Creative Arts

Hosted by Nadia Monte, Nigel Hunt, and Simon Moir. Headline presentation: * **[Anna Perela](https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaperela/) \- Head of Planning and Projects\, Cityscape Digital** * * Chartered Architect with over 15 years’ experience in architecture, planning, and visualisation. Experienced in leading multidisciplinary teams, combining strong architectural knowledge and technical expertise with innovative use of technology. Education presentation: * **[Solent University](https://www.solent.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/cgi-and-visual-effects-ba/2026/ba-hons-cgi-and-visual-effects-3-years-2026) \- CGI\, VFX & Games Art\.** * * Each year, the students from Solent University make a pilgrimage to 3D London to mingle with industry folks and give short introduction presentations, the majority of whom it's their first time presenting in public. First-time 5-minute presentations: * We offer 3 spots for anyone willing to take to the stage to give a short 5-minute introduction presentation. Sponsored partners [SiNi](https://www.sinisoftware.com/), [Chaos](https://www.chaos.com/), [Itoosoft](https://www.itoosoft.com/), [NTI](https://www.nti-group.com/uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=brand-nti-pm&utm_content=adgroup-bluegfx&keyword=bluegfx&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23336319810&gbraid=0AAAABB31zGGrX5M9GuQgtXaFDu8MZSRVN&gclid=CjwKCAiAkvDMBhBMEiwAnUA9BWzTkav1enKz2adGWAV6IUQFXfJ8-QnQh3PaN4JV76OWyuQ7by74jBoCHlIQAvD_BwE), [Heata](https://www.heata.co/).

Join me for relaxing Art Workshops at London parks and pubs! THIS WEEK; I'll be near the bandstand in the middle of Lincoln's Inn Fields, from 2.30pm ; latecomers, look for art stuff on the grass 😊 We'll picnic & may later head to The Shakespeare's Head near Holborn tube for drinks / dinner if we fancy 😊 Explore your creativity no matter what your skill \~ we'll take inspiration from our surroundings, each other, I'll provide tips, advice, and a few arty leaflets and postcards from my own collection 😊 Just £5 suggested donation, or whatever you can afford ; I provide all the Art materials, just bring your imagination 😊 \~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Details \~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Each week, the workshops will be at different locations, a park in warm weather, a pub in cold/rainy weather 😊 Generally they'll be in the late afternoon into the evening, occasionally from around lunch time 😊 See you soon 😊

Join me for relaxing Art Workshops at London parks and pubs! THIS WEEK; I'll be near the bandstand in the middle of Lincoln's Inn Fields, from 2.30pm ; latecomers, look for art stuff on the grass 😊 We'll picnic & may later head to The Shakespeare's Head near Holborn tube for drinks / dinner if we fancy 😊👣😊🍻 Explore your creativity no matter what your skill \~ we'll take inspiration from our surroundings, each other, I'll provide tips, advice, and a few arty magazines and more, from my own collection 😊 Just £5 suggested donation, or whatever you can afford ; I provide all the Art materials, just bring your imagination 😊 \~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Details \~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Each week, the workshops will be at different locations, a park in warm weather, a pub in cold/rainy weather 😊 Generally they'll be in the late afternoon into the evening, occasionally from around lunch time 😊 See you soon 😊

Join me for relaxing Art Workshops at London parks and pubs! THIS WEEK; I'll be near the bandstand in the middle of Lincoln's Inn Fields, from 2.30pm ; latecomers, look for art stuff on the grass 😊 We'll picnic & may later head to The Shakespeare's Head near Holborn tube for drinks / dinner if we fancy 😊👣😊🍻 Explore your creativity no matter what your skill \~ we'll take inspiration from our surroundings, each other, I'll provide tips, advice, and a few arty magazines and more, from my own collection 😊 Just £5 suggested donation, or whatever you can afford ; I provide all the Art materials, just bring your imagination 😊 \~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Details \~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Each week, the workshops will be at different locations, a park in warm weather, a pub in cold/rainy weather 😊 Generally they'll be in the late afternoon into the evening, occasionally from around lunch time 😊 See you soon 😊

**Singers, musicians, hip hop artists, rappers, sound engineers, producers, filmmakers networking and Open Mic. Plus always Wednesdays Live Music from our very own band Satori Wave!**

Join for a unique 🧑🏻‍🎨 BrushTherapy 🎨 Paint workshop focused on healing through creativity. 🌈 DiVe iNtO the WoRLd of CoLOuR🌻 🦄 Whether you are new to art or looking to deepen your practice, this Art Therapy workshop promises to ignite your creativity and nurture your soul. 🦋 We explore how art can be a powerful tool for healing and self-expression. 🪲This workshop will also delve into the cultural aspects of art, offering a rich learning experience for participants. 🪷 During this class, participants will engage in hands-on activities, guided by experienced instructors, that will tap into the healing arts of painting and crafts. 🧚‍♂️ Discover the therapeutic benefits of creativity while connecting with a community of cultural creatives.

