After a successful funding application to GWR, we planned free drawing workshops for the public at Guildford Station on the North Downs Line. This was part of the Big Draw Festival 2025 and a celebration of Railway 200, with a spooky theme for Halloween. No experience was necessary and all materials were provided. The aims were to engage with the public in a creative way in an unlikely location; to develop connections with Lightbox Gallery in Woking; and to work with a professional artist supplied by them in a location outside the gallery at a busy railway station. We also aimed to engage the public with Railway 2oo and the history of the railways at Guildford.
On the day, two areas were set up for drop-in workshops: one in a small room loaned by Network Rail (their conference room) which was warm and meant people could stay longer and spend plenty of time drawing; and, secondly, in the ticket office concourse at the main entrance to Guildford Station, Here a table was set up with drawing materials, inspiration and a badgemaking machine, to engage with the public as they came through.
The artist, SCRP staff and volunteers from Arts Society Wey Valley Guildford, worked to engage the public travelling through the station and also those that had seen the event promoted around Guildford and on Facebook. The workshops, both drawing and badgemaking, were free, open to all ages with materials provided. We included references to the SCRP Blue Plaque project alongside historical photographs of Guildford Station.
A good number of people attended the event with several who had seen prior advertising and came especially. It was half-term week so quite a few children attended.
It was busy in the morning with around a hundred people stopping to take part in the event or people visiting because they had found out about the event beforehand. A few parents came with children as part of a planned activity for half-term week.
Having a professional artist facilitator was really helpful and people felt they were engaging with a real artist. She had also prepared well and inspired people with her own drawings.
In the afternoon it was much quieter. Probably because it was Halloween and people were engaged elsewhere. We moved all the activity to the station booking concourse area so that everyone could benefit from the artist facilitator. It got cold but there was still enthusiasm for the event.
This made our visit memorable in an unexpected place. A lovely way to be curious and creative.
Really enjoyed drawing and making my lovely badge!
Really lovely and very friendly. Girls really enjoyed; so impressed!
Wonderful initiative!