Category Archives: Uncategorized

Join in with Fill the Light!

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Are you looking for a fun and engaging creative activity in February? Do you like hearing about sustainable art? Would you enjoy a free community event showing off your art while enjoying live music?

Look no further than Eltham Arts’ Fill the Light event! This free community event is designed to bring people together and spread joy and happiness in what can be a quieter month.

Join us at the following TALKS and WORKSHOPS which lead up to the celebratory art & music Fill The Light finale event on 17 February:

• First, there will be a Creative Practitioner Talk at Eltham Library (Archery Rd, London SE9 1HA) on Wednesday 24 January from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. The talk will be given by creative practitioners Nicola Reid, Diana Jones, and Pragya Kumar, who will discuss using natural sustainable materials to make art.

• Then, there will be Lantern-Making Workshops, also at Eltham Library, on Saturday 3 February from 10 am to 12:30 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm, and on Sunday 4 February from 12 pm to 4 pm. These are guided art sessions by professional artists to produce a beautiful lantern to bring to the Fill The Light event. We suggest one lantern to be made between two people or as a family, as it needs some team effort. Tickets are per lantern, not per person.

• Finally, the Fill the Light Celebration will take place on Saturday 17 February 2024 from 4:30 pm to 7 pm at Passey Place, Eltham SE9. The celebration will feature music, choral singing, food by local artists and performers, and of course, your lanterns. People can join in for a sing-along music performance and hold up their lanterns (and there may be some other artistic surprises along the way too!).

All events are FREE but it’s ESSENTIAL to book as space at the Talk and Workshops so we have an idea of the number of people at the event. Please book your free space for the Talk and/or Workshops via this Eventbrite link or scan this QR code:

Eltham Arts is collaborating with artist Pragya Kumar for this creative project. We are grateful to Royal Greenwich for Ward Funding for this project and to Eltham Library for their valuable contributions. Pragya’s ‘What’s on your Mind?’ project (Arts Council funded) overlaps with Fill the Light – it is a community-based, participatory arts and well being project culminating in an exhibition at Gerald Moore Gallery from 29 Feb 2024.

You can also follow Eltham Arts on social media to stay updated on the latest news and events:

Facebook – Eltham Art

Instagram – @eltham_arts

X (formerly Twitter) – @ElthamArts.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for Fill The Light and get ready to have some fun!

JOIN US! Creative Networking Evening, 15 March

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Book your FREE place via Eventbrite (click here) or by ringing Eltham Library on 020 3915 4347.

Date: Wednesday 15 March 2023

Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Location: Eltham Library, Archery Road, Eltham, London SE9 1HA (Google maps)

Are you looking to connect with like-minded individuals in your community? Would you like to expand your creative circle? If yes, then mark your calendars for 15 March and join us for a Creative Networking Evening at Eltham Library!

This free event is for anyone who is interested in the arts in Eltham and the surrounding areas within the Royal Borough of Greenwich – whether you are an artist, writer, musician, designer, or any other creative, be it professional, amateur or hoping to start, all are welcome, all ages. It is an opportunity for you to connect, collaborate, and share information about your work or interests with fellow creatives.

  • The evening will kick off at 6.30pm with the Eltham Arts AGM open to all, when you can expect to hear about what Eltham Arts has been up to.
  • A free wellbeing activity, as a taste of the wellbeing resource being launched (see below)
  • This will be followed by the launch of the Breathing Space zine, a wellbeing resource arising from the recent RGB-funded project. You can read about the Breathing Space project here.
  • Afterwards, there will be a Networking Session where you can mingle and get to know other creatives in the room. Refreshments, including some delicious light bites, will be provided to keep the conversation flowing.

So, whether you are a seasoned creative professional or hoping to start out, we encourage you to come along, make new connections and expand your creative network.

Please do book your free place so that we know numbers for the evening, especially the catering – thank you! – via Eventbrite (click here) or by ringing Eltham Library on 020 3915 4347.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Creating Connections

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At Eltham Arts, we are proud to present our new project “Creating Connections”. This is an opportunity for the entire local community to get involved to inspire others and to be inspired.

The project has been funded by Arts Council England to work with young children and senior citizens of SE9 area to address their wellbeing needs through arts. Read more …

Our project Update – The younger members have taken inspiration from the letters they received and have created their shadow puppetry stories! We hope to put these stories into a small animation/film in the new year and share it with the community through our digital platforms. We are also aware that many members of the community may not have digital access. So, to encourage their participation, we collaborated with Eltham library and hosted letter reading workshops over the phone. We are also planning to share our final outcome in a live event in February if the situation permits. Letters received through the project will be archived in the library for all members of the community to access.

We will be uploading few more letters during the Christmas break. So if you know someone – a neighbour, a friend or someone in your family who has been struggling with isolation, then pick up the phone and read them a letter. A letter can bring a smile and make someone’s day. We hope the letters bring some cheer to those who might not be able to see family and friends this Christmas.

Wish you all a calm, relaxed and safe Christmas. May the New Year bring new beginnings, hopes and aspirations for a better future.

Here is a lovely letter from one of our young writers …

Eltham’s arty summer

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Hope you managed to enjoy some of the great summer events in and around Eltham!

Just some of the events we’ve loved included:

•  the many events at the Eltham Centre Library, Severndroog Castle, Queenscroft Park and our other lovely parks and venues
•  June’s South East London Textile Festival at Woodlands Farm
•  July’s Eltham Park Festival
•  the Greenwich & Docklands International Festival events in Eltham
•  July’s Eltham Festival arts performances at Passey Place

Photo-Stall-MiriamPragyaOther-
South East London Textile Festival at Woodlands Farm, June 2019

The Eltham Arts Team is busy with exciting future plans – we’ll keep you posted. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and stay in touch.

