Haydn Orchestra January 2026

On a late Saturday afternoon in January more than a dozen artists went to St Michael's Church in Highgate to draw the Haydn Orchestra in rehearsal. Unfortunately the heating in the Church wasn't working so we were rather cold, as was the orchestra. They had to stay and perform in the evening, whereas we could slope off after the rehearsal. So well done Haydn orchestra who gave a splendid performance. We did enjoy ourselves and hope they did too.

We do love the occasion.

This is always a popular event so thank you to Alison Glaister and Pauline Treen for inviting us once again.

Our efforts are below.

Do Burgess below

Sue Lees below

Priscilla Worley below

Peter Colley below

Michelle Cowen below

Lindsay Topping below

Janet Payne below

Gafung Wong below

Diane Umemoto below

Maureen Bocking

Cathy Burkinshaw

Christian Cook below

Marni Bloor below

Tuesday 10 February: Visit to the Egyptian Galleries at the British Museum, Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG

On Tuesday 10 February Art in the Park will make our first visit to the Egyptian Galleries of the British Museum.   Spectacular ancient Egyptian sculptures as you all know.  Tricia has recently visited Egypt and we hope that she will be able to give us a few insights, and show some of her sketches.   The large statues of the various Ramesses, etc., are in the vast hall that is Room 4 on the Ground Floor.  Upstairs in Rooms 61 - 66 the focus is more on mummies and painted coffins.   Hopefully ancient Egypt will not be too full of visitors, we are avoiding both half-term and the Chinese New Year, when we understand that many Chinese visit London.   If ancient Egypt is too crowded to sketch, we can go into the adjacent rooms 6 -10 which contain the wonders of ancient Assyria, usually less crowded.

A plan of the Museum can be found here 

We will meet at 11 o'clock at point E on the Ground Floor Plan, where there is an entrance into Room 4 from the Great Court.  The entrance is opposite the Collections Shop (in the central rotunda), please do not confuse it with the two other shops in the central rotunda (The Great Court Shop and the Book Shop) which face in different directions.    Point E is the Rosetta Stone. 

In order to avoid lengthy queues it will be best to enter the Museum by the rear entrance in Montague Place.  They will probably check your bags so travel light.  A water bottle is allowed.  Entry to the main collection of the BM is free but they encourage people to buy a free ticket online, where they can also ask for a donation.  In theory ticket holders, even free ones, get through the queue system faster.   If getting a ticket, get one in advance of 11 o'clock.

A map of the location of the BM can be found here     It is close to many bus routes and several tube stations.  

Like most London museums, the BM only allows dry materials to be used, pencils, crayons, pastels, ballpoint pens.  Not sure about felt tip pens.  Stools are available, ask a member of staff as soon as possible.  No easels are allowed. 

Unless anyone has a better suggestion, we will have lunch in the Grand Court where there are long tables.

 Sue's mobile number for the day is 07975 864 142. 

 

  

 

 

 

Tuesday 10 January 2026: Visit to the Soho Theatre, Walthamstow

14 artists came along to the recently re-opened foyer-cafe of the Soho Theatre, Walthamstow.  We were only allowed to sit in this part of the Theatre, which is a community facility, but we found enough to draw in this large space.   (Only two of our party decided to go and have a look at the William Morris house and garden up the road, their images are the final ones.)   In fact, for a winter venue, the foyer was very good:  interesting deco architecture, views up the stairs, cafe staff behind a counter, and ourselves scattered around sitting at tables, warmth, loos, cups of coffee.   Only one of  us painted the Moorish facade derived from old-town Granada, most of us chose aspects of the decor, and some people sketched members of the group, you may recognise some individuals.

Local resident and sketcher Diana Marshall then guided us to lunch at L'hirondelle Kitchen, down the road in the High street, where we had delicious lunches, at very reasonable prices, with charming attention from the staff.  A very enjoyable and productive day out.

Please remember about our sketching session with the Haydn Chamber Orchestra in St Michael's Church, Highgate, on Saturday 31 January, please arrive by 2.15 so as not to disturb the rehearsal.   Details in previous post.

Our February outing will be on Tuesday 10 February when we will visit the Egyptian hall at the British Museum, details to follow.

Meanwhile, please enjoy our Walthamstow images.

Image above by Ruijun Hu

   Image above by Priscilla Worley 

                                                                                                                                                     

  

Image above by Janet Payne

Image above by Sue Lees

Image above by Betty Wang

 

Image above by Gafung Wong

Two images above by Audrey Rapier

Image above by Sue Loder

Image above by Diana Marshall

Image above by Diana Butement

Image above by Sue Lees

  

Image above by Diana Marshall 

 And finally, two images of the William Morris Gallery and canal

Image above by Peter Colley

Image above by Janet Perkins