Looking for a family fun day out? The Bernie Grant Arts Centre launched its summer schedule filled to the brim with exhibitions, performances and arts activities for all ages.
What I Thought I Knew
Currently exhibiting until Saturday, 31st August is a display curated by Ronan Mckenzie highlighting oral histories and lived experiences centring on the concept of possibility.
What I Thought I Knew is the first of two exhibitions by Mckenzie, showcasing works from ten emerging and established artists. Known for her focus on intimacy, Mckenzie explores familial archives and stories from ‘back home’, looking specifically at how these histories shaped her perceptions of the future. She invites viewers to join her in re-examining inherited stories, while uncovering new individual and collective narratives. The exhibition will also feature engaging artist-led discussions.
Mckenzie has collaborated with and curated exhibitions and events for The V&A Museum, The Royal Academy, and Tate Modern since founding HOME, a groundbreaking Black-owned, artist-led gallery and community space that opened in 2020.
Supported by the Freelands Foundation’s Space to Dream fund, this exhibition is part of Black Art Matters, a three-year visual arts project at the Centre that explores the Black experience.
Performing arts summer camp
Following an exciting outdoor block party on Windrush Day itself, the programme concludes with a two-week performing arts summer camp for seven to 11 year olds, teaching music, art and drama during the school holidays.
The camp takes place over two separate weeks, with week one being Monday, 29th July to Friday, 2nd August, and week two being Monday, 5th August to Friday, 9th August.
During week one, attending kids will benefit from the direction of Brit School choir director, educator, and musician Ty Lowe. They’ll be encouraged to write songs to their future selves, learning musical styles from around the world, from soul and hip hop to classical and indigenous rhythms of the African and Caribbean diasporas.
In week two, Paulinha de Sousa teaches capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian martial art that blends movement, music, games, and community spirit. Kids will learn to master basic capoeira movements (with accessible modifications for those who require them), explore capoeira music and songs, and immerse themselves in films and craft-making. The week ends with a Roda—a communal circle where everyone can showcase their new skills!
Children can join in for a day for £25 per ticket, or for an entire week for £100. Book here.
