As the start of term begins, it’s the start of a new year for the Museums Partnership Reading Youth Panel. With the Panellists embarking on a new series of projects, we’re looking forward to saying hello to new faces, as well as waving goodbye to those leaving us to pursue university courses and next steps. That said, now seems like the perfect chance to reflect upon the Panel’s fantastic work over the previous academic year. This year the Panel members have worked across Reading Museum and The MERL on a variety of exciting projects, exploring everything from art to Austen… and even some magic! Read on to find out more about what the Panel got up to this year, and to hear from some of the museum staff who worked with them.
Pandora Unboxed:
Credit: John Dickson Batten, Pandora, 1913, egg tempera on canvas. University of Reading Art Collection, UAC/10235.
Inspired by the painting ‘Pandora’ by John Dickson Batten, the Youth Panel members kicked off the year with a project combining myth and art to reimagine the character of Pandora, the woman who unleashed all the evils upon the world by opening a box given to her by the gods. In the Pandora Unboxed project, the Panel members were invited to respond to the myth of Pandora by creating their own paintings.
We had a great time working on the project with the YP. It was a wonderful opportunity to have a deep-dive insight into an artwork in our collection from the perspective of our local, young, YP members.’
Reading University Art Curator - 2025
Taking inspiration from Batten’s piece, and under the guidance of artist Lisa Marie Gibbs, the Youth Panel used egg tempera as a medium. The artworks reimagined Pandora in a variety of ways, from abstract interpretations to dual figures.
Fine art is not something I am used to or considered myself good at, but I pushed myself to try it.’
Youth Panel member - 2025
The Artworks above are two examples of final pieces produced by members of the youth panel.
Left: Whispers of Pandora, by Suri (Youth Panel member)
Right: Pandora’s Collage, by Chloe (Youth Panel member)
Their final pieces were displayed in The MERL’s Staircase Hall, and can still be viewed in the online exhibition, with accompanying interpretation from each of the young artists.
The opportunity to co-curate an exhibition was also beneficial to us, allowing us to share our visual literacy skills with the YP and raise the profile of the collection at the same time. I think the opportunity to read and create artworks also gave several members of the YP an opportunity to develop or hone their creative skills, so it was a beneficial project all round.’
Reading University Art Curator - 2025
Museums and Dragons:
Credit: Reading Museum
Following the success of the Reading Museum Adventures and Artefacts Game Day, Youth Panel members were invited to look at the museum through the eyes of RPG Dungeon Masters. In a workshop led by Darrel Ottery from eclectic games, and Harriet and Lauren from Reading Museum, the Panel took inspiration from the Silchester Gallery, picking out objects which could be reimagined as magical items to be used in a game of Dungeons and Dragons.
I think most, if not all, of the Panel members had either played Dungeons and Dragons or at least had heard of and understood what DnD was, so we got some really good interaction from them, and they really engaged with the items.
Learning Assistant, Reading Museum - 2025
Stay tuned to hear more about the DnD project and the exciting resources that are being produced as part of the Youth Panel’s work.
Jane Austen:
Credit: Museum Partnership Reading
As part of the 250-year anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, who went to school in Reading, the Youth Panel had the opportunity to get involved in some fantastically Austen-tatious activities this summer.
Panel members turned their hands to needlework in a hands-on session at Reading Museum with crafter and embroiderer Charlotte Hollis, designing and stitching their own embroidered tote bags.
The sewing was engaging but difficult, but good to get a tote bag.’
Youth Panel Member - 2025
Continuing on the creative theme, the young people also learned how to make their own ink according to Austen’s own recipe in a fantastic workshop at Reading Museum with Nicky Culetto.
[The ink making workshop] was fun and messy.
Youth Panel Member - 2025
This was particularly handy knowledge for their final Austen-themed session, during which the Panel members were encouraged to take inspiration from Jane herself and get into their own creative writing with quill and ink, in a workshop led by the MPR Programme Manager.
Very interesting insight into writing around the time of Jane Austen.’
Youth Panel Member - 2025
So, that’s a wrap on another fantastic year of Youth Panel. We’re always on the lookout for young people wanting to get creative and boost their CVs as Panel members; if you or someone you know is interested in joining the Youth Panel, you can find out more on the Reading Museum and MERL websites.
