Now that we’re all social distancing and creating our artwork remotely, we’ve been keeping an eye out for interesting virtual art classes, talks and groups that the Croydon community can tap into. So, we’ve gathered together just a few that you might be interested to tap into over the coming weeks.
Art Club Croydon
Art Club Croydon can usually be found once a month at First Floor Space offering inspiration, ideas and welcome chat to artists of all levels and ages. Like other groups, they’re adapting to virtual life and are still being as social as ever encouraging Croydon locals, and beyond, to continue getting creative.
On what would have been a Sunday at our space in the Whitgift Centre, this hasn’t stopped the encouragement from the Art Club team to get the community creating colourful artwork to reflect our mood of the day.
Their feed is alive with ideas to get creative and the regular snaps from their daily exercise reminds of our Croydon hometown that we love.
Follow on Instragram @artclubcroydon to find out more about the group run by the community for the community and to be inspired by like-minded people.
Lenses of Croydon
Lenses of Croydon is a South London based group for photographers of all levels who live, work or study in and around the London borough of Croydon.
Their meet ups usually take place at CVA Resource Centre, London Road, Croydon, but like many other creative groups, Lenses of Croydon are hosting a virtual version of the Croydon Photography Forum to help keep the photography community connected.
They’ve already showcased a wide range of exciting photographers providing insight and inspiration. Held on a Tuesday at 7pm, the talks are free to attend via Zoom.
Image credits: Calvin Terry Gooding @howdid.udothat, Frank Edwards @frankie_4747
Follow them on Twitter or Instagram @LensesofCroydon to get in touch about attending an event.
Sirens Life Drawing
Sirens Life Drawing was set up by artist Craig Hepworth (@Biroboyblog) and model Jo Tremelling (@violet.empire). Having switched to conducting their usual sessions in a pub to online, they offer 90mins with poses ranging from a few short 5 minute ones, building up to a longer pose of 20mins.
Uniquely, they use two cameras so you have a choice on each pose of the angle you wish to draw (also good if you find 20mins too long, you can do x2 10mins instead).
Sessions are set to a playlist and the duo encourage people to suggest tracks / artists they want to hear. Jo, the co-founder and model, is a theatre tech person by trade so the sessions are thoughtfully and expertly lit. Plus she does some amazing poses!
Drawings by @goughphotography
The sessions are held on Wednesday evening at 7pm, it costs £5 with 30% of that fee donated to the NHS. Check them out on Instagram @sirenslifedrawing
Sky TV: Portrait artist of the Week
Every Sunday from 10am until 2pm @SkyTV hosts a Facebook Live session with a portrait artist and a famous sitter. Your challenge is to paint or draw the portrait during the live session. While you concentrate you will get great snippets of conversation between the artist and their sitter giving helpful insight into how they approach a portrait. The aim is to then share your finished artwork on Instagram using #myPAOTW and the judges will pick a weekly winner. But don’t worry if you don’t finish your portrait in the 4 hours, they usually give until the end of the week to submit your work.
Images available to download here
Samira Addo, a previous Sky TV Portrait Artist of the Year, last week painted the portrait of photographer Rankin. It really is a fascinating session and a great opportunity to feel like you’re getting inside the head of the artist at work.
Art updates
Our studio may be closed right now, but do keep an eye on our blog and we’ll keep it updated with other online art activity we come across.
If you would like to share your thoughts on events you’ve enjoyed, drop us a message via social media @firstfloorspace, we'd love to hear from you!
Stay safe and keep creating <3