let's go on a tree walk

Every few months Elizabeth and I cycle along to  the Chisenhale Gallery for  their Coffee Morning for local parents where we serve up marmalade cakes and oaty biscuits and have a lovely time pouring out drinks, chatting and admiring the babies and toddlers.  We also have a chance to see the exhibitions and this week we loved Mariana Castillo Deball's "What we caught we threw away, and what we didn't catch we kept", a series of paper tree casts, made in Mexico, Costa Rica, Berlin and Scotland.  Pop in  if you have time - the pieces are captivating and the light and airy space is just right to show off the work.

You can also come on a complentary tree walk in Victoria Park this Saturday 15th June, a lovely way to learn about the diverse range of trees in the park.  Starting at Chisenhale Gallery at 2pm, the walk will be led by Richard Lambert from Trees for Cities and will end around 4pm at the Pavillion Cafe in the park.  All ages are welcome. Sounds like a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

where the heart is

copyright Dorothy Lloyd Magic Me

55+ Local women needed for "where the heart is" arts project 

Every year, local charity, Magic Me partners with The Women's Library and 

Mulberry School for Girls to work on an arts project. Magic Me needs local older 

women that are over 55 to get involved in this year's project, Where the 

Heart Is. You will explore stories of love in the East End with experienced 

Magic Me artists. Using film, theatre and story telling techniques as a group 

you will design a walk of the area drawing from your stories. The final artwork 

will be presented as part of this year's LIFT Festival. 

Sessions start on the Wednesday 22nd February from 2-3:30pm, and then 

every Wednesday from 3:30-5:30pm at The Women's Library. 

For more information call Clea on 020 3222 6064 or email cleahouse@magicme.co.uk

snippets

The vile weather did not put a dampener on our Life Drawing workshop this week. It was wonderful to watch everyone's pieces come together as we followed in Matisses' footsteps creating collage pictures of our model. Thanks to Kate Hardy for running yet another great session and thanks also to Amanda for being our model. Kate's sessions are always very relaxed and she has a brilliant way of bringing people's creativity out even when they are convinced they don't have any.

We also managed to collect some newspapers, pens, blankets and towels for the Celia Hammond Animal Trust in Canning Town. They are always in desperate need for these things as they get through many more than they can afford to purchase. CHAT is an animal hospital, animal shelter and vet clinic offering low priced veterinary care to those who cannot afford vet's fees but who do not necessarily fit into the low income bracket served by other charities. They also have hundreds of cats, kittens, dogs and puppies that need a home.

EEWI will continue to collect these items so please do bring whatever you have to the next meeting. That also goes for your old bras which we have begun collecting again for the charity Knickers4Africa.

We recognise that you may feel a little daft with a bag full of old bras, old newspapers and old blankets but its all in a good cause!

come drawing

We'll be welcoming Kate Hardy on 16th February for another life drawing class. Our last session with Kate was brilliant and we are looking forward to seeing her again to brush up our skills. We'll be meeting as usual at 7.30pm for a prompt 8pm start at Chisenhale Art Gallery. Free to members, £3 entry for non-members. Tea and coffee will be provided though you are welcome to bring a bottle or share your baking too if you wish. All materials will be provided on the night, so no need to bring your pencil sharpeners.

We hit the road for our 19th February coffee morning for an exclusive visit to the new Ministry of Food exhibition where we will see our jam and pickle among the exhibits! Please make your own way to the Imperial War Museum to arrive by 9.30am (map here). This should be a great exhibition - for a quick taste, visit the IWM's Ministry of Food blog.

Looking forward to seeing you.

art for everyone

Sarah Blanks

If you have time, pop in to the Arts Pavilion in Mile End Park this week and see the Art for Everyone exhibition of work by people from Tower Hamlets classes. There's a real variety of work, including some great work from young people with learning difficulties and disabilities. It's open until Friday 24th. And it's free.

PS Don't forget we'll be at Park Life this coming Sunday selling teas and cakes.

june meetings

We've gone all arty and earthy. Our next evening meeting at 8pm on 16th June 2009 will be a life drawing class. No need to bring your pencils or paintbrushes- all will be supplied on the night. Do bring a bottle of wine to share if you have one spare though and home made nibbles are always welcome. Usual place - Chisenhale Gallery.

Our June coffee morning will be on Friday 26th June at 10.30 am at the Frizzante cafe at Hackney City Farm at Goldsmith's Row, map here.

Come and make it a hen party.

EEWI @ Whitechapel Art Gallery

Our May coffee morning was at the beautifully refurbished Whitechapel Art Gallery. Welcomed by the charming and helpful cafe staff, there was much interest in our scoring of their home made brownies, unanimously voted as the most delicious cakey offering (9/10). All this and the bonus of Goshka Macuga's installation with the beautiful and moving tapestry of Picasso's Guernica.

Thanks, Whitechapel. We hope you'll have us back again.