Exhibition: Waterloo’s Art Groups
Thursday 9th July, 6:45pm to Sunday 12th July 2026, 6:00pm
The Old Crypt and the Hub, St John’s Waterloo
A creative showcase of artwork by local groups and clubs associated with the creative life at St John’s Waterloo, celebrating community and the multitude of voices. With Age Exchange, Arts for Dementia, Blackfriars Settlement, Coin Street, Mental Fight Club and St John’s Waterloo’s Art Club.
Opening times:
Thursday 9th July – 6:45pm to 9:00pm
Friday 10th July – 10:00am to 8:00pm
Saturday 11th July – 10:00am to 8:00pm
Sunday 12th July – 10:00am to 6:00pm
About the Art Groups:
Art Club at St John’s Waterloo
The weekly Art Club at St John’s Waterloo forms part of the community programme Room for You. The Club operates an open house policy; everyone is welcome and no previous experience or art skills are required. The group meets weekly to work together under the guidance of artist Jessica Thomas. Participants share and discuss the results that arise from group work as well as solo efforts.
Over 50s Art Club at Coin Street
Coin Street offers something for everyone. Giving families and children the best start in life. Activities for all ages. They foster community, supporting enterprise, creativity and lifelong learning. This includes our Youth and Community Programme which provides young people with opportunities to socialise, develop new skills, keep fit and get involved with the community. Coin Street also offer a range of activities for Over 50s, whether you’re looking to get involved with the community, keep fit or learn a new skill. Their sessions are accessible and affordable, and an opportunity to meet new people. You can download the programme of activity timetable here or contact the team at community@coinstreet.org.
The Puppet Chorus goes on Show by Mental Fight Club
Mental Fight Club, Strangeface and St John’s Waterloo are pleased to present an exhibition of puppets hand-made by our very extraordinarily talented Creative Salon participating artists. Working with Stangeface across two extended workshops, they each crafted a character’s head and explored how it speaks and moves. The installation is accompanied by footage of the puppets doing what puppets do. A show not to be missed.
Creative Workshops by Arts for Dementia
Arts for Dementia use the power of the arts to inspire people living with early-stage dementia to get creative, learn new skills, connect and most importantly, have fun. They deliver free creative arts programmes, train others to deliver them, and advocate for the benefits of creativity for those living with dementia. You can visit their website here to join the creativity. Featured at the Waterloo Festival will be a collection of artworks created by participants living with dementia and their companions.
Positive Ageing Services Members Art Group at Blackfriars Settlement
Positive Ageing Services Members Art Group at Blackfriars Settlement meets every Wednesday morning, from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Roland Hill House in Nelson Square, and in the afternoon from 1.30pm to 3.00 pm at Blackfriars Settlement. This enthusiastic group of members who love art, have worked with several Art Projects, recently in a project run by Art Academy. Their work was exhibited at the Academy Gallery and also at the Haberdashers School.
This exhibition is curated by Sihan Ling, Yangluyu Tang (Angel) and Euchar Gravina, Artistic Director of Waterloo Festival.
Based in London, Sihan Ling works across installation, sculpture and moving image. His practice explores how systems of care, belief and identity become embedded within everyday objects, rituals and symbolic forms. Through poetic and often humorous arrangements, he creates spaces where memories, traditions and different voices intersect, revealing how people navigate uncertainty and construct meaning within contemporary life.
Yangluyu Tang (Angel) is an emerging curator and arts professional based in London, currently studying Museums and Galleries in Education at UCL. Her work focuses on contemporary art exhibitions, public programmes and community engagement, with a particular interest in creating accessible and meaningful cultural experiences. She has worked with museums, galleries, artists and community organisations across London.
About The Waterloo Festival:
The Waterloo Festival is an annual celebration of arts, heritage and community run by St John’s Waterloo with the local community. Read more about this year’s programme: www.stjohnswaterloo.org/wf2026
Getting to St John’s Waterloo: St John’s Waterloo is accessible by bus, tube or train; the nearest station is Waterloo Station. Parking is available in Exton Street on pay bays, Monday to Friday from 8.30am till 6.30pm & Saturday 8.30am till 1.30pm. Payment must be made by phone or app, details can be found on signs along Exton Street. After 6.30pm (1pm on Saturday) parking is free within the bays and on single yellow lines. There are no disabled bays along Exton Street. Parking is also available in car parks in York Road and Cornwall Road, details for both can be found online.