National Drawing Day 2025

Butler Gallery invites you to join us for National Drawing Day for a series of free family friendly events with activities for all ages and artistic abilities.

National Drawing Day is an annual celebration of drawing and creativity which is an initiative of the National Gallery of Ireland and is co-hosted by dozens of partner venues around the island of Ireland.

This year our theme for National Drawing Day is Lines of Heritage and we will be hosting a variety of activities in our galleries, Learning Centre and gardens for all ages. Please see list below for details of our free drop-in workshops.

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Time: 10.00am-11.30am

Autism Friendly morning and drawing - Location: Learning Centre at Butler Gallery.

• Butler Gallery is excited to offer a special Autism-Friendly Morning, designed to provide a welcoming, inclusive, and sensory-sensitive environment. This morning will feature a unique drawing exercise inspired by works from the gallery's permanent collection, encouraging participants to engage with art in a creative, tactile way. All are welcome to join in this thoughtful and inclusive experience!

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Times: 12.00pm - 4.00pm | All materials provided | Free Drop-in

Plein Air Painting Workshop - Location: Butler Gallery Gardens.

• Artist Jade Butler will guide participants through observational drawing and painting looking at the architecture and surroundings of Butler Gallery. Suitable for Adults and Teens

3D City Building and Drawing – Location: Learning Centre at Butler Gallery.

• Artist Rachel Burke will host a 3D cardboard model building workshop for children to create their own vision of Kilkenny City. Suitable for 5-12 years

MonoPrint Observation Drawing – Location: Front Garden at Butler Gallery.

• Monoprint or 'invisible observation' drawings focusing on the site of Butler Gallery using home made carbon paper and drawing with a stylus. Suitable for all ages

Early Years Sensory Play and Making – Location: Gardens at Butler Gallery.

• A drop in workshop geared towards an Early Years audience. Working with the theme of heritage the workshop will focus on play and making using natural materials. Suitable for ages 1-5 years

Giant Collaborative Chalk Drawing Workshop- Location: Front Plaza at Butler Gallery.

• Following the theme of heritage and site we invite all visitors to take part in a large scale drawing exercise in the Front Plaza of the Butler Gallery where participants will collaborate to create a monumental drawing using chalk. Suitable for all ages

Draw the Collection – Location: Collection Gallery 3&4 at Butler Gallery.

• Learn historical drawing techniques from our artist facilitators while exploring the gallery's permanent collection. Suitable for all ages

This project is funded by the Kilkenny Creative Ireland Programme 2025.