We all have busy schedules, so it is important we use those golden pockets of leisure time wisely. Diving headfirst into the arts can invigorate you and get those creative juices flowing when you do go back to work. In the vast capital that is London, the possibilities really are endless. Nevertheless, here are 10 ideas to get you started.
- Spray It, Don’t Say It
Fancy dabbling in some legal vandalism? Look no further than The Alternative London who hosts the crème-de-la-crème of London’s street-art adventures. They hold graffiti workshops for all abilities and provide walking tours of Shoreditch’s art scene (if being hands-on isn’t your thing). A 2.5-hour class based in their studios in East London is just £30 and can be pre-booked online. Pre-prepared stencils and an expert are always on hand and, for a small additional fee, you can take home your own canvas or bag of your artwork.
For a spectacle that is free-of-charge, you can visit the longest graffiti wall in London, a tunnel that links the South Bank area to the Lower Marsh. Superb original artwork adorns the walls, including creations by Banksy himself.
2. Get Potty
Still not potty trained? Then it’s time for a visit to The Kiln Rooms in Peckham. Taster sessions are available for first-timers each Sunday, where you will be taught how to work with clay — creating, decorating, moulding and glazing. You will be introduced to ‘throwing on a wheel’ as well as more delicate hand-building skills. Alternatively, you can jump right into a four-week course or advanced classes. Warning — you will definitely get your hands dirty with this one.
3. Let There Be Light
Up there with the most Instagram-able attractions in London is God’s Own Junkyard in Walthamstow, London — a psychedelic treasure trove of neon signs. For anyone wanting to capture creative photos, God’s Own Junkyard won’t disappoint. The collection includes disco balls, retro signs, circus lighting, and former film props, which illuminate the walls and floor. There are, quite literally, thousands to choose from and many are available to hire. Many of the lights have been used in famous films such as Eyes Wide Shut, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Batman. It’s no wonder the founder Chris Bracey has been endowed with the title ‘neon man’ for over 37 years. If you need to put your feet up, they even have their own café, stocked with food and drinks, fittingly called The Rolling Scones Café.
4. Print. Print. Print.
Want to be the next Andy Warhol? Then pop into East London for a visit to London Print Club for a beginner’s workshop in some serious screen printing. Get squeegee-familiar and create your own bespoke design on a poster, t-shirt or tote bag. Why pay ludicrous amounts of money for prints you could make yourself?
5. Get into the Swing of Things
Straddle the bridge between sport and art with a Swinging dance session. London’s one-stop-shop for all things Swing has to be Swing Patrol, which pops up in several locations across the capital, hosting dozens of classes a week. The genres to explore include Lindy Hop, Shag, Blues and Balboa. Classes are a mere £10 per person and range in ability from experienced dancers to swing-virgins. So even if you suffer from two left feet, there’s no reason to give this one a miss.
6. Art Imitates Life
Ever heard of a glow-in-the-dark life drawing class? Probably not, right? Well, it might be the experience you never knew you needed. Neon Naked is a modern, vibrant take on the classical practice of life drawing. The models become all the more dimensional with reactive body paints, extravagant accessories, UV light and movement, which brings the colours to life. It does not simply entail putting pen to paper; fluorescent neon pastels and highlighters make your work jump off the page. The dark backdrop to the luminous models gives an electric feel to the evening. A drink at the bar is included in the ticket price: just under £27.
7. Act it Out
Flex your acting skills and become a movie star for the night. Secret Cinema hosts immersive events where you can dress up and play a character on their glamorous film sets. Get creative with your attire at their Stranger Things event with some serious ’80s colour blocking. Share the spotlight with the main cast, watch and participate as mysteries unfold. Or wait out until their summer Dirty Dancing event if the ’60s are more your thing. Each season brings a new spectacle to sink your teeth into.
8. Visit an Exhibit
Being ‘artsy’ is not just about producing art, it’s about appreciating it. A classic exhibition visit can be enough to enliven your inner artist. The permanent exhibits at the V&A, TATE and British Museum are always available. However, there are a number of limited exhibitions available now and in the coming months that you don’t want to miss out on. For surrealist fans Picasso and Paper are available now at the Royal Academy of Arts, for street-art admirers Richard Hambleton’s ‘Shadowman’ is available at the Maddow Gallery, and for fantastical photography, Tim Walker’s collection of photographs, ‘Wonderful Things’, is available until March 22nd at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
If you’re all booked up in the coming months, a great resource for all the latest exhibits can be found on Visit London’s art page.
9. Paint and Sip
Start with a blank canvas at Paint Republic –leaders in the ‘paint and sip’ industry. Their nights entail grabbing food and drinks at their resident bar before sitting down to paint your own creation. The artistically challenged are welcomed and they provide a relaxed environment with music to get those creative juices flowing. Tickets cost £25 a pop which includes all the necessary materials. They host both public and corporate events — this one is great for groups.
10. Get Blingy Wit’ It
If splattering paint isn’t your cup of tea, metalwork maybe your medium. The Workbench is a great place for both men and women to wax-carve their own gold and silver rings. The price for these tickets is certainly more premium, but then so are the precious metals. If rings aren’t gonna cut it, Kat&Bee holds workshops in East London for a range of accessories, and discounts are available if you decide to bring along friends.
