Residents of Church Street, Westminster, enjoyed a day-long visit to The Royal Academy of Arts on Saturday 9th January to see Earth: Art in a Changing World.  Those who attended were encouraged to participate in a series of thought-provoking discussions and to try their hand at some drawing and painting. 

After an hour looking round the exhibition, which included works by Anthony Gormley and Tracey Emin, the group returned to the workshop room for refreshments and a chance to reflect on what they had seen. 

They then took part in two art sessions, one individually and one in groups, producing works which reflected their responses to the exhibition, particularly focusing on the themes of nature and manmade destruction.
 
For most participants, it had been a long time since they last held a paintbrush, but this did nothing to hamper their enthusiasm and creativity!
 
The discussions and workshop were facilitated by innovative arts agency Creative Knowledge and the trip was generously funded by BNP Paribas, a leading European bank which is headquartered near The Greenside Community Centre.  BNP Paribas is currently a corporate sponsor of The Royal Academy of Arts.