EA-Team-June2019
Just some of the Eltham Arts team meeting earlier this year

Meanwhile, next up is this year’s Elthamread – the book is Bookworm by Lucy Mangan. Lucy will be visiting Eltham library on Tues 29th October, put the date in your diary and join in!

Eltham Arts 2013-2018 Connecting the Community through the Arts

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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.2014-GaynorInLibraryBookLaunch

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-BookCover-CelebrationElthamInVersePoetry
  • 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:Tales of Eltham front cover
  • 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: PostcardsExhib
  • 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’. End of session 1
  • 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’ GV-Article-EA-CD-Launch
  • 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 photostableau

 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. MuiscFest-Collage-Performers

 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. 24-XmasSingalong

 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.

    Eltham Arts Conference workshops
    Conference attendees discussing creativity in Eltham

 

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 HungryTums-Progress-team

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 SE9IMG_4910

Judges for the Writing on a Wall creative writing challenge!

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John Paul O’Neill

John Paul O'Neill

John Paul is a poet, writer, broadcaster, lecturer & founded & runs Farrago Poetry. He ran, the first poetry slam in the UK in 1994, the longest running in Europe and hosts regular SLAM poetry events. He has performed in Europe and USA. He has also had poetry, short stories and articles published extensively, as well as producing spoken word projects and presenting and setting up community radio shows.

A Further Education lecturer, he runs workshops for adults and children in creative writing and performance, as well as teaching English.

He has run two creative writing workshops to support the competition and inspire people to join in .

Lee Stuart Evans

Lee Stuart Evans

Lee is the author of ‘Words Best Sung’, a novel set in Nottingham and London set in the 1960s.  This was published by Arundel Books in 2017.

Originally from Nottinghamshire, Lee has lived in the Eltham area since 1998 with his wife and two sons, who go to local schools

Lee is a full-time TV and radio comedy writer.  He has written for many well known and popular programmes including 8 out of 10 cats, Little Big Shots, The Jonathan Ross Show, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and a League of their Own

 

Jo Burke

Jo Burke Author

Jo is an actor, comedian and writer. She was brought up in Eltham and attended Middle Park Primary School. She studied Theatre and Performance at Goldsmiths University and The Drama Studio, London.

​Jo has written, produced and performed five, four star, Edinburgh Festival shows and was a ‘So You Think That’s Funny?’ Finalist.

In 2015 her debut comedy book/autobiography ‘iScream’ reached No.17 on the Amazon listings . In 2016 she entered the exciting world of children’s books. Her books ‘Standing on Custard’ and ‘A Squirrel’s Tail’ are a huge hit with, children, parents and teachers

Russell Jones

Russell Jones

Russell comes from South Wales, but has lived and worked in South London for many years . After gaining a first class honours degree and later a B Ed in Education he worked extensively in Secondary Education winning the most innovative teacher in the UK in 2004. He was the Director of Performing Arts for Ark Schools until 2012.

Russell has also worked extensively in theatre both in Regional Repertory and West End. He was the Artistic Director of Soapbox Community Theatre for ten years directing and writing over 20 professional touring productions.

Russell has been the proprietor of Biscotti’s coffee and sandwich bar in Eltham for the last four years, which has a remarkable selection of movie posters on the walls.  He is a great business supporter of Eltham Arts and his café has been a venue for Eltham Arts Winter Festival arts trails. Russell is delighted to have been asked to be a judge in this exciting competition.

 

Eleanor Fitzsimons

Eleanor Fitzsimons

Eleanor lives in Dublin, but has spent time living in London and is a regular visitor. She is a researcher and writer who specialises in historical and current feminist issues. She has an MA in Women, Gender and Society from University College Dublin. In 2013 she was awarded the Keats-Shelley Essay Prize and was runner-up for the Biographers’ Club Tony Lothian Prize.

Her work has been published in a range of newspapers and journals including The Sunday Times, The Guardian, History Today and The Irish Times, and she is a regular radio and television contributor. Her book Wilde’s Woman was shortlisted for the Tony Lothian Prize in 2014 and was published by Duckworth Overlook on 16 October 2015.

Eleanor is working on a new biography of Edith Nesbit, which will be published by Duckworth Overlook in 2018. Edith Nesbit lived in Well Hall Eltham from 1899 – 1922 and wrote many of her famous books (including the Railway Children) in Eltham

 

 

Eltham Arts Winter Festival 2016 is coming!

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With the great success of the Eltham Arts Winter Festival in 2015, everyone wanted one in 2016. From Sat 29 October to Sun 20 Nov Eltham invites everyone to come along and join into a marvellous array of events in the SE9 area.

With shows at the Bob Hope Theatre , many different music concerts from opera to folk and Jazz, walks, talks , exhibitions and lots more it will be a great 23 days . We have another Song Challenge , an Art Trail and for the first time Festival Foodie events. Eltham Lights Up , with the colourful lantern parade and live entertainment will take place on 17 Nov in Eltham High St and a great time will be had by all!

We will have the Festival Opening Event from 11-3 in Passey Place, Eltham High St where you can have a good time and find out about what’s going on and a Festival Finale event at the White Hart on 20 Nov.
Watch out for details of the programme . Greenwich Visitor will again have a pull out supplement with the entire programme and map, and there will be leaflets all over the place.
So put the dates in your diary now !