Fancy a drawing class that doesn’t bore you to death? Want to learn how to do art? Join us for our amazing Drink & Draw class in Balham with our brilliant community and real-life artist! Sip on a FREE beverage as you learn some new skills, chat with some fun people and make drawings you’ll be proud of. **What If I’m Shit At Drawing?** Then you should have signed up 10 minutes ago! Trust me, everyone can draw, you’ve just never been shown how. These classes are beginner-friendly and super inclusive so you’ll feel right at home (even if you’re s\*\*\*\*\*\*g a brick slightly about being the ‘newbie’). **When?** This class takes place on the first Wednesday of every month from 7 pm-8:30 pm (except Jan & Feb). **What's Included?** * All materials * A brilliant instructor * A free drink **What Will I Learn?** You’ll look at different techniques each month and make masterpieces that look like a professional drew it! You’ll learn how to shade, measure and create a masterpiece - even if you’ve never drawn before in your life! **Meet The Host** ArtistAnd is a wellbeing & art company run by China Jordan. Founded in 2019, ArtistAnd helps improve people's wellbeing by giving them the confidence to practise art and improve their creative skills. With an inclusive environment and atmosphere, ArtistAnd now teaches in corporate settings as well as classes online and in person for the public. **Age Limit** 18+ **Can't make this class?** That’s ok! Sometimes these things happen so we try our best to accommodate you. There is a limited number of tickets per class and we do get fully booked so if you do need to reschedule, please give 72 hours' notice so we can rearrange your class. Refunds are not available. Feel free to email me at [china@artistand.co.uk](mailto:china@artistand.co.uk)

Hi All, There is a few free late art gallery evenings in Soho - so I thought to create this mellow low key event to see this. Lets meet at the LBF contemporary Gallery [https://www.lbfcontemporary.com/min-woo-nam-the-aftermath](https://www.lbfcontemporary.com/min-woo-nam-the-aftermath) We can visit the following galleries in crawl... 1\. LBF 2\. Gillian Jason 3\. TBC 4.TBC End at the Blue Post - top floor pub for reflection [https://maps.app.goo.gl/HTPM6jWKMQmwmUf5A](https://maps.app.goo.gl/HTPM6jWKMQmwmUf5A) Also Optional late Jazz nearby Everyone is welcome to join and leave at any time Cheers I will be dressed in a long black coat, navy trousers, green beanie hat, inside the LBF Gallery - will write in the comments

**Do you ever feel the pull to be creative, but don’t know how to start, or even what you want to make?** **Do you ever get a flash of inspiration, but never have the time or energy to follow it through?** **Do you worry that you have to become technically skilled before you have the 'right' to make art?** **If you answered yes to any of the above, then this event is for you!** As children, we create all the time. We sing, draw and write as part of our normal lessons. We make sandcastles, secret dens, friendship bracelets, invent ball games and make up elaborate storylines for dolls and action figures. We don’t fear failure because the point isn’t to succeed, but to express ourselves and have fun. In fact there’s a whole branch of folklore called childlore! But as adults, it can become hard to connect with that creative instinct, whether that’s due to time, energy, cost or self-doubt. So for this event, we’ll be taking time and space to connect with what inspires us and flex our creativity just for the fun of it. Skill and experience levels don’t matter (although those who are skilled or experienced are welcome!)-what matters is remembering what creative inspiration feels like to you personally, and pursuing it to create something authentic to you. To do this, we’ll be emulating artists across millennia in using folklore as inspiration. A collection of folklore genres will be supplied, each containing a collection of prompts, and you will be picking a piece of folklore that speaks to you on that day and creating a piece of art based on your own interpretation of your prompt. This art can be anything, from poetry to sketching, sewing to architecture, make up, set design, tattoo art, songwriting, fashion, game design or event planning-whatever your prompt inspires you to create! You can choose to do several pieces or spend the whole session on one. Paper and pencils will be provided, but please feel free to bring other materials so long as they are not disruptive to the people or environment around us (eg no liquid paints, musical instruments, etc). Please note: this is not a technical lesson! No specific creative skills will be taught, as the aim is connecting with your own personal creative process. But you are welcome to take your pieces home with you to hone your skills. We are currently exploring free spaces to have this event so location and accessibility details will be confirmed closer to the time. (And if you know of a good location, do let us know!) (This is a free event, so we ask that you please keep RSVPs updated to ensure that as many people as possible who want to come are able to. Cancellations with less than three days’ notice may be removed from the group to prevent wasted spaces in future. Many thanks for your understanding!)

