Shakespeare or Bust!
The image of William Shakespeare is being put in the spotlight, or rather the frame, this summer as part of a free Family Friendly experience at Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall in Stratford-upon-Avon. Visitors will be able to see a display of Shakespeare busts decorated by artists, put themselves in the frame with a selfie opportunity and enter a competition to see their own Shakespearian design come to life.
The colourful busts of Shakespeare that adorn Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall have been decorated by artists including pieces by local artist Jon Stiff of Stiffy Art, who is renowned for his abstract work. You can put yourself in the frame alongside these for a light-hearted selfie to capture an image to share with family and friends.
For young visitors there is also a chance to come up with their own design for a Shakespeare bust, with the winner’s recreated. Taking place throughout August the competition is free to enter and open to under 16s, with all entries forming a mini exhibition throughout the school holidays that will be on view in the Masters Chamber. A craft table with lots of colourful drawing materials will be available so that you can complete your design during your visit. If you prefer, you can create your design at home and bring it back or put it in the post to arrive before 31 August. The Shakespearian bust carrying the winning design will be revealed in October 2024 when it will also go on public display.
The reigning Small Visitor Attraction of the Year 2024 for the West Midlands, Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall offers a visitor experience that’s both immersive and authentic for adults and full of fun for children. Included as part of a visit there is the chance to join Master Thomas Jenkins in a Tudor lesson that echoes the schooling that young William Shakespeare would have received, Tudor dress-up to have fun with, quill writing to try your hand at and traditional games. You can also pick up a free copy of the Schoolroom’s Family Friendly walking trail that will continue your journey of discovery around Stratford-upon-Avon.
