SharedCity

18/10/2026

09/10/2026

Sometimes going to a new workshop is scary even if it's free and local.

This post is to tell you not to worry.

Everyone is welcome, there is no expectation that participants will produce artistic masterpieces .

We want you to slow down, observe the buildings we are in, take a pencil in your hand and make mindful marks on paper. Take your work home or recycle, it doesn't matter: the point is being there and making space to sit, look, create.

The sessions start with grounding hand exercises, shoulder rolls and taking a breath to get centered. We move onto guided mark making, before giving you the opportunity to choose how to spend the rest of the session. If you want tips on drawing accurately we can help, and if you want to try mindful colouring we have sheets for that.

It's a flexible session and easy for anyone of any age to join in.

If you want to know more, please ask 💕

06/10/2026

Thanks to Wates for supporting our initiative to bring communities closer by sketching together inside faith venues in Ealing Road, Wembley.

This extraordinary temple took 14 years to build and each stone was hand carved in India, and shipped to London to be constructed on site, like a giant puzzle. There are 50 deities inside and no surface is unadorned. It really is breathtaking both inside and out.

Our group sketched inside and made wax rubbings of the carving on the exterior walls.

Our next sketching date at this temple is on Tuesday 03 November - would you like to join us? Link to book is in our bio.

Free, open to all.

29/09/2026

This Sunday come along to sketch in an Albanian mosque.

Open to all, no previous experience required.

We are opening up faith spaces for more creativity.

Free, space limited. Book now.

11/02/2026

If you love discovering more about London's history, looking at our research into Chinese heritage in Brent will be right up your street.

The Chinese New Year in 2026 brings us the Year of the Horse. Beginning next week, the spirit of the Horse brings with it vibrant energy, adventure, and transformation, following last year's more introspective Year of the Snake.

If you go to the link in our bio, you can learn more about the adventurous and dynamic Chinese migrants who travelled across the world and built families and businesses in London. You'll discover a whole treasure trove of untold stories that show how the Chinese community is endlessly resourceful and has played a big part in making made this corner of London a really special multicultural hub.

22/01/2026

We kicked off our 'Sketch & Connect' series today in the beautiful prayer hall at the Al Khoei Centre.

We were joined by local people who booked to come. Many were visiting a mosque for the first time and were bowled over by the beautiful spaces, the hospitality & kindness. We had tea & biscuits & sweet treats galore!

Students & teachers from Al Sadiq & Al Zahra schools also joined us to draw and mingle. They produced some beautiful work.

Things we learned:
- The building on Chevening Rd was originally built in 1905 as a synagogue (and became a prayer hall much later)
- Worshippers pray on special stones from Karbala in Iraq (other natural objects can be used too). They are placed under the forehead when prostrate.
- Arabic calligraphy on the walls inside the mosque is an artform - but even the teachers find it difficult to read
- Floral & geometric are the two main types of Islamic art
- Drawing with two pencils in one hand (like chopsticks!) makes passable Arabic calligraphy - or nice ribbon-y shapes
- Persian carpets are very warm underfoot
- Rubbing wax crayons on tiles is fun & makes interesting art

07/11/2025

Our project to find out more about local Chinese heritage over the last few months has been so intriguing. We met wonderful people, learned a lot about Empire, politics and migration - and most importantly, we uncovered some fascinating little-known stories. Read more here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQrqUFXgq_r/?igsh=Nnp3ajJjajUzZXpq

07/11/2025

Our Chinese heritage research is up on our website www.sharedcity.org/chinese-heritage. We loved researching this & uncovering some fascinating stories!

07/12/2024

For us at SharedCity the magic of Christmas is discovering new places on our winter walks around the city. SharedCity Co-founder Deborah stumbled across a Bengali community cafe only open on Thursdays and part of Sharing Space Eats, a peoples museum and an amazing Mexican apothecary/tea and coffee shop .canto. Have you been to ? The fascinating area behind the busy streets of Kings Cross and Euston. Highly recommend! Are there any specialareas of London you can share with us?