Get ready to bring your sketchbook and art supplies for a chilled café sketching session! No matter your skill level lets grab a coffee and unleash our creativity into our sketchbooks. There's no formal guidance, you'll be free to get on with your own drawings/personal art projects while being able to connect with other local artists. You're welcome to join in on the group conversations or quietly get on with your art studies whatever your preference. A few basic drawing supplies (pencils, colouring pencils, erasers etc) will be provided but please bring your own sketchbook / tablet / paper / something to draw on! Hope to see you there (Also please feel free to join even if RSVPs are full!)

First, we will visit the exhibition Enthoven Unboxed: 100 Years of Collecting Performance. This exhibition marks 100 years since Gabrielle Enthoven founded the theatre and performance collection at the V&A, and the display explores an A–Z of themes to show how performance continues to entertain, provoke and inspire. There is a huge variety of items on display ranging from Elton John's glasses through modern concert posters through to late 19th century theatre themed artwork. Next, we will walk through the museum to the Theatre and Performance Galleries. These galleries contain exciting theatre and performance collections, including rock and pop posters, theatre and ballet costumes, puppets, stage sets, Stars Wars costumes, and more. We should expect to spend around 45 minutes at each of the two legs of the visit. If we finish early, there are numerous other galleries in the museum, and we can pick another one or two to visit depending on timings. I already have a note of what's on. After the exhibition and galleries, the meetup ends, but it would be great if most if not all of us, stay for an entirely optional tea, drink, or snack in one of the many establishments in the area or the cafe at the V&A if that is still open. This will offer a great opportunity to relax and chat socially after what should be an interesting afternoon. The exhibitions are free, but the usual £1.50 group maintenance fee applies and is non refundable. Please note that Meetup now adds about £0.60 to this as well. (If you pay cash on the day, it’s £2.50). As always, you are participating at your own risk. We would appreciate it if you changed your RSVP no more than 2 days before the event should you find you can no longer attend. No shows or cancellations on the day may result in you being removed from the group.

As any one who has ever taken a selfie, only to delete it and try for a better one knows, we all have an idea of how we want to be seen by others. This was always the case. When commissioning a portrait or painting a self portrait, the foremost thing in a sitter's mind was how to present a most flattering image, and how to persuade others of one's best qualities - skills, intelligence, goodness, power or status in society. The consequence of that is that portraits usually lie in favour of propaganda. We will look at the way artists from the Renaissance onwards manipulate their sitters' and their own likenesses to reflect their ambitions and society's expectations.

Hello all! IT'S BEEN A WHILE! **But the neurodivergent artist meet ups are back!** Come along to meet fellow neurodivergent artists, share your work and chat about your art! I'd love to \*finally\* put on an exhibition next year to showcase neurodivergent artists' work - so it would be great to get your thoughts on this too so I can start planning. **Please RSVP if you can make it! I will need numbers before booking the table. RSVPs close Monday, 2 March at 11.59pm.** **Meet up format:** We usually meet for a drink (no pressure to drink alcohol!), introduce ourselves to each other, share examples of our work and have a chat! You don't need to bring anything, but a link to your website or social media so you can show us your creations would be lovely! We usually meet at a pub and whilst I always request one of the quieter tables - I am open to venue suggestions! I have left the event location as The Barrowboy and Banker for now, but please let me know if you know of anywhere more suitable by Monday 2 March. Hope to see you there! Amrita x

Welcome to the Art School - 20's & 30's artists Meetup group! This is a community for young artists who are passionate about exploring different mediums and techniques in the world of art. Whether you're a painter, sculptor, photographer, or mixed media artist, this group is the perfect place to connect with like-minded individuals, have a space to work on your craft, and showcase your work. Let's inspire and support each other on our artistic journeys! Whether you're a novice or a seasoned artist, all skill levels are welcome. Join us and unleash your creativity! This month we will be discussing Andrew Thompson, an artist known for vibrant colors and a unique style. Whose, worked on pieces for **Bioware**, **Lucasfilm**, **Bethesda Games**,, **Sony**, **Variety Magazine**, **Bojack Horseman**, **Marvel**, and **Wizards of the Coast.** [https://schmandrewart.com/hello](https://schmandrewart.com/hello) Afterwards, we will have time to work on our individual art projects, hang out and if anyone is interested in feedback on their work there will be time for that as well.

