Who’s at the Mela: Visual art workshops with John Hansard Gallery

Published on: 29 June 2023

John Hansard Gallery, part of the University of Southampton, is one of the UK’s leading contemporary art galleries. They support, develop and create great art by outstanding artists from across the world and are proud to play a dynamic role in the cultural life of Southampton and the region.

They provide inclusive, collaborative and open spaces for reflection, excitement, challenge and developing potential. Their programme includes exhibitions, commissions, partnerships, learning and research projects that draw on a wide range of perspectives and lived experiences. They are proud to be locally engaged, nationally pioneering and internationally recognised.

Engagement and learning is at the heart of what they do. With a wide programme of community outreach, workshops, events, and gallery takeovers, they offer something for everyone! Their tailored projects fit around our current exhibitions and accessibility.

What do they do?

  • Workshops
  • Artist talks
  • Community outreach
  • Events
  • Gallery takeovers
  • Creative activities at festivals
  • Careers presentations
  • Building relationships with local schools, colleges and universities.
  • Tours of our current exhibitions

Join the John Hansard Gallery this year at Mela Festival for a creative workshop led by local artist Abeer Kayani. Part of Co-Creating Public Space, a two-year initiative funded by Arts Council England inviting communities to creatively engage with artists to rethink the use of the public space in Southampton, and beyond.

Abeer Kayani is a textile artist who graduated from the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham and is currently based in Southampton. She specialises in hand-dyed and printed textiles and works with bold colour and intricate patterns influenced by her Pakistani background. Abeer will be creating a workshop inspired by London-based artist Permindar Kaur.

Interested in any of the projects they have at John Hansard Gallery? Speak to a member of their team at Mela wearing a JHG t-shirt to find out more!

Join Abeer between 11am-4pm at the Art Tent at the Southampton Mela Festival on 15th July.