Portsmouth100 Wonders: Heritage Art Club - Milton Locks

Simon Whitcomb is leading a sketching and painting session at Milton Locks on Saturday 12 September, from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. It's part of the Portsmouth100 Wonders: Heritage Art Club, a cultural project running as part of the Portsmouth100 celebrations. The whole idea is to explore, imagine and celebrate the city through different artistic disciplines across various locations, with each session sharing the fascinating facts, stories and anecdotes that sit behind Portsmouth's iconic and hidden landmarks.

This particular stop at Milton Locks focuses on sketching and painting, but the club changes its approach depending on where it lands. Across the wider programme, you'll find collage, drawing, storytelling and photography, so the activity shifts to suit the spot. It's a slow-paced way of looking at the city, taking a bit of time to sit with one place rather than just passing through it.

If you're wondering who it's for, the session is open to anyone over 16, and you don't need any previous experience to take part—just curiosity and a willingness to share stories. All the materials you'll need are provided on the day, so you can just turn up and get started. The project is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the whole thing is free to attend.

There's a bigger picture to it, too: the sessions serve as a lead-up to Your museum. Your stories. Your city., an exhibition that opens in October 2026. So, what you make at Milton Locks fits into a wider collection of the city's stories being told by the people who live here. It runs from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm on 12 September, and it's free.