The Sun and The Moon: Summer Solstice Festival

About

Join us for a weekend of performances, guided workshops, seasonal refreshments and creative activations, all celebrating the summer solstice alongside access to our major exhibition The Sun and The Moon: Art Inspired by the Celestial. 

Your ticket includes:

• Performances, workshops and creative activations
• Themed drinks and refreshments on offer
• Entry to The Sun and The Moon: Art Inspired by the Celestial
• Entry to all current Ground Floor shows

What’s on Offer: 

Friday 19 June (6.30pm – 9pm)

• Solstice Straw Workshop: led by the Gallery Learning team and artist Lucy Hook-Child, drawing inspiration from the traditional folkloric craft of sun wheel patterning. Lucy has a BA (Hons) in 3D Design Crafts and is a member of Straw Craftsmen. She has been researching and working with straw since 2023 after discovering that Corn Dolly Making and Straw Work are on the Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts.
• Performance by artist Bryony Ella: Stand of the Sun – a solstice ritual for the melting metropolis – is a unique storytelling experience emerging out of My Body is a Sundial, the artist’s sculptural work on display as part of The Sun and The Moon. Written and directed by Bryony Ella, the event features a live performance by Alleyne Dance, lighting by Rachel Sampley and a musical score composed by Bumi Thomas

Saturday 20 June

• 8.30am – 9.30am: Morning yoga – gentle invigoration with sun salutations and an energising flow. Arranged in collaboration with Varley, who are generously providing participants with yoga mats for grip, cushioning, and comfort throughout the session plus a gift bag to take home
• 9.30am – 11am: Coffee break to refuel and recharge with Redemption Roasters
• Throughout the afternoon: Performances and activations centred around celebrating the sun and its life-giving power
• 6.15pm – 7pm: Sound bath with Aesop – Alis Rocca of Arise Wellbeing will host a sound bath session with higher-frequency crystal tones to celebrate peak light. The experience will feature aromatic Aesop formulations to enhance luminosity, replenish the skin and uplift the senses

Sunday 21 June

• 8.30am – 9.30am: Morning yoga, gentle invigoration with sun salutations and an energising flow. Arranged in collaboration with Varley, who are generously providing participants with yoga mats for grip, cushioning, and comfort throughout the session plus a gift bag to take home
• 9.30am – 11am: Coffee break to refuel and recharge with Redemption Roasters
• 2.30pm (Sun Rising gallery – room 2): Solstice Ritual – A special performance to celebrate the summer solstice, adapting time-honoured seasonal rituals to a contemporary setting. You are invited to bring a stone or token offering to co-create a spontaneous altar, and to participate as much as you’d like. The ceremony is led by the poet-playwright-ritualist John Constable (aka Crow) who evolved his magical practice at London’s Crossbones Graveyard, and has conducted rituals at festivals and sacred sites worldwide: visit crossbones.org.uk to learn more. Suitable for all – children must be accompanied.
• Throughout the afternoon: Drop-in tarot artist offering readings to curious participants
• 6.15pm – 7pm: Sound bath with Aesop – Alis Rocca of Arise Wellbeing will host a sound bath session with grounding, earth-toned Gongs and Himalayan bowls to honour the solstice. The experience will feature aromatic Aesop formulations to enhance luminosity, replenish the skin and uplift the senses.

Activities and offerings are subject to change. More updates coming soon. Book your ticket now to avoid disappointment!