This Saturday August 30th, we’re inviting families and art lovers of all ages to explore our brand-new Artist Studios, get involved in some child-friendly crafting activities, meet our new resident artists and have a say about future of our community spaces.

A series of creative ‘Shaping Spaces’ workshops, led by artist Ayesha Weekes and centred in the site’s beautiful 17^th-century Kitchen Garden, will invite visitors to get their hands messy and contribute to a collaborative clay garden, visit different craft stations, and share their own vision for what a new outdoor learning yard and community space could look like.

Visitors will also be able to explore our new studios, take part in a guided tour of the spaces and meet some of our on-site artists, with an exciting programme of creative workshops taking place throughout the day.

The workshops, all free of charge, include:

• 10.30am- 12.30pm – What Do the Flowers Say? Interactive garden sound workshop with Madina Joldybek

• 11am-12.30pm & 1.30-3.30pm – Community weaving: Florals and foliage theme with Rachna Garodia

• 11am-12.30pm & 1.30-3.30pm – Block printing: Floral patterns & Kitchen Garden blocks with Neerja Sehgal

• 1-3pm – Watercolour painting with Sangeeta Weatherley
• 12.30-3pm – Sustainable Crocheting and Knitting with Tomoko Yamanaka

Our Studios, officially opened in May 2025, were developed in partnership with affordable workplace providers ASC (Artist Studio Company) and form part of CHGT’s ambitious new Community and Creative Campus.

This exciting ongoing project is designed to boost cultural and creative activity in the Hounslow area, foster a vibrant, inclusive community of artists and makers, and enable Chiswick House & Gardens Trust to continue its vital community work.

Working with Ayesha Weekes, Chiswick House & Gardens Trust are keen to hear from its local community about what new community spaces would mean to them, and what they would like them to look and feel like. In addition to sharing their views and visions at the event on August 30^th, Hounslow and West London residents are also invited to contribute to an interactive online digital noticeboard.

A self-guided Kitchen Garden Nature Trail, encouraging kids to discover the butterflies, beetles and bees that thrive in the nature-friendly Kitchen Garden, will also be available throughout the day.

Details

• The Community Celebration and Studios Open Day takes place in the Kitchen Garden on Saturday August 30th, 10.30am to 3.30pm.
• This is a non-ticketed, drop-in event, free to all.
• To access the digital noticeboard, visit: https://padlet.com/ayeshaweekes/shaping-spaces-b51du8yc1j9bdhii