Happy New Year - What’s On at BArtS in 2026
Hello, fellow Bartists and Bartisans. A happy new year to you all. We hope you’ve enjoyed a refreshing break and good times with family and friends. As January ticks on, we know you’ll be looking forward to getting back in the groove of creative practice and reconnecting with your studio group friends. More making art together - that’s our resolution for 2026.
We are pretty thrilled to announce that our current membership stands at 390, which is a handsomely large number of people who are keen to belong to BArtS. Being a member of BArtS is about both receiving and giving support - that’s what makes it so rewarding. On your marks and get set for a new year of creativity, connection and community. Here’s what’s coming, down the track.
Events in 2026
This year we will be holding six Members’ Drinks Events (every second month) combined with Studio Group Show and Tell sessions. In case you missed these last year, Studio Group Show and Tell events involve a small exhibition of work by a studio group with those members on hand to chat about what they do. It’s a great chance for other BArtS members to learn more about the different studio groups. Our Welcome to 2026 Members’ Drinks will be held on February 20th at 5pm — save the date and we hope to see you there.
Online Resources & WhatsApp Groups
Most Studio Groups have their own WhatsApp group to keep members up to date with activities. We also have a general BArtS WhatsApp group where important information is shared.
NEW: BArtS Marketplace WhatsApp Group
This new group is for buying, selling, and sharing opportunities within our community.
If you’d like to be added to any of these WhatsApp groups:
Make sure you are signed up to WhatsApp
Email info@blackheathart.com with your mobile number. Let us know which WhatsApp group/s you want to join. We’ll take care of the rest.
Help Shape the Future of BArtS
You’ll notice a poster on the BArtS wall calling for ideas about what BArtS means to you. We’ll be using what members write on the poster to help craft a Mission and Values Statement for the future. We’d love it for every one of you to chime in here with your thoughts and feelings.
Christmas Market Success
The second ever BArtS Christmas Market in December was a cracker - well-attended, and with good sales for people who took part. And, here’s some further tidings of comfort and joy - it’s shaping up to become a permanent fixture on the BArtS calendar.
Call out for people to join a new Studio Group
Anne Lemon is looking for anyone interested in forming a Plein-Air Studio Group. Like all studio groups, there is no instruction — just a group of like-minded individuals working on their own projects. If there’s one thing better than making art together, it’s making art together in the great outdoors.
If you’d like to be a part of a plein-air studio group or if you’d like more information, please contact Anne Lemon via info@blackheathart.com.
Being part of a studio group is a great way to form and deepen social connections. Touch base, have a chat, make things beside someone also making things. Studio groups are fun to be involved with and there are many to choose from. Check out all other studio groups currently on offer on the BArtS website.
Housekeeping - pitch in, feel good
As you know, BArtS is entirely run by volunteers. Yes, we do have a cleaner once a week for bathrooms, the office and the floors, which helps maintain a kind of baseline level of clean - but, every time we use the building, there’s stuff that needs cleaning and tidying. This bit is up to every one of us, and it’s not at all hard when everyone shares the load.
So, whenever you are about, you can contribute by:
Emptying bins, if they’re getting full
Bringing bins in, if they’re empty and on the street
Washing and putting away your dishes
Throwing out anything suspiciously furry in the fridge
Cleaning up after yourself
Returning items to where you found them
Watering plants if they look thirsty
Cheers for your bright and shiny contributions, good people.
Warm regards,
The BArtS Team