Workshops at Parc Howard Museum

Portraits Through the Ages Workshop

(Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2)

This creative and exploratory workshop takes pupils on a journey through the history of portraiture as they visit Parc Howard and discover the many portraits on display throughout the house. Learners have the opportunity to dress in Victorian costumes and either pose for a photograph or have their portrait drawn by a fellow pupil, helping them consider how people choose to present themselves. The session explores how portraits have changed over time—from early cave art found in South Wales, which pupils recreate outdoors using chalk, to examining coins from different eras and making rubbings of Roman, Victorian, and modern examples. Using painting stations in the art gallery, pupils then draw their peers, considering what a portrait can convey: how they wish to look, what objects they might include, and the story they want their artwork to tell. This workshop combines art, history, and self-expression in a memorable, hands-on experience.

The Second World War in Carmarthenshire

(Suitable for Key Stage 2 – Years 5 and 6)

Parc Howard Museum's sessions on the First World War in Carmarthenshire offer pupils a rich insight into the local history of the conflict, covering topics such as evacuees, the Home Front, US troops in the county, 'Make Do and Mend', Pembrey Airfield, 'Dig for Victory', and food rationing. Designed for Year 5 and 6 classes, the visit typically comprises two 60-minute sessions: while one group of approximately 15–16 pupils takes part in the workshop, the other explores the museum, before swapping places after a short break. Afternoon sessions can also be arranged.

Each workshop includes a 'mystery object' activity, local wartime stories, visual presentations, and a question-and-answer session, helping pupils connect national events with real experiences from Carmarthenshire. Schools also receive copies of the presentations, information files, and photographs to support further learning in the classroom. The sessions are led by Seimon Pugh-Jones (photographer, artist, and museum leader) and Emyr Price (former teacher, heritage officer, and museum leader), who bring the period to life through their expertise and storytelling skills.