Learning

28th April – 4th May

Open age is a charity that champions an active life for older people. They work across Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham to enable anyone aged 50 or older to sustain their physical and mental fitness, maintain an active lifestyle and develop new and stimulating interests. With this exhibition, Open Age continues its partnership with Saatchi Gallery and invited their participants to respond to our current major exhibition Flowers: Flora in Contemporary Art and Culture through a series of workshops with the Saatchi Gallery Learning Department.

Several of the artists in Flowers: Flora in Contemporary Art and Culture gained their most significant recognition later in life. Margaret Mellis was in her mid-sixties when she began assembling some pieces of driftwood into an ad hoc sculpture. This was the beginning of what turned out to be a new phase in her art. Christo’s most ambitious projects such as Wrapped Reichstag and The Gates were not completed until he was in his sixties. Susan Beech, Mary Fedden, and Winifred Nicholson also gained greater appreciation for their work later in life.

We asked Open Age participants to take inspiration from each section of the exhibition to further their own artistic practice.

27 March – 25 April 2025

The Photojournalism Hub is delighted to present ‘POSSIBILITIES’, a documentary photography and photojournalism exhibition showcasing the work of young and older participants from our Documentary Photography Workshops.

‘POSSIBILITIES’ is an exhibition about resilience, change, transformation, and hope. It explores the vast possibilities that humankind faces, namely opportunities for change, resistance, and survival in an era defined by uncertainty and adversity. From global crises to personal struggles, our participants have turned their lenses toward moments of strength, renewal, and the potential for a better future.

Throughout this journey, young people and adults alike have sought to capture the essence of possibility in their stories. Whether documenting acts of kindness, resistance, resilience or change in times of hardship, uncovering overlooked narratives of courage, or revealing personal and collective struggles, their work offers a profound and thought-provoking window into the human experience.

This exhibition is more than just a display of photographs; it is an invitation to reflect, engage, and question. It urges us to look closer to step into the stories being told, and to consider the ways in which we, too, can embrace the possibilities that shape our world.

We invite you to visit ‘POSSIBILITIES’ as we celebrate the power of documentary photography to inspire change, amplify voices, and create new pathways for understanding and action.

‘POSSIBILITIES’ is curated by Cinzia D’Ambrosi, award-winning documentary photographer and founder of the Photojournalism Hub. The exhibition is structured as a journey. Visitors will navigate the gallery, encountering four thematic walls that frame the experience: Resistance, Resilience, Change, and Hope.

 “I wanted the viewer to feel that despite living in dark times, there are always choices that enable change and positive outcomes.” says Cinzia D’Ambrosi.

The photographers of ‘POSSIBILITIES’ are  Amy Daintree, Areti Nikou, Avril Gabbay, Denni Rose, Earl Matthew, Ella Khalek, Filippo Mainella, Francesca Nieves Martin, Maria Speller, Rebecca Stella, Roberta Faccio, Roberta Mitchell, Roberto Simone, Selma Nicholls, Sienna Sunna, Sól, Steven Okonkwo.

Photojournalism Hub is a West London community interest company dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through documentary photography. We provide training, portfolio development, and opportunities for print publication and exhibitions. Our projects foster personal growth, social connections, and community cohesion while amplifying voices and creating pathways to employment and further education.

www.photojournalismhub.org / @photojournalism_hub

25 Februrary – 24 March 2025

This exhibition showcases the process and outcomes of a series of workshops held at Ickburgh School in Hackney during the Autumn term of 2024, led by the Saatchi Gallery Learning Team.

Navigating a range of educational challenges, each young artist featured here has developed a unique and powerful response to the artistic materials and techniques explored in these sessions. From printmaking to abstract painting, students at Ickburgh School embraced new creative mediums, expressing their emotions and imagination through both tactile and visual forms.

Through off-site workshops for SEND students across London — including the talented young artists at Ickburgh School — the Saatchi Gallery Learning Team is committed to fostering inclusion and providing meaningful opportunities for people with learning disabilities to engage with the arts.

A Message from Ickburgh School

“Ickburgh School, based in the London Borough of Hackney, provides specialised education for students aged 4–19 with a focus on neurodiverse learning. Saatchi Gallery’s workshops have been invaluable to our students, many of whom are unable to visit the gallery in person. This project has enriched their experiences and boosted their confidence. Having their work exhibited at Saatchi Gallery is an extraordinary opportunity to educate and celebrate neurodiversity through the powerful medium of art.” — Maria Escribano, Art Teacher, Ickburgh School

11th Feburary – 23rd Feburary 2025

“The wound is the place where the light enters you.” — Rumi

Where the Light Enters is the outcome of a series of workshops held with residents of St Mungo’s and Saatchi Gallery Learning. This exhibition showcases the artwork created by participants in response to various prompts and themes. Art is a powerful tool for expression, but it is also an invitation to listen. Through listening, we gain a deeper understanding, and through understanding, we can change the world around us.

