Blenheim Palace welcomes Oxfordshire Hospital School’s inspiring art exhibition

Blenheim Palace is proud to be hosting a new exhibition in the Long Library, showcasing artwork created by the students at Oxfordshire Hospital School (OHS). The unique display will run from 14th to 20th July, and is the result of a year-long collaboration that brought pupils from OHS to Blenheim Palace each half-term during the academic year.

The exhibition includes Kintsugi plates and A2 size artworks inspired by the Blenheim Collection including Chinese porcelain and John Piper’s ink series. Students explored various subjects during their visits; English, Science, Photography, and Art.

OHS is an Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) maintained Hospital School based across a number of settings throughout the county of Oxfordshire and is designated as a Special School.

Tom Hilton, Head Teacher at OHS, said: “We are a highly qualified, dedicated and enthusiastic team that works incredibly hard to transform learning outcomes for the young people we teach. This exhibition reflects the deeply personalised and inspiring learning journeys our students take, often during extremely challenging times in their lives.”

Boun Norton, Education Officer at Blenheim Palace, added: “It’s an honour to be showcasing this art. The artworks reflect the creativity, and spirit of the students, many of whom are living with serious health conditions and receive education through OHS while undergoing treatment. It’s a reflection of courage, creativity, and the healing power of education. We hope this exhibition inspires all who see it.”

One highlight of the exhibition is the Kintsugi plates, a series created after students viewed a broken and mended ginger pot in The Saloon. Inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold, the plates serve as a beautiful metaphor for recovery and growth. In another section, prints and collages inspired by John Piper’s landscapes show students using sticks and natural materials to apply ink and add bold detail to their screen prints.

The exhibition is open to the public in the Long Library. Access to the Palace is included with a valid Palace & Gardens Ticket or Palace and Play Pass, which grants access to both Blenheim Palace and Adventure Play.

In a further step towards accessibility and inclusion, Blenheim Palace has proudly unveiled the Blenheim SENsory bag, a new initiative designed to engage visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN) through rich, multi-sensory experiences in the Palace State Rooms. The bags, a sector-first among Treasure Houses and Historic Houses groups, include tactile, aromatic, and auditory elements such as a fidget pillow made from Palace wall coverings, a citrus-scented pod reminiscent of the Orangery, and a soft “feel pod” inspired by the Blenheim Spaniel. Each bag also unfolds to reveal a map of the Palace, Park, and Gardens.

To find out more about the Oxfordshire Hospital School exhibition visit, https://www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/oxfordshire-hospital-school-art-exhibition/.

For opening times, ticketing and more information please visit, www.blenheimpalace.com

ENDS

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About Blenheim Palace 

Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace is set in over 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland and is the birthplace of one of Britain’s most famous leaders, Sir Winston Churchill.

With over 300 years of history to share and one of the most important and extensive collections in Europe, Blenheim Palace is not only an iconic part of history, but also a living, changing experience with a wealth of sporting and cultural events, themed exhibitions and tours all year around.

A short miniature train ride away from the Palace is the Walled Garden, which boasts interactive areas entirely dedicated for families to explore including Adventure Play and the Rowse Honey Hive, The Marlborough Maze and Butterfly House. With curated events, an exciting programme of annual activities, entertainment and dedicated eateries for families, these areas guarantee a memorable family day out.

Beyond the grounds and an array of Formal Gardens, the total Estate expands into a further 10,000 acres and focuses on care for the land through sustainable means, pursuing net zero, the growth of the local economy, the provision of affordable homes, apprenticeship training and supported community groups.

Blenheim Palace is Britain’s Greatest Palace.