When Vogue magazine rates a baby class as among the very best in London, you know you’ve got to check it out. So, the wee man and I hot-footed it to Dulwich Picture Gallery for Holly Dabbs’ excellent Mini Masterpieces class, recommended for little ones from 6-24 months.
I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting from the session beyond a bunch of babes getting messy with paint…but it was so much more than that!
For a start, Holly and her small team begin by taking you through the permanent collection – singing as they go – and encouraging you to share, point to and delight in the art around you with your little one. Now, you might think the works of 17th and 18th century European masters is a bit beyond a 10-month-old – and we did swerve past a beheading – but you’d be surprised how many of these greats love a cow, dog or sheep as much as we do. Cue much moo-ing, woof-ing and baa-ing as we made our way round to the total bemusement of the other gallery-goers!
Next came the painting. On giant sheets of paper taped to the floor the babies were let loose with paint brushes, crayons, cornflour and food-colouring and it was – as you might expect – gloriously messy mayhem. True, the wee man seemed more intent on eating the paint-brushes than channelling his inner Jackson Pollock, but he loved it none the less. A magic way to spend the morning.
Cost ⭐️⭐️⭐️
£12 but worth it
Accessibility ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pram or sling – either fine, no stairs to navigate
Facilities ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Baby changing available (though I just changed the wee man in the private room provided) and a good cafe on site if you fancied lunch after.
Feeding-friendly ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Yeah, with this crowd you’re golden
General vibes ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The wee man and I were covered in cornflour and all the happier for it.
MotherCulture 