The National Gallery showcased the transformative power of creativity at last week’s The Meeting Show, inviting delegates to step beyond traditional event experiences during its interactive session, “Sip, See, Create: How Creative Engagement Transforms Delegate Experience” on the Blank Canvas Stage.
Designed to demonstrate how art can inspire meaningful connections, spark creativity and enhance delegate engagement, the session offered attendees of the show a hands-on experience that blurred the line between observer and creator.
Following an introduction from Clare Arouche, Head of Hospitality & Events at the National Gallery, participants were guided through an engaging still life sketching workshop led by Karly Allen, a lecturer at the cultural institution. Drawing inspiration from the Gallery’s world-renowned collection, Allen explored the human body as a source of creativity, highlighting the importance of hosting events at unique venues that inspire conversation.
The session reflected the ethos behind the National Gallery’s recently launched Creativity Package, one of four curated art-based event experiences, alongside the Mindfulness, Enrichment and Connection packages, developed to help organisations harness the power of art to inspire innovation and business success. Built around guided artistic engagement and immersive experiences, delegates can book the experience which starts from £40 per person, designed to encourage out-of-the-box thinking and unlock new ideas through meaningful interaction with the collection.
The response from delegates was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the session as “unexpected”, “highly immersive” and “great fun”. Attendees also noted the value of the activity as an icebreaker, the importance of creating immediate connections at events and demonstrating how creative engagement can break down barriers far more effectively than traditional networking formats.
Clare Arouche, Head of Hospitality & Events at the National Gallery said: “The National Gallery is filled with representations of people – of movement, emotion, expression and the human experience in all its forms. When delegates gather in our event spaces, they are surrounded by these stories and figures. We’re glad that we could bring a taste of the National Gallery to The Meeting Show.”
By combining world-class art with interactive experiences, the National Gallery continues to demonstrate how cultural venues can create memorable events that leave a lasting impact long after guests leave the room.
