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‘Tuesdays at Dalston Curve Garden’ Exhibition Launch

Saturday 25 February 12.30-1.30pm and 3-4pm

If you’ve recently walked along Dalston Lane, or passed by on the bus, you may have noticed a number of photographic portraits, located high up on the wall immediately outside the Garden and in the windows of a number of nearby shops, venues and community organisations. They are all part of the ‘Tuesdays at Dalston Curve Garden’ exhibition, which shines a light on a very special group of people.

The portraits are by photographers Sandra Keating and Erola Arcalís who have been documenting this group since 2020 and the exhibition has been curated by the Garden’s team, in consultation with the members of the group.

The Tuesday group grew out of the programme of daily community mornings set up by the Garden in 2020, to counter the social isolation caused by the pandemic restrictions. The silver lining from what was a terrible time for so many people, has been the emergence of this amazing group of people. In the beginning, the only thing we knew that these individuals had in common was that they were all aged over 50 and that many of them lived alone. Since then the group have shared laughter, tears and joy, good moods and bad moods, and life stories. Now over 100 people regularly come together, all year round, to experience the tranquillity of the Garden, to take part in creative activities, to enjoy nutritious food, and most of all to build friendships.

This Saturday 25 February we will be celebrating the launch of the ‘Tuesdays at Dalston Curve Garden’ exhibition, with two free events. Erola Arcalís will describe her experience and thoughts about taking these photographic portraits and members of the Garden’s ‘Tuesdays’ creative team will talk about the story of the group. There will be lots of time for questions.

The talks will begin just outside the Garden, in front of the portrait wall, opposite the Hackney Peace Carnival Mural before moving inside to the Garden’s Pineapple House.

Places for each talk are free but limited, so booking is essential. You can book via the links below:

Saturday 25 February, 12.30-1.30pm: Book Here

Saturday 25 February, 3-4pm: Book Here

The ‘Tuesdays at Dalston Curve Garden’ exhibition and talks have been supported by Hackney Council’s Hackney High Street Fund.

Botanical Still Life Drawing Workshop

Sunday 26 February 12.30-2pm and 2.30-4pm

Join artist Rosemary Kirton at the Curve Garden for a relaxed still life drawing workshop, to capture the beauty of the Garden’s early spring flowers.

In these sessions you will draw a still life botanical spring arrangement, guided by Rosemary. There will be additional, optional simple exercises and drawing challenges.

Rosemary writes, “Drawing and painting flowers has an extensive tradition within art and I enjoy drawing those I receive or arrange as a way to capture the beauty and joy they brought me so fleetingly and to understand space, colour, tone and form.”

All of the drawing materials will be provided and you will be able to take your drawings you create home with you at the end of the workshop.

These workshops are designed for adults and for young people over 14 years of age, who must be accompanied by an adult.

The sessions will take place inside the cosy Pineapple House and our Cafe will be open selling hot drinks and mulled wine and cider.

Places for each workshop are free, but limited, so booking is essential. You can book via the links below:

Sunday 26 February 12.30 – 2pm: Book here

Sunday 26 January, 2.30 – 4pm: Book here

These workshops are supported by Hackney Council’s Hackney High Street Fund.