EVERYTHING
According to Schooltravelorganiser, the new Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration has officially unveiled its debut exhibitions, establishing itself as a permanent cultural hub in Clerkenwell. The centre is housed in the grounds of an 18th-century waterworks and features three dedicated galleries designed to showcase illustration—an art form that communicates complex stories and ideas.
Celebrating Diverse Visual Narratives
The initial lineup includes several landmark shows, each offering a unique perspective on the medium. One major exhibition is Performance, which provides a rare look into how theatrical traditions influenced the nearly 80-year career of Quentin Blake himself. Visitors can view more than 100 original works on paper, many never before publicly displayed.
The centre also features two other highly significant exhibitions:
- Queer as Comics: A landmark display that presents stories of fantasy, identity, and resistance told by queer comic-makers for the first time in the UK.
- MURUGIAH: Ever Feel Like...: An immersive showcase exploring the kaleidoscopic world of the British-Sri Lankan illustrator and designer.
Education and Community Outreach
Beyond adult exhibitions, the centre places a strong emphasis on educational engagement. Bespoke sessions are available for students across EYFS and KS1-5, focusing on core techniques such as Character Design, Creating Mood and Atmosphere, and Sequential Illustration. These workshops are led by experienced illustrator-educators, allowing pupils to engage directly with practising artists.
The centre’s commitment extends to local history; the team offers interactive sessions inspired by the New River for primary and EYFS pupils. Furthermore, they plan to develop SEND-specific events later in 2026, alongside providing a range of free resources for schools. Sir Quentin Blake, who initiated the idea over 20 years ago through his charity established in 2002, stated: “I have long dreamt of a permanent place with “Illustration” above the door, and now the amazing reality is that we have it.”
The centre’s opening fulfils Blake's decades-long aspiration for a national space to celebrate illustration. Since his first publication in Punch magazine in 1949, Sir Quentin Blake has created or illustrated more than 500 books and received numerous honours, including a knighthood in 2013.
The new facility ensures that the extraordinary wealth of visual language can be exhibited, discussed, and celebrated by both professionals and the public for generations to come.