This is a sponsored article on behalf of National Art Pass with Art Fund.
So you want to get out and see some great exhibitions but aren’t sure where to go? Maybe you’re thinking about visiting some places you’ve never been before? But where and is it possible to tie in a few venues together in a single day?
Not to worry, the National Art Pass with Art Fund has got you covered with a full day of visiting galleries and museums all planned. We’ve even picked a few places where you can stop for a bite to eat or grab a drink throughout the day.
Let’s get art-ing.
We'll start the day at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Before heading into the gallery it's best to take advantage of their cafe by grabbing a morning tea or coffee, and some of their delicious cakes and pastries.
Moomins
Then we get the art day going with a childhood flash back to the Moomins — who doesn’t love these surreal, hippo-like creatures? They were the brainchild of artist Tove Jansson. But Jansson created far more work than just these lovable creatures, including illustrations of the Swedish version of Lord of the Rings and she painted some superb portraits.
There's plenty here for fans of the Moomins but also for those who want to know more about the wider work and life of the talented artist Tove Jansson.
Having a National Art Pass gives you half price off the exhibition ticket and also free entry to the amazing permanent collection which is filled with fabulous Old Master paintings by greats such as Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto.
Tove Jansson (1914-2001) at Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, SE21 7AD. Standard admission to the permanent collection is £8, free with the National Art Pass. Standard admission to the exhibition is £15.50, £7 with the National Art Pass.
After we're done we jump on the number 12 bus and head to ...
An Explosion of Colour
The South London Gallery has been assailed with paint by artist Katharina Grosse. It was painted all white and then sections were covered before the paint explosion happened. The result is splashes of intense colour along the walls and up the ceilings, next to brilliant white emptiness.
It's spectacularly trippy to stand in the vast space and see such contrasts. How to make use of the large space is completely up to each visitor — we've seen children playing and friends sitting down having conversations. It's both a visually stunning and thoughtful exhibition on the nature of painting is, and it's easy to get lost in this meditative show.
If the weather's nice then head outside round the back of the gallery to have a look at the beautiful garden designed by artist Gabriel Orozco, created with support from Art Fund. You can also get 10% off in the shop with a National Art Pass which is filled with a fascinating selection of art books.
Having hit up two exhibitions it’s the perfect time for a pit stop to re-fuel. Luckily the South London Gallery has a fantastic café, which is perfect for a relaxed brunch or lunch.
South London Gallery, 65-67 Peckham Road, London, SE5 8UH. Standard admission is free to all. 10% discount on all shop purchases at South London Gallery with the National Art Pass
Now that we're re-fuelled it's time to jump back on the bus and grab the 12 or 171 to get to ...
War and Terror
We're massive fans of IWM London. If you’ve not been since their major refit in 2014 the World War One galleries have been completely revamped and offer fantastic insights into that conflict including a recreation of a trench to explore and a forensic look at the sacrifice of soldiers from the commonwealth — an often-overlooked aspect of this pivotal conflict.
The blockbuster Autumn exhibition looks at how art has changed since 9/11 and how artists have dealt with the modern age of war and how we all feel closer to it now that the Internet and social media have made the world a smaller place. Your National Art Pass will get you half-price entry to this powerful exhibition.
It’s not a show for the faint hearted but it’s an important example of how art retains its relevance today and it’s a show that deals with big issues that stick in our memories long after visiting the show. We’ve left this until last to allow you plenty of time to spend in this exhibition and let the gravity of the works sink in.
This is an exhibition you'll want to mull over after. And Three Stags is a good place to do that: it's three minutes' walk from IWM London, with a decent array of beers and some quiet corner tables to nurse a drink and reflect on the works you've just visited. While they also have a good food menu, a short walk towards Waterloo will give you refuelling options including tacos from Wahaca and some of London's best pub fare at The Anchor & Hope.
Age of Terror: Art Since 9/11 at IWM London, Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ. Standard admission to the permanent collection is free. Standard admission to the exhibition is £15, £7.50 with the National Art Pass.
These are just a small sample of excellent galleries, museums and exhibitions you may access with a National Art Pass. Buy your annual membership today for just £65.
