Creative Encounters

Join Creative Encounters for a social Wednesday evening of art, poetry and making as part of Southbank Centre's free events programme Open Doors.

Every two weeks in the Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall, a different artist leads an evening of playful creativity.

Aiming to be a place where you can meet and socialise with new people while trying something different, there’s an emphasis on getting to know others through interacting with hands-on creative activities. All events are free and there's no need to book!

Wed 4 Mar | The Londoners' Printing Press 
Try your hand at typography and collaborative print-making, and learn the art of letterpress with artist Theo Hersey and a DIY printing press.

Wed 25 Mar | Shadow Puppets from Kerala 
Make your own Keralan shadow puppet with artist and designer Rose Antony

Wed 1 Apr | A Shrine to the Everyday
Step into a gentle, sensory space of celebration and create your own pocket shrine with artists Vroomlab and Alysha Nelson.

Wed 15 Apr | Your City in Paper
If you were the chief architect of your own world, what kind of city would you build? Dream big and craft a mini paper palace with Assemblage Collective.

Wed 29 Apr |  Drag Up Your Mask
Create your own papier-mâché mask and unleash the fantastical creativity of drag makeup with The Bitten Peach collective.

Wed 6 May | Spice-Blending Stories
Create your own seasonal chai mix with researcher and artist Roo Dhissou and reflect on the stories and histories that infuse every cup.

Wed 27 May | Beyond the Algorithm
Come down for an evening of conversation, poetry and collaboration to rediscover your curiosity away from algorithms and digital platforms.

Wed 10 Jun | Create with Courage
Bring your stories, curiosity and courage for a special edition of Creative Encounters for Refugee Week 2026, in collaboration with Counterpoints Arts.