The artists in this exhibition have navigated numerous challenges, yet the works presented here reflect shared human experiences. Whether through painting, poetry, or sculpture, each piece represents a moment of personal reflection and expression. Together, these works speak to universal themes of resilience, healing, and connection.

About St Mungo’s

St Mungo’s works directly with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, helping them build paths away from homelessness for good. Their services are tailored to meet clients wherever they are in their journey—whether through rough sleeping support, emergency accommodation, assistance in finding long-term housing, or providing skills and training to help individuals secure meaningful employment.

Last Year alone, St Mungo’s supported more than 28,000 people across 160 services, offering practical aid and creating opportunities for stability and independence.

In addition to direct support, St Mungo’s is dedicated to influencing systemic change. By amplifying the voices of their clients and applying their operational expertise, they work to influence policymakers and address the root causes of homelessness. This exhibition stands as a testament to their belief in the power of creativity, advocacy, and the human spirit to inspire transformation.

23^rd April – 30^th April 2024 

Open to ticket holders of Edward Burtynsky: Extraction / Abstraction only

Open age is a charity that champions an active life for older people. They work across Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham to enable anyone aged 50 or older to sustain their physical and mental fitness, maintain an active lifestyle and develop new and stimulating interests. With this exhibition, Open Age continues its partnership with Saatchi Gallery and invited their participants to respond to the brief is Changing Landscapes which responds to our current major exhibition BURTYNSKY: EXTRACTION / ABSTRACTION. 

Edward Burtynsky says: “I have spent over 40 years bearing witness to the ways in which modern civilization has dramatically transformed our planet.” 

We asked Open Age participants to contemplate changes in the environment around them over the years.  

Saatchi Gallery Learning team ran a series of workshops on the above themed to Open Age groups across the three boroughs to inspire submissions. 

On View 18th March-19th April.

Open to ticket holders of Edward Burtynsky: Extraction / Abstraction only

Local children have been inspired by ‘Neighbourhood Nature’ as part of Cadogan’s Chelsea Young Artists Competition, which encouraged children to take a closer look at the flora and fauna found in the gardens, parks and green spaces of Chelsea.

The Chelsea Young Artists Competition provided children with the opportunity to spend time rediscovering local wildlife. Organised by Cadogan, the ‘Neighbourhood Nature’ theme encouraged children to take a closer look at the flora and fauna found in the gardens, parks and green spaces of Chelsea.

The winning artworks have been on display in the top floor restaurant of Peter Jones, and now all winning and highly commended entries will be displayed in the Learning Room at Saatchi Gallery from 18th March-19th April.

The competition was designed to encourage children to connect with the natural spaces and the surprising amount of biodiversity to be found in our urban environment – making the most of the positive link between time spent in nature and improved mental health.

Participating school children were encouraged to visit two recently rewilded pocket forests on Pont Street and Chelsea Square, as well as other local green spaces, creating artwork inspired by their experience. The spectacular results were grouped by age into five categories, with the entries assessed by a panel of expert judges from Cadgoan, Saatchi, Pater Jones and SUGi.

Almost every young artist who entered the competition took a different approach, from delicate pencil sketches to bold, abstract collages. Prowling foxes, delicate root systems, leafy trees and parks at midnight… each student found something new to inspire their artwork.

Mrs Kathryn Gutteridge, Art Teacher at Hill House International Junior School: “The art competition was an excellent way of linking the children in [with rewilding sites] emotionally, and appreciating nature in our neighbourhood area. It was also a real stimulus to our art programme.”

On view: 17th Feb until 14th March.
Open to ticket holders of Burtynsky Extraction / Abstraction

The arts have a profound impact on mental health and quality of life. Therefore, this project celebrated and promoted the arts among the older generation of RBKC in collaboration with Age UK K&C, by hosting a series of 10 tours and workshops themed around our recent Season of Sculpture exhibitions which included IF NOT NOW, WHEN? Generations of Women in Sculpture in Britain 1960-2023 and CHRISTO AND JEANNE-CLAUDE: BOUNDLESS. The sessions were specifically aimed at those with dementia as studies have shown that art therapy activities even help boost cognitive function in various areas of the brain and enhance communication, brain function and social interaction in people with dementia.

