Little VISUAL Early Years Workshops

What to Expect

Little VISUAL is a weekly early years workshop series at VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art, aimed at children aged 1 to 4 and the adult who brings them. Artist Marian Balfe leads each session, which combines a short exploration of the current gallery exhibitions with a hands-on sensory or messy-play activity back in the studio space. Over the course of the run, activities include monoprinting, play dough, sensory bags and boxes, and wildflower mandalas, so no two Thursdays are quite the same. The sessions are deliberately unstructured for children this age - there is no expectation of finished artwork, and the point is exposure to colour, texture and gallery spaces rather than a formal art class. VISUAL is Carlow’s main contemporary art gallery and also houses the George Bernard Shaw Theatre, so families often combine the workshop with a wander through whatever exhibition is currently showing.

Good to Know

• Every Thursday, 6 August to 24 September 2026, 10:00am to 11:00am.
• Venue: VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art, Old Dublin Road, Carlow.
• €5 per child, which includes one accompanying adult; each child needs a valid ticket booked in advance.
• Book online through the VISUAL box office ticketing system, by phone on 059 917 2400, or in person; groups of more than 8 or wheelchair users should book directly with the box office.
• Dress children in messy-friendly clothes, as sessions involve paint, dough and other sensory materials.
• Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, so let the box office know in advance if you cannot attend, to free the place for someone else.

Getting There

VISUAL is on the Old Dublin Road on the grounds of Carlow College, a short walk from Carlow town centre. On-site car parking is available for visitors attending workshops.