What's on at The Harris this May

May is packed with family fun and some great adult learning experiences. The half term programme offers some incredible activities for the whole family with most of it FREE!

Visitors might need to pay or prebook tickets for some of our events, it is advised to  do this well in advance as we often sell out. Visit theharris.org.uk to plan your visit and book tickets.

25^th April – 5^th July

Nerissa Cargill Thompson: The Problem Lies Upstream

A cautionary tale told through mixed media sculptures.

Nerissa Cargill Thompson explores environmental issues through contemporary textile art made using recycled textiles and concrete cast in plastic waste. She aims to make people consider the world around them and their responsibility to the environment.

The title refers to the fact that many of the issues on our coasts and beaches are caused by activity further away. Dropped litter gets washed down drains into the water system as do flushed sanitary products, all eventually pumped out into the sea and other beach litter is often left by day trippers.

The pieces were made in response to research and beach cleans.

Nerissa’s sculptures are a beautiful and effective visualisation of the true legacy of single use plastics and will hopefully instigate conversations around plastic pollution, in particular single use plastic, and what people can do to help however small.

Location: Gallery Two

Age range: Suitable for all ages

Cost: Free. No ticket needed

Sunday, 10 May at 1.30pm - 3pm

Fascinator and Hat Workshop

Join us for a ‘make do and mend’ hat and fascinator remodelling workshop from Karen Harvey of Reinvintaged.

All materials/hats, head bands, trimmings and decorations will be provided but if you have a hat already you’d like to bring along for restyling or redecorating, please feel free (straw or felt).

Perfect if you’ve got a special event or wedding coming up- learn how to create a bespoke headpiece to go with your outfit.

No sewing experience necessary (although some hand sewing would be advantageous)

Location: The Studio

Age range: For Adults

Cost: £15

Ticket required

Thursday, 14 May at 6.30pm

The Colourful Past: Exploring Art in the Ancient World

When we picture the ancient world, we often think of white marble statues and bare stone. In reality, the past was vibrant and colourful.

This illustrated talk explores how art shaped everyday life in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.

From brightly painted temples and statues to intricate mosaics and decorative objects, we will uncover how ancient artists used colour, materials, and imagery to express power, belief, identity, and beauty. The talk will journey across the ancient Mediterranean and Africa, examining surviving evidence alongside reconstructions that help us reimagine how these artworks once looked.

Accessible and engaging, this talk is ideal for anyone curious about art, history, or the ancient world — no prior knowledge required. Expect to leave seeing ancient art in a completely new (and much more colourful) light.

Location: Reading Room

Age range: For Adults

Cost: £3

Ticket required.

Thursday, 21 May at 6pm - 7pm

Lancashire Conservation Studio: Highlighting Recent Work on Paintings For the New Displays

Join painting conservators Michael Bowes and Ines Madruga for a behind the scenes look at recent conservation projects for The Harris’ new displays.

Expert conservation, cleaning, and repair by Lancashire Conservation Studios has been undertaken in preparation for The Harris reopening including the beloved marble sculpture Clytie by G. F. Watts, which was cleaned with cutting-edge laser cleaning technology to restore its original brilliance.

The conservation efforts also brought to light several rare pieces that have not been seen by the public for many years, such as an elegant cotton and silk dress dating back to the 1850s, a portrait of Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Grimshaw, leader of the Royal Preston Volunteers, painted in 1801, and an intricately crafted Victorian mother-of-pearl tea caddy.

Location: Reading Room

Age range: For Adults

Cost: £5

Ticket required

May Half Term – family fun for FREE!

Enjoy a May half-term jam-packed with exciting family-friendly activities at The Harris. Join us for crafting miniature landscapes, sketch and stroll, and an exciting exhibition opening where you can meet the artist Martin Brown! There’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Saturday, 23 May at 1pm - 3pm

The World of Martin Brown Exhibition Opening – Meet the Artist

Encounter the art behind the Horrible Histories books this summer by stepping into ‘The World of Martin Brown’. 

To celebrate the exhibition opening, meet the artist, get your books signed, and sketch-along to his interactive talk to learn how Martin brings stories to life through his dazzling drawings.

The exhibition is free entry and open from 11am, meet Martin Brown between 1-3pm.

Location: The Studio

Age range: For Children

Cost: £3

Ticket required.

Saturday, 23 May 2026 from 11am - Monday, 31 August 2026

The World of Martin Brown: Horrible Histories and Other Dazzling Drawings

A dazzling display of cartoons and art by best-selling children’s book illustrator Martin Brown.

Visitors journey through Brown’s artistic world, tracing his career from his early humorous cartoons to global publishing successes. Original art from Horrible Histories, illustrations from Lesser Spotted Animals, and exclusive content from his latest books, including Nell and the Cave Bear, bring Brown’s imagination vividly to life.

Location: The Harris, Gallery One

Age range: Suitable for all ages

Cost: Free

No ticket required.

Monday, 25 May at 10am - 11.30am & 1pm - 2.30pm

Horrid Harris Crafts

Inspired by the brilliantly gruesome Horrible Histories books…

Step back in time and build your own mini Harris! Design rooms filled with crafty creations inspired by objects from our history collection. Will your world feature the Vicious Vikings, Groovy Greeks, Awesome Egyptians, or Rotten Romans?

All materials are provided, just bring your imagination.

Location: The Studio

Age range: Suitable for all ages

Cost: £2

Ticket required.

Wednesday, 27 May from 10am - 3pm

Foucault Pendulum Talks

Discover a scientific marvel!

Learn about the history and science behind the UK’s longest Foucault Pendulum, here at The Harris.

Astrophysics students from the University of Lancashire will be holding short talks about the pendulum.

Talks will take place on the hour, and half-past the hour between 10am and 3pm.

The pendulum was made by Dr. Brett Patterson and Prof. Derel Ward-Thompson from the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute for Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy in the University of Lancashire. it was manufactured by HUB BUILD.

Location: The Rotunda

Age range: Suitable for all ages

Cost: Free

No ticket needed

Wednesday, 27 May at 10am - 11am, 1pm - 2pm & 3pm - 4pm

The Harris: Sketch and Stroll

Pencils at the ready!

Get creative this May half-term and join local illustrator Phoebe Foxtrot for a guided drawing tour of The Harris.

Materials provided, or bring your own, just no messy inks, paints, or chalks/charcoals please!

Location: The Studio

Age range: Suitable for all ages

Cost: £3. Ticket required.

Thursday, 28 May at 1pm – 2pm & 2.30pm – 3.30pm (child sessions, £3) 6pm - 8pm (adult session, £5)

Recycled Plastic Crafts

Nerissa Cargill Thompson will guide you through using found and recycled materials to create something new.

In this workshop we will explore colour, composition and texture creating collages from soft plastic packaging fused using an iron to turn them into pictures and unique materials to make into pots, pouches and even jewellery.

Location: The Studio

Ticket required.

Friday, 29 May at 10am – 11.30am, 1pm – 2.30pm

Cave Bear Craft

Create your own miniature landscape and build a cave and model bear.

Join a fun and creative workshop where you can design and assemble your very own mini landscape! Craft a detailed cave and a charming model bear to bring your tiny world to life.

Location: The Studio

Age range: Suitable for children

Cost: £2

Ticket required.