Summer School Family Workshop: Speaking with Clay with Vanessa Donoso López

This is a free event, booking essential as spaces are limited. Please book a space per child. Parents/ guardians do not need to book.

Together, parents and children will create their own 21st Century Cylinder Seal using plaster cylinders and a variety of carving tools. Once finished, each seal will be rolled over soft clay to leave a unique impression—just like people did over 5,000 years ago.This is a fun and tactile way to connect with some of the world's earliest technologies—writing, the wheel, and image-making.

Cylinder seals were among the first tools used to tell stories, sign documents, and mark belongings. By making your own, you’ll get a glimpse into how these small objects once played a big role in society—and discover how making art by hand deepens our connection to history, creativity, and one another.

Family friendly event, no experience is necessary. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Confirmation of attendance will be requested closer to the time.

Vanessa Donoso López’s work unfolds through making installations that look at cross-cultural identity, migration and the elements emerging from the inhabited space. She uses a variety of processes, including archaeological experimentation, collaborative clay sourcing, drawing, and conversations around repetitive object making.

Event location information: The workshop will take place in the street-facing gallery space at Temple Bar Gallery + Studios, with access to a semi-accessible bathroom. For further access information, please contact TBG+S Learning + Public Engagement Curator Órla Goodwin.

This event is part of Summer School 2025, a four-day programme where the Gallery is dedicated to artistic activity, workshops and conversation. Click here to explore more events.