Here are some quotes from some of the participants:

A lovely social time learning new skills with great materials & wonderful tutors – Conchita

Staff were/are very helpful and I learnt a lot attending the sessions, so loved them. – Meng Lim

Something unique and different to do. – Frank

 On view – 11th – 21st January

Residents of the Sutton estate, some of whom have lived on the estate or in the surrounding area for many years, have shared their memories and experiences of life in Chelsea as well as their hopes for the future of the estate.

On view: 18 November– 4 January
Open to ticket holders of If Not Now When only

This exhibition is the final of the series. Previously, the work of the Collective has been shown in Pimlico, Paddington, Church Steet, and Westminster Reference libraries. A selection of these artworks was showcased at Whiteley’s ‘Window on the World’ and displayed at Westminster City Hall throughout 2023. The public was able to vote for their favorite artwork, which you can find in this exhibition at The Saatchi Gallery.

Open to ticket holders of Civilization: The Way We Live Now

Over the past 4 months we have worked with around 4,000 participants inviting them to take part in tours and workshops, onsite, offsite, online, and even by phone, to connect as many as possible with our current major exhibition Civilization: The Way We Live Now. This exhibition showcases some of the amazing work that has been made during workshops with these talented groups.

On view: 1 – 31 August

Open to ticket holders of Civilization: The Way We Live Now only

The RENA Initiative exists to Recognise, Empower, & Nurture Artists. Founded by visual artist Mellezia, this social enterprise is committed to fostering visibility & amplifying the voices of underserved & marginalised communities.

The artworks featured in this exhibition were painted by participants of ‘The RENA Initiative presents: The WoWC (Women of White City)’ project, who range in age from nine to eighty-eight years old. By providing a safe space for connection & self-expression, this project empowers the intergenerational participants to make new friends, feel visible & valued, improve their mental well-being, & share their life stories through the medium of painting.

Through art, The RENA Initiative is creating a world where all people are valued, empowered, & connected. To learn more, visit www.therenainitiative.com

On view: 3 – 31 July

Open to ticket holders of Civilization: The Way We Live Now only

Inside Stories is a series of short video diptychs co-created with prisoners at HMP Liverpool, HMP Styal, and Feltham Young Offender Institution. This project focuses on collaboratively and empathetically representing the lived experiences of prison learners.

On view: 6 June – 29 June

Open to ticket holders of Civilization: The Way We Live Now only

The arts have a profound impact on mental health and quality of life. Therefore, this project celebrated and promoted the arts among the older generation of RBKC in collaboration with Age UK K&C, by hosting a series of 12 tours and workshops of our recent street art exhibition Beyond The Streets for them. The sessions were specifically aimed at those with dementia as studies have shown that art therapy activities even help boost cognitive function in various areas of the brain and enhance communication, brain function and social interaction in people with dementia.

Here are some quotes from some of the participants:

“The course was enjoyable, fun, exciting, entertaining, and I would recommend it. The teacher is friendly, approachable, and welcoming.”

“The best exhibition ever in the Saatchi Gallery.”

“Awesome, encouraging, inclusive, more please.”

On view: 14 April – 9 May

Open to ticket holders of Beyond the Streets London

An exhibition of artwork by children and young people from schools and community groups, as well as members of the public, who joined us for free tours and workshops inspired by Beyond The Streets exhibition at Saatchi Gallery.

On view: 1- 31 March

CHILD OF announces partnership with Saatchi Gallery Learning Programme to create charity project inspired by Beyond the Streets Exhibition

Through the power of art, Child Of and Saatchi Gallery Learning department will use real-life stories of addiction to inspire artworks illustrating the value of shared experience whilst being a solution to providing art opportunities and educational recourse for victims of addiction.

On View: 20 – 24 February

We invited members of Open Age to create an artwork of any medium responding to the brief, Exploring Identities. Our Learning Department ran a series of workshops in Open Age centres and at the Saatchi Gallery to help older participants get inspired by the our most recent exhibition The New Black Vanguard and reflect on the idea of identity and on what that means to them.

Workshops included Poetry Writing; Fashion Magazine Cover Designing and Recreating Paintings.

In 2022 Trellick Tower turned 50 and as part of the celebration we invited Graffiti artists to create blackbook sketches inspired by the iconic tower and its architect, Ernő Goldfinger. This exhibition showcases some of those works and is a visual representation of the bond between Graffiti and Trellick Tower and the strength of feeling artists have for this London landmark.

An exhibition of artwork by children and young people from schools and community groups, who joined us for free tours and workshops inspired by The New Black Vanguard exhibited at Saatchi Gallery.

On view: 21 October – 29 November
Admission: Free. Appointment only.