**Confidence in Bloom: How Creativity Builds Confidence** What happens when creativity becomes an intentional practice? In this month’s Confidence Lab, we’ll gather at **Petals That Inspire: The Flourish Studio** for an evening exploring the connection between creativity and confidence. How making with our hands, engaging our senses, and allowing space for expression can shift how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible. Our featured speaker, **Amanda Lorenzetti**, owner of Petals That Inspire, will share how creativity has shaped her own confidence journey and why creative environments play such a powerful role in well-being, resilience, and personal growth. Drawing from her work leading an experience-driven floral studio and a community-centered workforce development program, Amanda will reflect on creativity as both a personal and collective catalyst. Amanda will also guide us through a **hands-on floral design experience**, creating a fresh arrangement in a wide mouth mason jar. No prior floral experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to engage the process. This evening is an invitation to slow down, create, and reconnect with the part of yourself that grows through care, attention, and imagination. You’ll leave with a floral arrangement to take home, and a deeper understanding of how confidence can be cultivated through creative practices. **Featured Speaker: Amanda Lorenzetti** Amanda Lorenzetti is the owner and founder of [Petals That Inspire](https://www.petalsthatinspire.com/) and The Flourish Studio, a social enterprise florist based in Columbus, Ohio. She brings more than a decade of experience in wedding and event sales, paired with hands-on expertise in floral and event design. Amanda’s connection to the floral industry began early, spending time alongside her godmother, a professional florist on the East Coast. After earning her business degree, she returned to her hometown in Connecticut to work as a floral and event designer, blending creative artistry with strong operational and client-focused skills. In 2020, Amanda returned to the floral industry with a renewed purpose, driven by a desire to build a business rooted in creativity, community impact, and sustainability. During this pivotal time, she founded Petals That Inspire—an innovative floral concept that reimagines the traditional florist model by combining event florals, workshops, and experiential offerings with a mission-centered approach to workforce development. Today, Petals That Inspire is a thriving social enterprise known for its thoughtful design, educational experiences, and commitment to empowering young adults facing barriers to entry in the workforce. Amanda is deeply passionate about building businesses that are both profitable and purpose-driven, and she leverages her strong business acumen to create a scalable & sustainable model that inspires creativity while giving back to the community. **What is Confidence Lab?** Confidence Lab is a monthly community experience for bold, thoughtful leaders building confidence from the inside out. Whether you’re launching a business, leading a team, navigating change, or simply striving to show up more fully—you belong here. Our work demands clarity, courage, and conviction—but the pace of daily life can erode our sense of self. Confidence Lab creates space to reflect, reconnect, and grow with others doing purpose-driven work. It’s designed for entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, corporate professionals, activists, and anyone ready to lead with authenticity and impact. ***Please note:*** *All are welcome! If cost is a concern, please use promo code PUBLIC to access a free ticket—we want you to join us.*

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.

This month, we are in-person at GameArena!!! We will also be joined by students and their games from [Shawnee State](https://www.shawnee.edu/game-design-programs)! \-\-\- Join us for our our monthly COGG Prototype and Play event @GameArena! Come to play and showcase your games. We're back in the upper levels of the catwalk mezzanine area. It'll be packed with lots of camaraderie playing your game(s) and other's games on the 2nd floor as well as the 1st floor in the gaming room below the mezzanine. Light snacks and water provided but you can buy food and drinks at the bar (alcoholic drink ID required). [https://www.game-arena.co/menu](https://www.game-arena.co/menu) **Attendees:** Don't have a game to show? Not a problem! All are welcomed and invited from all ages and backgrounds. The more we can have to play test our games the better! **Developers:** Do you have a game that you would like to get critical feedback on? Would you like an excuse to work on a game with other talented artists, programmers, musicians, designers, and writers? Digital, table-top, non-experienced developers, and the like are welcomed! We'll provide signage for your game to help others learn more about your work. Wifi, outlets, tables, and seats (though standing tables also) are available. Come to the Prototype and Play workshop to collaborate and meet local game developers for an evening of epic and raw game play fun! Play works-in-progress, show off your own game, work with others to add polish to a game, or even lend your talents to other fellow developers. Can use South Garage at the Gateway with a $5 voucher on your way out. 75 E 11th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9) If you have any questions or comments, as always, feel free to reach out to us at [info@thecogg.com!](http://info@thecogg.com!/)