Loved Slow Art Day? Here are some simple ways to keep the practice going until next April comes around…
Slow Art Day is an annual global event that invites everyone to experience art at a slower, more thoughtful pace.
You might take part in an official event at a museum or gallery, go solo with a notebook, explore public art, join a digital session, or simply slow down with the art on your own four walls. You might bring friends or family to share their thoughts and perspectives, or join a guided slow looking experience in a museum.
The idea is look carefully at all the details, talk about, write or sketch your responses, or use audio and music to stay longer and connect more. Afterwards, spend some time reflecting about what you noticed. Think about: How did slowing down change the experience? What details emerged that you might have missed?
But once the day is over, how do you hold onto that slower way of seeing?
Slow looking can be calming, grounding and deeply rewarding. It helps you to notice more, feel more engaged, and connect with the world around you. It also helps you build a unique set of skills: observing and describing with care, gaining knowledge through attention, and becoming more aware of how you see.
If Slow Art Day left you wanting more, you’re not alone. Here are some simple ways a few simple ways to keep the practice going and make slow looking part of your everyday life.
Individual slow looking practices
At museums and galleries
- Choose just one or two artworks or objects per visit. Instead of trying to see everything, pick one or two pieces to spend extended time with, building up to 10-20 minutes. If you want to explore the whole museum, try choosing one object per visit to spend a longer period of time with.
- Revisit a favourite artwork or object regularly. Return to the same painting, sculpture, or object again and again. You’ll start to notice new details, make deeper connections, and even build a kind of relationship with it. Some visitors choose a “favourite object” at their local museum to visit on every trip—watching how their responses shift over time.
- The 10-Minute Challenge:
Choose one artwork or object the next time you visit a museum and spend a full 10 minutes with it. Notice what you discover when you give looking time. Can’t get to a museum? The New York Times has just started a great 10 minute challenge of its own. - Try different ways of looking at artworks or objects. Changing the way you approach an artwork or object can reveal lots of new perspectives. Start far away, taking in the whole display, and then slowly move closer to explore smaller details. You might also try the reverse: begin up close and step back to see how the object changes as you shift your perspective. Check out my free guide How to Look at Art (Slowly) for 30+ similar suggestions.
- Start a slow looking notebook
Document your observations, questions, and emotional responses as you look at art. Write, sketch, doodle, or ask questions. A notebook helps you to slow down and reflect more deeply on what you’re seeing. Ask questions like, What does this artwork remind me of? or How does this piece make me feel today? Over time, you’ll build a personal record of your slow looking adventures! - Find a Slow Art friend
Invite a friend to meet up monthly at a local museum or gallery. Try experimenting with different prompts or themes for each session. Each choose one piece to spend 10-15 minutes with, then chat about what you see. Ask each other questions, share your thoughts, and dig a little deeper into the artwork. You can also use my Slow Art Guide to help you!
In your daily life
- Set aside 5–10 minutes a day to closely observe an everyday object in your home
Pick something simple – maybe a mug, a plant, or a favourite book – and spend a few minutes noticing the small details you usually overlook. You’ll be surprised at what you find when you stop and really look.
- Do some slow looking in nature
Get outside and find something to spend time with. This could be a view from a park bench, a tree, a plant, or a landscape that changes over time. Spend 5-10 minutes fully engaging your senses to notice the details. Listen to the sounds, feel the textures, notice the colours, and really take it all in.
For more ideas, see how to develop a daily slow looking practice.
Group slow looking activities
Organise a group slow looking session
Gather a group of friends, family, or colleagues for a slow looking experience in a museum or gallery – either looking at artworks together or separately, and then share your thoughts.
Group slow looking suggestions:
- Same Artwork: Spend 10-15 minutes looking quietly at the same artwork. Afterwards, come together to share your observations and see how everyone’s perspective differs.
- Different Artworks: Each person chooses a different artwork to focus on for 10-15 minutes. When you’re done, share what you discovered and discuss how each piece made you feel (you can also do this over drinks, or lunch)
- Compare Artworks: Choose two artworks to look at. Spend time with one, then move to the other, and compare the details, mood, and themes. Afterward, have a group discussion about how the works contrast or complement each other.
- Host a slow looking walk.
Take your slow looking practice outdoors. Walk slowly through a park or a city neighbourhood, stopping to look at objects, architecture, or landscapes that catch your attention. Take time to talk about what you see, what stands out, and how the environment changes as you move through it. - Slow Looking Show-and-Tell.
Have everyone choose an object, artwork, or piece of nature from their surroundings (whether at the museum, in a park, or from home) and spend 10-15 minutes looking at it slowly. When the group reconvenes, everyone presents their chosen piece and shares what they discovered during their slow looking practice.
Virtual slow looking
- Guide slow looking exercises via video platforms (e.g. Zoom).
Host a video call with friends or family where you guide the group through a slow looking practice. You can either focus on one shared piece of art or let each participant choose their own. Afterwards, facilitate a discussion where everyone shares their observations and reflections. - Join a virtual slow looking community
My Slow Looking Club is a great way to connect with fellow Slow Art fans. No travel required, just bring your curiosity!
Helpful Resources
Books
- The Art of Noticing book and Substack newsletter by Rob Walker
- How to Use Your Eyes by James Elkins
- Slow Looking: The Art and Practice of Learning Through Observation by Shari Tishman
- The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums by Claire Bown
- Seeing Slowly by Michael Findlay
Apps and Websites
- Daily Art: Delivers one artwork daily with context and history
- Smartify: Provides information about artworks in partner museums
- Slow Art Day website: Offers year-round resources and community connections
- The Art Engager Podcast: The podcast with the most episodes dedicated to slow looking of any podcast.
- Thinking Museum blog: dozens of blogs on slow looking, just type “slow” into the search bar!