The Art Society operates out of a tiny, scruffy room in the Barbican’s podium, which the City of London allow them to use as it is so poorly located and overshadowed that it isn’t suitable for any purpose that would generate money.

From this unpromising location the volunteers that run the society put in place a fantastic array of classes, ranging from botanical illustration to book binding, and inviting participation from people of all levels of experience.

Joining this class has been revelatory - both by providing a challenge to my established methods for creating art, and through the opportunity it provides to engage with a huge range of interesting people (teachers, students and models).

It is a great example of the benefits that can arise from a community working together, and of the importance of pursuing an interest in creating art at all stages of life.