park Gallery, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Tate Modern and Britain and A New Direction.    

Find out more about Abigail’s work here by following her on Instagram or visit her website    

Illustrator Emma Thrussell has brought Abigail’s activity to life.  Find out more about Emma and the design process.   

Costs and booking   

The self-guided visits and trails are free to use, though booking is essential as we have limited slots. Each self-guided activity resource is designed to take 1 – 1.5 hours. Activities can be completed in any order and can be shortened or expanded to suit your group.    

What resources do you need?  

The activities only need simple drawing materials – paper (loose or a sketchbook) and pencils and something to lean on. Orleans House Gallery can provide paper and clipboards.  

Wet materials (marker pens/paint/charcoal) are not allowed in the galleries.  

Photography is allowed throughout (with the occasional exception of some temporary exhibitions, please check with a member of staff if you are unsure).  

You will receive a digital copy of the trail in advance of the session and a paper one on the day.     

Where do the self-guided visits take place?  

Each activity suggests a location in or around Orleans House Gallery, however all activities are adaptable to take place anywhere either in the galleries or outside.  

How do I book?  

The self-guided visits and trails are free to use, though booking is essential as we have limited slots.