'Once Upon A Playground' Exhibition - 25 July Public Viewing

This interactive exhibition explores themes of play, nostalgia, and collaboration through multidisciplinary art. Come build a blanket fort!

About this Event

Have you ever built a blanket fort as a child? Do you remember the last time you played on a playground as a kid?

ONCE UPON A PLAYGROUND is an interactive exhibition that explores themes of play, nostalgia, and collaboration through the works of 14 multidisciplinary artists. An 18+ event, visitors are encouraged to explore, play, build, and reflect in this child-free space. On opening night, visitors will help build a 'Blanket Fort' sculpture made from repurposed children’s playground equipment and textiles. Once the blanket fort is completed, artist Marie Autratova will lead a "Storytime Hour" reading exhibited artists' favorite children's books to visitors inside the cozy sculpture. Visitors are encouraged to play with interactive sculptures and partake in a 'Letter to Younger Self' reflective activity facilitated by artist Stewart Campbell. Come along, embrace your inner child, and who knows, maybe you'll even make a new friend on the playground!

FEATURED ARTISTS: Aisling Smith, El Tilley, Emilia Evans-Munton, Esther Stone, Evelyn Jade Green, Grace Ren, Limbowe/Lucy Martin, Lucia Vera Rosa, Lucy Wilcox, Matthew Kriske, Marie Autratova, Noru Innes, Stewart Campbell and Suijin Park

CURATOR: Kelsey Cronin is a curator and producer from Sandwich, Massachusetts, USA. This exhibition is Cronin's Final Master's Project on the M.Litt Curatorial Practice (Contemporary Art) Program at the Glasgow School of Art/University of Glasgow. www.linkedin.com/in/kelseycronin23

Instagram: kelseycronin__

GRAPHIC DESIGN: Lucy Wilcox and Danielle Nelson

OPENING NIGHT: July 24 from 5 - 8 pm (seperate eventbrite link) https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/once-upon-a-playground-exhibition-july-24-25-2025-tickets-1464895394559?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1

PUBLIC VIEWING: July 25 from 10 am - 6 pm

LOCATION: Glasgow School of Art, Barnes Building, 9 West Graham Street, Glasgow G3, Scotland (Garage Gallery).

18+ EVENT: As there are so few spaces or opportunities as adults to 'play' without children present!

*****TICKETS are FREE, but required to enter the building/exhibition!********

If you are NOT a student or staff member at GSA, please reserve your ticket here. At the building entrance, you will give your name and show your ticket to an invigilator who will let you in the exhibition.

ACCESSIBILITY: Unfortunately, this is not a wheelchair accessible venue. There are several stairs into the Barnes Building and additional steps down into the Garage Gallery. If you have any further questions or accessibility requirements, please email a2Vsc2V5Y3JvbmluMjMgfCBnbWFpbCAhIGNvbQ==

HEALTH & SAFETY: If you are sick or have COVID-19, please consider not attending or wearing a mask indoors.

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