This exhibition is the final location in a series of exhibitions that have taken place across Westminster Libraries.

Finishing here at the Saatchi Gallery, The Creative Collective was established by Westminster Council’s City Lions and Children’s Services, to share and celebrate the creativity of Westminster’s young people and showcase their artistic talent, enabling them to use their creativity as a tool for communication.

On view: 3 – 22 September 2022, appointment only

To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, our Learning team worked with Saatchi Gallery exhibited street artist, Pure Eliv (Charles Uzzell Edwards).

We invited families from all over London to contribute to a 9 meter long collaborative drawing using a range of different materials.

Presented in collaboration with Duke of York Square as part of King’s Road Jubilee Street Party.

Open to ticket holders of ‘Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair’ and by appointment only

4 March – 29 April 2022

“Catharsis” is simple in its concept – everyone is invited to write or draw their thoughts, memories and/or emotions about the ongoing global Covid 19 pandemic. The participant is then encouraged to alter the shape of the paper to reflect their feelings. This is a cathartic exercise that is completely anonymous. Each piece of paper will unite with a mass of others. The paper will be dipped and fired in porcelain paper clay to represent the fragility of the times we live in.

Admission: Bob Marley ticket holders

1 – 31 December 2021

Child Of uses real-life stories of addiction to inspire artworks, illustrating the value of sharing your experience through the power of art.

Admission: London Grads NOW.21 ticket holders

17 – 30 November 2021

St Peter’s Eaton Square Church of England School visited the Saatchi Gallery in September. The children learnt about JR’s work with a guided tour of his Chronicles exhibition, followed by a workshop exploring themes in the exhibition and portrait photography.

Admission: London Grads NOW.21 ticket holders

20 Sept – 3 Oct 2021 (Oct 3rd closing event SILVER SUNDAY 12-4pm)

Open age continues its partnership with Saatchi Gallery with a community exhibition in our Learning Gallery. The exhibition open brief was ‘WRINKLES IN THE CITY’ responding directly to our current exhibition JR: Chronicles.

Admission: JR: CHRONICLES ticket holders

2-20 SEPTEMBER 2021

Our latest exhibition celebrates the work of Accumulate members who were invited to take part in a creative collage workshop with London portrait photographer Kit Oates. In the workshop they learnt collage techniques and developed ideas around the themes of identity and responding to the JR:Chronicles exhibition.

Admission: JR: CHRONICLES ticket holders

This exhibition is one of a series of five exhibitions taking place across Westminster Libraries and the Saatchi Gallery and showcases the work of the Westminster Creative Collective. The exhibition celebrates the creativity of young people in the borough, providing them with a chance to reflect, share and mark the significant events of the past year.

Artwork was created in different forms to communicate and express their feelings and opinions. The artworks within this exhibition explore four themes:

• Lockdown
• Resilience and hope
• Community
• Black Lives Matter

Title: Creating with Dementia Workshop for Dementia Action Week 2021
Project: To mark National Dementia Action Week 2021, Saatchi Gallery Learning teamed up with our friends at Creating with Dementia for a photography project to enhance dementia awareness and celebrate those living with dementia, both directly and in supporting roles. Inspired by the work of artist JR, we invited a group of people with dementia, carers and allies to visit the gallery. Referencing JR’s practice of using portrait photography and oral testimonies to create awareness of communities and issues around the world, participants were photographed by project artist Kit Oates and we conducted short interviews to find out a little about each of them.

Title: Sparked
Project: Aesthesia; from a programme of exploration of Queer British South Asian heritage

Project: Aesthesia; from a programme of exploration of Queer British South Asian heritage

Title: In My Element
Project: Arts project exploring purpose, motivation and creativity with care leavers

Title: In My Element
Project: Arts project exploring purpose, motivation and creativity with care leavers

Title: Rich Vs Poor/ Reflective Landscape
Project: Art Explosion; winning entries from children and young people with a lifelong learning difficulty and/or disability

Title: Rich Vs Poor
Project: Art Explosion; winning entries from children and young people with a lifelong learning difficulty and/or disability

Title: Mask Art Prize
Project: The MASK Prize; a unique pan-African competition, which encourages and celebrates the creativity of young Africans

Title: Mask Art Prize
Project: The MASK Prize; a unique pan-African competition, which encourages and celebrates the creativity of young Africans

Project: Annual Student Exhibition; to celebrate student artwork

Project: Annual Student Exhibition; to celebrate student artwork

Title: In My Element
Project: Arts project exploring purpose, motivation and creativity with care leavers

Project: Annual Student Exhibition; to celebrate student artwork