Materials and tuition for young talented artists

A copy of one of Picasso's paintings by Ebony

The inspiration to form a grass root community project for Bermondsey children (3-17) stemmed from my daughter's persistent interest in drawing, sketching and painting from the age of two.  Keeping her interest focussed was easy as she had a natural interest and passion for the topic. However, one of the barriers we faced was financial as structured art lessons are expensive and difficult to access. 

For parents who cannot afford to continue to support their children's interest may result in these children not able to reach and achieve their full potential. This may sometimes result in children feeling low self esteem, devalued and turning to the streets as they get older  to explore other interests.  This may leave them at the mercy of exploiters ready to take advantage of their vulnerability and recruit them into gangs and drug trafficking. There is sufficient evidence to suggest that Art has been used as youth crime prevention. 

London boroughs are making headlines for youths carrying knives and senseless killings of teenage children.  King's college London Hospital based in the Borough of Southwark received more than three hundred incidences of stabbing in a single year. 

This is the reason why I have started this little project called "ARTiculate Club" to help fund and create an open space for all children from different ethnic backgrounds with or without any experience in drawing or painting.  This project will support them to ARTiculate their passion, thoughts, feelings and emotions into meaningful works of art, whilst adding value to their lives and visions for the future. 

This funding will go towards buying materials and paying professional tutors to teach and support them in developing their talents. This funding is needed immediately to get the project running. 


This project is an opportunity not only to promote and discover new talents but will be a forum to promote their social and interactive skills with their peers and adults, a fundamental skill for adult life.  It will also serve as an opportunity and forum where they learn to work together,  value  and respect each other.  

I have started the project at my home with a taster session on the 2nd and 3rd of March 2019 and a total of 12 children with their parents will be attending indicating there is interest in the project and more will be coming if we get the funding that we need. I have secured two art tutors who will be supporting the children's tuition and a Hall which has been given to us with free access every 2nd and 3rd Saturday in the month.

Thanks for taking your time to read about this project and for donating.

Victoria Thorpe