Eltham Arts was founded by Gaynor Wingham in Aug 2013 following a successful community poetry competition ‘Celebrate Eltham in Verse’ which highlighted what a proud and creative community lives in Eltham and the SE9 area.

The aim was to connect the community through the arts. It has been a huge success and it is a good time to reflect and celebrate the last five years of Eltham Arts.  A small team of unpaid volunteers have achieved all of this with the support and love from the local community.

Creative Community Challenges

• 2013 A Celebration of Eltham in Verse – Local writers invited to write poems to celebrate Eltham, Awards event for all ages on World Book Night. A published book with a book launch. An exhibition of entries:
• 2014 Tales of Eltham – Local writers invited to write short stories on the theme of ‘Eltham’ Awards event for all ages on World Book Night. A published book with a book launch. An exhibition of entries:
• 2015 Postcards from Eltham – Local artists invited to design a postcard about Eltham. Awards event for all ages on World Book Night. Published postcards. An exhibition of entries:
• 2016 Eltham Arts Song Challenge – Local singer/songwriters invited to write and perform songs on the theme of ‘Winter’. Album produced and launched ‘Aspects of Winter – the Eltham Collection’.
• 2017 Eltham Arts Song Challenge – local singer/songwriters invited to write and perform songs on the theme of ‘a culinary nature’. Album produced and launched ‘A Plateful of Songs – the Eltham Menu’
• 2018 Writing on a Wall – Local writers invited to write poems and short stories on the theme of WALLs in our lives. Awards night for all ages on World Book Night
• 2018 Eltham Arts Song Challenge – Songs Across a Wall. Local singer/songwriters invited to write and perform songs on the theme of ‘WALL’ All day live music event in Passey Place, Eltham High St

 Eltham Arts Winter Festivals

• For 23 days in November 2015 and 2016 produced two wonderful festivals with involvement of a huge number of local groups and individuals from Eltham and SE9. In 2015 there were over 120 events and over 150 in 2016. With music, theatre, exhibitions, an art trail, roving poets and many other events.
• The Winter Festival involved thousands of local people in organising and attending events in their local area and to feel part of a thriving community
• Terrific opening events in Passey Place and closing events in the White Hart pub. A great success.
• Eltham Arts organised a wonderful professional opera evening in 2016 as part of the Festival

 Eltham Music Festival in Passey Place and July is … Eltham Music Month

• 2014 Eltham Music Festival – Four Saturdays of live music in July by local musicians and choirs. Eltham Arts designed and publicised the programme with Royal Greenwich Regeneration staff
• 2015, 2016 and 2017 Three Saturdays of live music in July by local musicians and choirs. Eltham Arts designed the programme with Royal Greenwich Regeneration staff and provided most of the publicity!
• 2016 and 2017 ‘July is … Eltham Music Month’ programme drawn up and promoted with music events organised all over Eltham, including in the parks, pubs, heritage buildings and churches. The 2016 programme was supported by Eltham Ward Councillor funding.

 Xmas Festive Fun

• 2015, 2016, 2017 Charity Carol singing in the Eltham Centre
• 2014, 2015 Charity Carol singing in the White Hart Pub
• 2014 Step in Christmas musical event. A first Xmas event for the newly reopened Severndroog Castle with Eldorado Extra.

 Arts talks and conference

• 2014 Eltham Entertains – Five evenings of excellent talks and discussions on arts topics in Eltham Library
• 2014 to date Linked authors to talk at Eltham Library and promoted local authors.
• 2014 ‘Developing the Arts in Eltham. Free conference for the community with speakers and workshop groups to develop the Five Big Ideas.

  

Wall project 2017/2018 – multi media project involving all the community

• Over the Wall and Far Away – mural on vacant shopfront in New Eltham which became the focal point for their Xmas lights celebrations
• The Acting Class films. Organised a showing of an award-winning film at Bob Hope Theatre about class barriers in the acting profession
• Writing on a Wall – creative writing competition. Poetry and short stories all ages. Awards night
• Songs Across a wall challenge. Invited singer/songwriters to write songs on a WALL theme. All day event July 2018 in Passey Place Eltham
• Bricks on the Wall – inviting the community to be part of a community wall project. Bricks produced in all types of media by all ages. Organised first Arts Award for y1 pupils at Haimo School.
• WALL exhibition planned Sept/Oct at SE9 Container Gallery

Support for local groups / individuals /regeneration

• Set up a large arts network all over Eltham and SE9 for individuals to make links
• Provides venues and information and a platform to enable musicians to showcase and build a business.
• Social Media support to celebrate and promote what’s going on in Eltham and the SE9 area, Eltham arts local network members and businesses. Over 3200 twitter followers and active Facebook account. Newsletters, leaflets and posters.
• Raised money for local and national charities and supported local fundraisers.
• Eltham Arts awards 2016 to the White Hart, Eltham Library and SE9 Container Gallery.
• ‘Life in Eltham’ monthly arts column in the Greenwich Visitor by Gaynor Wingham since Dec 2013 and features by Gaynor and others.
• Partners in the redevelopment and regeneration of Eltham High St. Supported the development of Passey Place for community use.
• Partners in community projects (e.g. Age Uk B&G Silver Sunday Yarnstorming )
• Worked with the local police to organise the Eltham Park Festival in July 2017, bringing arts and music to the festival
• Links with Eltham New Zealand since 2013. Hosted guests Sept 2017 and they have also organised similar projects inspired by us in their community to celebrate Eltham in Verse and the WALL project. Linked the two libraries in the UK and NZ.
• Membership of GAVS, South Greenwich Forum and Eltham Town Centre partnership.
• Set up stalls with free activities at local festivals
• The Eltham Arts team attend many events provided by local partners, using social media to promote.
• Help individuals to set up social media and support their initiatives
• Encourage fun and creativity in Eltham and SE9