Drawn Heritage – Discovering Heritage Through Art – InfoCons Promotes Initiatives Developed by Young Romanians Living Abroad
Drawn Heritage is a creative project founded by Mihai Lupu and Bianca Mierlea, two young Romanians living abroad with backgrounds in architecture and fine arts, brought together by their shared passion for historic houses, gardens, and heritage sites. The idea for the project emerged during their visits to various historic places. Instead of leaving with photographs alone, Mihai and Bianca began creating their own postcards inspired by what they discovered at each location. For them, drawing and painting became ways of slowing down, noticing details they might otherwise have overlooked, and preserving much more personal memories of the places they visited.
This experience gave rise to Drawn Heritage – a project through which they aim to invite others to discover heritage in a different way: through art, observation, exploration, and storytelling.
Mihai and Bianca are currently organising a series of three creative experiences at Marble Hill, in collaboration with English Heritage:
- Nature’s Canvas – an exploration of the gardens and natural surroundings of Marble Hill;
- The House in Detail – an activity dedicated to discovering the house’s façade, architecture, and exterior details;
- Hidden Interiors – a journey through the rooms, furniture, and decorative features inside the house.
The upcoming workshops are scheduled for 27 August, 8, 13 and 29 September, and 5 October 2026, with further dates to be announced. The participation fee is £30 per person or £25 for English Heritage members. A fee of £50 applies to a family of two, either a couple or one parent and one child.
During each workshop, participants are invited to find five hidden features around Marble Hill, draw and paint their own postcard, and then write the story of their discovery on the back. Those who complete all three creative experiences receive an “Artist of Marble Hill” certificate and may also have the opportunity to exhibit their artwork. All the necessary art materials are included in the participation fee.
Each workshop lasts approximately two hours and begins with a small adventure. Participants receive an envelope containing a specially designed map and several photographic clues before setting off on a treasure hunt through Marble Hill to discover hidden details in the gardens, on the building, or inside the house.
Following the exploration, each participant selects their favourite discovery and, under the guidance of the two founders, transforms it into a handmade postcard. No previous drawing or painting experience is required, as the aim of the activities is not to achieve perfection, but to enjoy looking more closely, interpreting what is observed, and creating something personal.
All the necessary materials are provided, and the workshops are suitable for both adults and children aged 7 and over.
At the end of the workshop, each postcard receives a personalised Drawn Heritage stamp, handmade using the linocut technique. Participants can then take their creations home as a lasting reminder of the experience.
Those who complete all three workshops receive the special “Artist of Marble Hill” certificate, marking their entire creative journey through the gardens, architecture, and interiors of this historic place.
Through Drawn Heritage, Mihai Lupu and Bianca Mierlea aim to bring together people of different ages and backgrounds and encourage them to explore heritage with greater attention and curiosity. In the founders’ vision, a historic place should not simply be visited: it can also be observed, drawn, interpreted, and transformed into part of one’s own story.
Discover. Observe. Create. Connect.
Drawn Heritage
Further information about the workshops is available on the English Heritage website.