Audio art: Utterly in the picture
- Tuesday, 9 December 2025
- Tuesday, 13 January 2026
- Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Free
Places are available on a first come, first served basis with priority given to blind and partially sighted visitors.
Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome.
Please view our Access page for more information.
About
These sessions combine a detailed audio description of a Gallery painting, led by Gallery Educators Katy Tarbard and Tilly Scantlebury, with a new piece of music, composed and performed by cellist Nina Plapp.
The sessions have been designed for blind and partially sighted visitors, we welcome everyone to experience paintings on this multi-dimensional level.
Sessions are held seated in front of the painting. Please meet in the advertised room or meet 15 minutes before the start of the talk in the Sainsbury Wing Foyer to be guided to the room. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome.
To discuss any additional access requirements, please email education@nationalgallery.org.uk
Join Gallery Educator Dr Tilly Scantlebury and composer Nina Plapp for a sensory exploration of Titian's 'The Holy Family with a Shepherd', which captures a serene moment of Mary, Joseph, and the Christ Child resting in a tranquil landscape.
A couple poised in grandeur, a landscape alive with meaning - Joseph Wright of Derby’s 'Mr and Mrs Thomas Coltman' captures a moment of status and intimacy. Experience it anew with an audio-described talk by Gallery Educator Katy Tarbard with music created by Nina Plapp exclusively for this event.
Jealousy and divine love collide in Fragonard’s 'Psyche Showing Her Sisters Her Gifts from Cupid'. Experience this Rococo masterpiece through an audio-described talk and a specially composed musical performance with Gallery Educator Katy Tarbard and composer Nina Plapp.
Katy Tarbard
Katy Tarbard has over 20 years of teaching and programming experience in gallery education departments, working to connect visitors of all ages with their love of artworks. Her areas of interest include the history of the National Gallery Collection and its methods of display. Her favourite artists include Titian, Turner and Van Gogh.
Nina Plapp
Nina Plapp is a composer and cellist from the UK; she studied Cello Performance at Trinity College of Music (LABAN) London. She composes for theatre, dance and mixed media projects and has had her music performed in the USA, China and the UK. She is the winner of the 'journey of a lifetime award' and produced a radio documentary for the BBC charting her musical adventure, exploring the music heritage of gypsy communities from Rajasthan to Romania.
Nina has performed with major international artists including Rox, Angie Brown (Fatboy Slim, Bizzare inc.) Alison David (Red Snapper), supported The Charlatans and The Flaming Lips, and was a regular player for Tam Wing Lun on his stadium tours.
Nina has also performed her music live on Midweek (BBC Radio 4) and composes for her own folk band 'Blue Slipper Music' who can be heard on BBC introducing.
Tilly Scantlebury
Dr Tilly Scantlebury is an art historian and one of our Gallery Educators. Since completing their doctorate in 2021, Tilly has been delivering outreach workshops to young people and adults, which aim to widen access to art history. Alongside public programmes, Tilly also writes and delivers lectures in their research specialism of feminist, queer modern and contemporary art.