As we wrap up 2025, our final bulletin is packed with exciting news! We’re shining a spotlight on upcoming workshops and exhibitions and giving you a last chance to catch those closing soon.
School workshops:
All Fired Up!
Aberdeen Art Gallery is thrilled to launch a brand new, free school workshop starting after the Christmas break! Discover patterns and pottery at Aberdeen Art Gallery by stepping into All Fired Up, our interactive ceramics exhibition featuring over 180 beautiful pieces created by artist-potters. This unique collection is designed for hands-on exploration as every item can be touched and experienced up close! In this workshop, your pupils will:
Explore maths through patterns – spot shapes and sequences in ceramic designs and connect them to patterns we see every day.
Learn the art of careful handling – discover what it takes to look after delicate artworks and why care matters.
We have 5 free workshops for up to 33 pupils working at second level and above. The workshops will run from 10:00am-11:45am on the following Wednesday mornings:
21 January
28 January
11 March
22 April
29 April
Please email us at AAGMLearning@aberdeencity.gov.uk to book a workshop.
Coming soon!
After the Easter break, we will be launching two exciting school workshops:
✨ Cabaret Mechanical – Dive into the fascinating world of moving sculptures and ingenious design.
🔬 Science in Your World – Discover the science behind everyday life in fun, hands-on ways!
Keep an eye out on our next school bulletin in March or email us on AAGMLearning@aberdeencity.gov.uk for more information.
Self-guided visits: explore at your own pace!
Your class is welcome to visit the Art Gallery or Maritime Museum anytime for a self-guided adventure. It’s a brilliant way to spark curiosity and connect learners with our inspiring collections while uncovering stories of creativity, local heritage and the remarkable people of the Northeast who shaped Aberdeen and beyond.
Planning is simple! Head to Schools | Aberdeen City Council for all the details and download our easy-to-use guide packed with tips to make your visit unforgettable.
Remember, Provost Skene’s House has new seasonal opening hours and is currently closed until 28 March 2026.
Exhibitions:
The Mary, Queen of Scots Casket
Aberdeen Art Gallery
Item on display until 19 April 2026
Currently on loan from the National Museum Scotland, this beautiful casket is one of Scotland’s most treasured objects. For hundreds of years, people have linked it to Mary, Queen of Scots, making it a fascinating piece of history to explore. This unique display offers rich learning opportunities across the curriculum: younger learners can explore Scottish kings and queens, symbolism in art and life in the past, while older students can connect the casket to themes such as the Scottish Reformation, monarchy and Mary’s dramatic story. It’s an inspiring way to deepen understanding of history, art and culture, and to spark curiosity through real-world connections.
New Exhibition!
Gray’s School of Art: 140 Years - Never make a head bigger than a melon
Aberdeen Art Gallery
22 November 2025 -12 April 2026
This exhibition at Aberdeen Art Gallery marks 140 years of Gray’s School of Art, tracing its journey from 19th-century roots to its role in today’s creative world. Using the 1966 move from Schoolhill to Garthdee as a lens, it explores changes in studio practice, teaching and artistic relationships across generations. Visitors can see works by influential artist-educators like James Cowie, Joyce Cairns and Frances Walker, alongside pieces by current staff and alumni.
Primary pupils can discover how art has evolved and create their own works inspired by colours, shapes and stories, while exploring Aberdeen’s local history. Secondary students can link the exhibition to Art & Design, History and Modern Studies, examining cultural shifts, debating the future of art education and using the show as inspiration for portfolios.
