PRESS, TESTIMONIALS & REVIEWS

“Originary Arts' drawing sessions imaginatively bring to life the National Gallery's collection. Learners of all ages, from young children through to older adults, encounter art history in exciting and accessible contemporary contexts, through models, performers and props. They remain some of our favourite people to work with!” Joseph Kendra, Adult Events Programmer, National Gallery

“Originary Arts is pure escapism and joy. Working with Nikki Shaill and Originary Arts is always a pleasure. They are a completely safe pair of hands. Their ideas are fresh, imaginative and inclusive. Play is always at the centre of their workshops, whether for adults or children.” Emma Stones, freelance Programmer/Producer, Serpentine Gallery/Garden Museum

“Working with Originary Arts has bought both new audiences and engaged our regulars in  exploring  the collection using creative expression to draw out new ways of understanding in the Museum. The format of the events works well and can be adapted to suit our themes that we run each term, from Steam Punk to Pottery.  Working with Nikki and her team has been stimulating and produced very successful and popular evenings here at The UCL  Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology.”  Helen Pike, Petrie Museum, Public Programmer

“Nikki’s unique ability to engage with exhibition and heritage concepts and bring themes to life for participants make her ideal to work with and I recommend doing so to anyone.” Gwen Ramsay, Royal Academy, Family Studios and Workshops Programmer

“Nikki Shaill has worked on various Uniqlo Tate Late events - they’ve always found exciting ways to bring to life key exhibitions, from ‘Red Star Over Russia’,to the work of Picasso and Joan Jonas. Her approach is always highly accessible, participative and informed by a strong knowledge of the visual arts.” Liat Rosenthal, Tate Lates Programmer

“It is refreshing to commission an event with such a professional team. The Originary Arts team bring a blend of dark wit and engagement with their fun, fresh approach. As with all good events it’s in the details; the music, the props, and the models are all carefully planned and choreographed, but what visitors encountered is a smooth-running entertaining evening with its finger firmly on the cultural pulse.’  Annette Richardson, Somerset House, Learning & Participation Manager

“I had so much fun. There’s no right answer with this process - you can make mistakes and think outside the box! I found that liberating.” Teacher in CPD training workshop we delivered

TIME OUT, THINGS TO DO, Print magazine and Online, January 2020