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

 

 

 

 

The Haydn Orchestra on Saturday 31 January

 Hello Artists,

Once again we have an opportunity to draw the Haydn Orchestra in rehearsal. The rehearsal starts at 2.30 on the afternoon of the concert and the concert is at 7.30 at St Michael's Church in Highgate. Thank you Alison Glaister and Pauline Treen for offering us this opportunity. Do remember to wrap up warm and try to be there in good time so as not to disturb the rehearsal.

St Michael's Church, South Grove, N6 6BJ

The nearest underground is Highgate, a 22 min walk away. Archway Station is probably a better stop with buses running up the hill to Highgate. The 214 and 263 buses stop in Highgate.

Programme        Brahms Piano Concerto No 1

                           Soloist  Charles Owen

                           Beethoven Symphony N0 7    

 Conductor         Trevor Pinnock

Don't forget the Soho Theatre in Walthamstow on Tuesday 20 January at 11 am. 

Pictures for posting from the Haydn Orchestra to me janetat48ock@hotmail.com. This is a one off, normally Sue or Tricia will be posting.

See you there

Janet

Tuesday 20 January 2026: Soho Theatre, WALTHAMSTOW, 186 Hoe Street, London E17 4QH

On Tuesday January 20  we will be visiting the cafe of the Soho Theatre Walthamstow.  Artists who are robust may like to sketch the dramatic front facade outside as it is inspired by Moorish Spain (the Victorian Music Hall was transformed into a Granada cinema in 1930).  The building was closed for around 20 years and has only recently been restored and reopened as a cultural hub by Waltham Forest Council.   There is a large publicly-accessible art deco cafe where we can sketch, consuming hot drinks, pastries, etc., and we may be able to sit in the foyer and the bars.   The building should be pretty empty in the mornings.   For images and more information please look here    The auditorium is an astonishing Moorish extravaganza, but is likely to be closed. 

We will meet inside the theatre at 11 o'clock.   

The theatre is five minutes' walk from Walthamstow Central Station, on the Victoria Line, and the London Overground.  Many buses stop nearby, including the numbers 34, 97, 215, 275, 357, and 675.

We have a second event in January, once again we have kindly been invited to come and draw the Haydn Chamber Orchestra during its rehearsal in St Michael's, Highgate, at 2.30 on Saturday 31 January.   The concert will be at 7.30 that evening, and they will be playing Brahms Piano Concerto Number 1, Soloist Charles Owen, and the Beethoven Symphony Number 7.  Should be stunning.    

In the meantime before these delights, have a very happy Christmas and New Year.

Sue's telephone number for the day will be 07975 864 142. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art in the Park visit to the Conservatory, Broomfield Park 

18 November 2025

 

We were offered a treat this month. The Victorian Conservatory in Broomfield Park was opened just for us by Louise Howard, the Treasurer of Islington Art Society and a volunteer in the Conservatory. Many thanks Louise.

There were few leaves left on the trees as we walked through the park. It was a chilly but bright day after an early morning frost: the edge of autumn turning to winter. The Conservatory was lush and warm and there was the sound of trickling water accompanying our work.

Eighteen artists gathered to draw and paint, scattered throughout the space.

Lunch was excellent. Room was found for all of us at 90 on the Green, Alderman’s Hill.

 

Sue Loder	Louise Howard
Diane Umemoto
Diane Umemoto	Gill Steiner
Sue Lees
Sue Lees
Priscilla Worley
Peter Colley
Janet Perkins	Janet Payne
Tricia Sharpe	Betty Wang
Ruijan Hu
Diana Marshall	David Gilbert
Diana Butement	David Gilbert
Steve Betts
GaFung Wong	Avis Dennis

Tuesday 18 November: Visit to The Conservatory, Broomfield Park, London N13 4HE

 On Tuesday 18 November we have kindly been invited to come and paint in the Conservatory in Broomfield Park in Palmers Green by a member of the Conservatory Committee who is also the Treasurer of the Islington Art Society, Louise Howard.  

The Conservatory will be open just for us. It is a lovely space: in the middle tall yukas, flowers of paradise that are in flower, rocks etc and a small pond with fish; and plants on staging round the edges that are grouped - cactus, begonias etc and currently exotic bromeliads that are starting to flower in vibrant colours.   More details here:   The Conservatory is somewhere in the middle of the park between the tennis courts and the ponds.

Photos by Tricia:

 Louise is kindly going to organise some chairs for us, but we suggest you bring your sketching stools as there may not be enough chairs or in exactly the place you want. 

There is a loo in the park, and the small outdoor cafe in the park opens at 11.00 and you can get coffee and cakes.   For lunch, we have been recommended 90 On the Green, which is at 90 Alderman's Hill just outside the park.     

Getting to Palmers Green ..... 

Palmers Green station is about 2 mins from the park. Trains are only every 30 mins though so check Great Northern for times. Trains start at Moorgate, and you need the trains going to Stevenage via Hertford North. Trains to Welwyn use the same line up to Ally Pally so don't get on the wrong train! You can change from the Victoria line at Highbury (easy) or the Piccadilly line at Finsbury Park (very many stairs!).Out of PG station, turn right. 

Tube - best bet is Southgate on the Piccadilly line. Buses are at the back of the station. Get either the W6 or 121 and they travel along Aldermans Hill. Get off when you see the shops on the left. the park is opposite. About 10 mins. 

Or tube/bus to Turnpike Lane or Wood Green and get the 121 to Enfield Island Village. Also 329 to Enfield but get off at Palmers Green Triangle and walk up Aldermans Hill.  About 20 - 25 mins depending on traffic.    

Sue's telephone number for the day will be:  07975 864142.