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Dorich House Museum
Community, Events, Students
3 – 12 December 2026

Winter Weekends 2026

A room with large expansive windows along one wall with a row of tables displaying various craftworks. On the left hand side of the room is a raised platform with tall narrow windows behind it. In the corner, on the raised platform, is a decorated Christmas tree.

Thursday 3 December – Saturday 12 December

Our annual Winter Weekend programme will take place across two weekends from Thursday 3 December until Saturday 12 December with exciting performances, talks and creative workshops.

In addition to the exhibition of ceramic works by Olga Siruk and Anna Milgrom which will run from Thursday 26 November to Saturday 19 December, we will also be hosting Kingston Artists Open Studio for a pop up market in our first floor modelling studio.  Twelve artists from the network will be selling their work with items ranging from paintings, Christmas cards and handmade notebooks to glass works and ceramics. The perfect opportunity to buy some unique Christmas presents.

 

Christmas Music Concert with Kingston University Music Students
Thursday 3 December | 1pm – 2pm | Free/Drop-in

We will be joined by the talented music students from Kingston University for a lunchtime concert with a set list of songs ranging from classical to pop including an assortment of Christmas songs. Featuring instruments and vocals, this is the perfect afternoon activity to get you into the festive spirit.

 

The book cover of The Story of Synko-Filipko and Other Russian Folk Tales showing a child reaching up towards a white bird.

A Morning of Russian Folktales, Friendship and Performance
Friday 4 December | 11am – 12:30pm | Book here

Art historian Dr Louise Hardiman will tell the story of the friendship between 19th-century Russian artist and designer, Elena Polenova, and the English journalist and translator, Netta Peacock, and their unsuccessful attempt to publish a book of Russian folk tales and illustrations in Britain in 1890s. Since 2014, Hardiman has worked with the Polenova family and the publisher Fontanka to publish both Why the Bear has no Tail and other Russian Folk Tales and The Story of Synko-Filipko and other Russian Folk Tales. Following the talk, Belarusian artist and performer Irena Mihalkovich will perform a reimagined episode from the tale of The Frog Princess using classical Indian dance and shadow puppetry. Certain to be a rich cultural exploration, this one is not to be missed.

 

A brown haired woman looks over her shoulder towards us while a man holding a saxophone looks towards her, shown on a dark background of the night sky.

Stars, Snow & Firelight: Evening Music Concert
Friday 4 December | 6:30pm – 9:30pm | Book here

Acclaimed British jazz singer Nette Robinson and phenomenal saxophonist Tony Woods invite you to join them for a special evening of music – perfect for a cold December night. Together they will present a beautiful and evocative programme of songs from Russia, the British Isles and beyond, conjuring wintry scenes of snow and ice, vast starry skies, little robins and the warmth of a cosy fire.

 

A piece of tin cut into the shape of a dog-like creature with an embossed surface representing fur and a face.

Mythical Beings Tin Embossing Workshop
Saturday 5 December | 2pm – 4pm | Book here

In connection with her exhibition, artist Anna Milgrom will lead a creative workshop using tin embossing to explore mythical beings, focusing on an exploration of creatures from Russian folklore such as the Baba Yaga and Alkonost. The embossed tin pieces you will produce will be the perfect gift for a friend to go on their Christmas tree. No prior experience required and all materials are included.

 

A group of people stand behind a decorated cardboard cut out. One holds a sign above her head that reads 'Ye Olde Face Free Live Portraits' while another pokes their head through a set of red curtains in the middle of the cutout.

Pop Up Portraits
Saturday 12 December | 12noon – 4pm | Free/Drop-in

On the afternoon of Saturday 12 December Kingston University Illustration & Animation students will be running a pop-up portrait stall. Come by and have your portrait drawn on the spot with inspiration taken from the museum’s collections. A free, fun activity for all the family.

 

Guided Tours
Various Dates | Book here

Join a guided tour of the museum led by one of our knowledgeable guides and gain a deeper insight into the house, collections and fascinating lives of Dora Gordine and Richard Hare. Or find out more about Dorich House itself on one of our new architecture tours. Guided tour dates for November and December are available to book now.

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