What are the aims of Art Group Wanstead?

To promote amateur and professional artists, craftspeople and their work;
To help artists to network;
To promote art classes, talks, clubs and demonstrations;
To make Wanstead even more interesting, friendly and vibrant;
To bring more people to our high street and local businesses (where they can frequently see our art);
To build a stronger local community.
Art Group Wanstead (AGW) has an Annual General Meeting and occasional meetings, which are informal and welcoming. Some are held in the evening at Wanstead House Community Association. And some are more casual get-togethers, usually in Wanstead cafes. Days and times vary so that they can suit different members.

The group was founded in 2011 to organise Wanstead art trails each September, for members to show and sell their work in shops and premises. Actors Meera Syal and Kulvinder Ghir helped launch the group at The George pub. Up to 85 venues took part in each of the future trails. Organising it was a huge and complex undertaking. We stopped at covid time. Perhaps in the future, a small group of members will want to re-establish an art rail. But we decided to focus on smaller, easier-to-organise events and opportunities at various times of the year. We are very well supported by Stow Bros estate agent and the Wanstead Village Directory magazine.

What else has the group done? Organised exhibitions, displays, sales, art and craft fairs and parties, independent pop-up shops (including the borough’s very first!) and other pop-up events. Some members have made contacts leading to new business or outlets for their work; others have met business partners through the group. AGW has gained an enormous amount of publicity for its members’ work.

AGW is also happy to promote other local art groups or clubs and their events. It’s reciprocal: we ask that they do the same for us.

In these rather difficult times, the group helps lift people’s spirits and confidence. And we avoid charging membership fees by asking everyone to get involved in helping the group in some way.

What else can AGW do? Pretty much anything, as long as you can work with other members to make it happen.You might want to organise an art show in a London gallery, attend talks or demonstrations, arrange outings, discover local events and fairs to participate in or simply meet other artistically minded people from the area. Members exhibitions and events can be promoted on this site. Obviously, if you organise an event it’s essential that you follow the group’s ethos (as set out in the constitution). We are determined to maintain a safe, welcoming and positive environment for members.

What does AGW need? People with useful skills, and those willing to learn and help. At present we need to find someone capable of handling this website when lovely Patrick Purcell steps down (he has been running it and doing much more since the group was founded). We need more event photographers, and graphic designers who can work well within a group. Organisers and curators are sometimes needed for events.