Ashmolean Museum Hosts 10th Slow Art Day

On April 11, 2026, the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford University, hosted its tenth annual Slow Art Day, welcoming visitors for a unique experience of slow looking.

Led by Educator Jude Barrett and Gallery Lecturers Lynne Ward and Anna Steven, the event offered a guided slow looking session followed by a facilitated discussion over afternoon tea. The Ashmolean Museum has been a consistent and enthusiastic participant in Slow Art Day, even hosting online during the COVID pandemic, and their events are consistently fully booked.

The featured artworks, chosen by co-host Lynne Ward and all located on the same floor for ease of movement, included:

• “Portrait of Prince Rupert, Colonel William Legge and Colonel John Russell” by William DOBSON (1611-1646), c 1645
• “Roman Capriccio” by Giovanni Paolo PANINI (1691-1765), 18th century
• “Still Life” by William VAN AELST, 17th century
• Fitzwilliam COIN CABINET, 1748-50 – stand made in England c1720-90
• “Blowing Hot, Blowing Cold” by Matthias STOM (c1589/1600-after 1652), c1640

View a word doc with images and details of all of the works.

The event began with a guide introducing each work, after which participants had seven minutes for quiet, independent looking.

To aid in close observation, guests were encouraged to sketch or write in a notebook, to feel comfortable in the space, and to sit or move around to view the object or work from different perspectives.

Following this silent looking period, the group engaged in a brief discussion about their observations, what stood out, how the work made them feel, and their interpretations.

This process was repeated for each of the five selected works.

At the conclusion of the slow looking session, everyone gathered for afternoon tea (how civilized, how British!), providing a relaxed setting to further discuss their experiences, the artworks, and the power of slow looking.

A total of 24 people attended the event. Participants said they quite enjoyed the experience would like to participate in slow looking again.

Like most who slow down, many were surprised by just how enjoyable slow looking can be.

We at Slow Art Day HQ are grateful to Jude Barrett, Lynne Ward, Anna Steven, and the entire team at the Ashmolean Museum for their continued dedication to Slow Art Day.

Their commitment to fostering deep engagement with art, evident in their fully booked events and near-universal positive responses, is truly inspiring. We look forward to seeing what they create for Slow Art Day 2027.

— Ashley, Johanna, Jessica Jane, and Phyl

P.S. You can learn more about the Ashmolean Museum by visiting their website or Instagram.