About

History

Started as an Art Club for Barbican residents in 1998 with John Griffiths finding the facilities which we still use. Renamed as the Barbican Art Society in 2012 with a formal constitution, and then registered as a Charity in 2015. There are currently four Tutors who run regular classes and around 40 - 50 students attend each term. We are adding more classes in 2023

Facilities in the Art Room

The art room has stocks of basic materials for students to use while they are in class - large sheets of paper, pencils, charcoal, pastels, basic paints and brushes. Students are expected to provide their own specialist materials. Guidance is given for what will be required for each class, but we strongly advise students to only purchase basic or essential materials to start with. There is a list of local art supply shops on the dropdown below:

There is a wide range of books on art and artists for tutors and class members to refer to.

Coffee and tea are provided and there is usually a refreshment break during the class. Cleaning materials are available.

UPDATED 2023 - Local Art Shops & Online Art Suppliers:

We are happy to have your local recommendations! We have recently lost our local Framing shop in Clerkenwell Road so please tell us if you know of another you would be happy to recommend. There are many more online Art equipment suppliers if you want to shop around for the best prices.

Stuart R Stevenson: http://www.stuartstevenson.co.uk/ (Local Independent Art Shop friendly and helpful)

London Graphic Centre: https://www.londongraphics.co.uk/about (Covent Garden Art Shop & Online Supplier)

Cass Art: https://www.cassart.co.uk/customer/pages/aboutuspage (Online supplies + Islington Art shop)

Cowling & Wilcox https://www.cowlingandwilcox.com/stores (Online supplies + Shoreditch Art shop)

Great Art: https://www.greatart.co.uk/london-shoreditch/ (Online supplies + Shoreditch Art shop)

Art Discount: https://artdiscount.co.uk/pages/artdiscount-own-brand-range (Online only)

Fletcher Gallery Services: https://www.fletcherframes.co.uk/ (Museum Quality Art Framing & Mounting)

A.Bliss: https://abliss.co.uk/service/introduction/ (Specialist Mounting)

Newframes: https://newframes.co.uk/ (Frames to order)

Southbank Art Co: https://southbankart.co.uk/collections/nielsen-readymade-frames (Frames to order)

bookartbookshop: http://www.bookartbookshop.com/ (Shop in Islington - Artist books, bookbinding materials)

Shepherds: https://store.bookbinding.co.uk/store/ (Online and Shop in Victoria - for Bookbinding, fine paper, courses)

Accessibility

The Art room is reached by a stair from Podium level. Alternative lift access is available for residents with a key. Access from the car park is step free. We have a kitchen area and WC but these are not suitable for wheelchair access.