Creative Encounters: Your Stories in Colour
Join Portland N’ Pals for a painting workshop bursting with connection, conversation and creativity.
Warm up with interactive games and icebreakers, then dive into brush strokes inspired by themes of identity, heritage and meaningful memories. Enjoy a workshop that’s vibrant, social and joyful, and leave not just with a painting, but with new connections, good memories and creative enthusiasm that lasts long after the workshop.
This is a beginners friendly event, with no experience needed – it’s about expression, not perfection. This is your space to unwind and tap into your inner child. Materials are provided.
Portland N’ Pals is the brainchild of artist Cameron Portland, a south London-based visual artist and illustrator, who landed his first commission with Stormzy’s #Merky Books after his work was spotted online. He’s run Portland N’ Pals creative events since 2020, driven by a desire to bring people together through creativity.
Creative Encounters is your creative space in the heart of the city, bringing together Londoners old and new for live performance, making and conversation.
Our friendly sessions are designed for both those attending on their own or with others; there are opportunities to socialise and take part in activities together, but you are also very welcome to have a solo experience.
Need to know
This is a free event with no booking required but there is limited capacity. The event may get busy. We recommend arriving early to secure a seat. If we reach capacity, you may need to queue as we operate a one in, one out system.
Creative Encounters is a fortnightly programme; dates are sometimes subject to change, so do always check the website. It is part of our Open Doors programme, a regular series of free events welcoming audiences to get creative and connect.
For your visit
This event is held at the The Clore Ballroom Southbank Centre
The Clore Ballroom is open six days a week.
Tuesday, 10am – 6pm*
Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
*If we’re hosting a performance, the building will stay open until the event ends.
Plan your visit
The Clore Ballroom is located inside our Royal Festival Hall on Level 2.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
There is step-free access to The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, via a ramp.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
Next to The Clore Ballroom is our Ballroom Cafe where you can grab a coffee and a piece of freshly made cake. Also on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.