Welcome to the What If…? Community

LATEST NEWS 2024

Please note: We have left our premises at 67-69 High Street, Dartford

Please follow us on social media or email us on whatifgallery@gmail.com

so we can keep you up to date and keep in touch.

From Ruth and the team

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WORKSHOPS – 2024

I am pleased to say that we hold a weekly Adults Watercolour workshop at THE MEETING PLACE in The Orchards Centre, Dartford, every Tuesday afternoon from 1-3pm.

Sometimes we will present other workshops from 3-5pm but you will need to register to take part in these sessions. The cost is just £5 and materials are usually supplied. Please email ruthghoward@aol.com if you would like to join us.

Please come along and meet us. It is a self-governing group and you will need to bring your own watercolour painting and drawing materials.

See you there – from Ruth

MY LOOSE PAINTING PINK

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what if …? – Dartford’s involvement in PROCESSIONS 2018

On the bright sunny day that was Sunday 10th June in Central London, we assembled at Green Park. We were each allocated either WHITE, GREEN or VIOLET coloured scarves and the mass of women filtered into 3 channels of walking groups – this was described as being like toothpaste with 3 colours merging together. There was a great feeling of unity as the women assembled with friendly laughter and sharing stories of their own town’s flag.

As we started the walk near Marble Arch passers-by were cheering and car horns were tooting to show support. As we spied each Television camera-crew a huge roar would erupt and with whistles blowing we would wave at the cameras. We learned a lot from the women around us about the stories and characters that were featured on their Banners, so it was a very interesting afternoon. I also noticed that there was an unusually high number of Women photographers/camera crew/Interviewers en route with men taking a bit of a back seat for a change.

We we would like to thank the LAWSON ENDOWMENT KENT TRUST for providing funding for Art workshops we presented for people ‘Living with and beyond Cancer’ and MESSY PLAY workshops.

May I take also this opportunity to thank Dartford Borough Council for funding our children’s workshops for 2018. Thank you DBC.

Featured Artist:

TANYA OUTEN – her abstract and colourful work.

Thank you Perrys Exceptional Awards!!
We at the what if gallery…? were shortlisted for the Perry’s Exceptional awards in two categories.
I attended the Ceremony and dinner last night in Leeds Castle with Chris Stone (Chairman of trustees) and Elly Elcombe (Coordinator for Vision Art) and it was a wonderful evening!
There were exceptional charities represented and we did not win this time but it is lovely to get recognition for the work we have been doing for the last 11 years.

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MCMILLAN COFFEE MORNING
We raised over £125. Thank you all very much for your support.
What if…? Gallery

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Silk Painting / Batik workshops
@ Kinetika Studio Thurrock High House Production Park
Purfleet Essex RM19 1AS

New workshops coming – watch this space or email us for Please ring Ruth on 07940 836672 or email whatifgallery@gmail.com if you want to reserve a space

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DARTFORD FESTIVAL – Our Art competition in the park is now finished and I am pleased to announce that all winners have now been contacted and the awards have been made.

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SILK RIVER WALKS

Calling all Walkers – As part of the Silk River project, Dartford’s walk is to be on Wednesday 20th September.
Please join us – its free of charge and starts at the Thames Marshes and will culminate in Central Park, Dartford with a celebration of local community.

This is part of the Silk River Project where the organisers: Kinetika will be arriving by boat just west of the Dartford Bridge on the gravelly foreshore with 10 giant silk flags (the Silk River Scrolls- one of which is Dartford’s own designed and painted by local artists, including Ruth Howard and Tanya Outen).
Local rangers will take us down the old tramway past the site of the old smallpox hospitals before arriving at Ruby Tuesday Avenue. This is the home town of Mick Jagger, the birthplace of The Rolling Stones and artist Sir Peter Blake. Discover Dartford and the legacy from its pop culture past that still thrives in the town today. Please try and join us, any enquiries can be directed through the what if…? Gallery or direct through the Silk River webpage
Technical difficulty of walk: Moderate
Distance: 4.2 miles

Background Info: 2017 is the 70th anniversary of India’s independence from Britain and a host of events are planned to celebrate and explore our cultural connection with India, Silk River is one of these events. We are pleased to say that the ‘what if…? Gallery’ is working with Kinetika and Dartford Borough Council to undertake an arts project to highlight the history of the silk trade routes from India to London, with the Thames river being a key route.

Kinetika have invited 10 Riverside towns including Dartford, to take part in this project. Each town is ‘twinned’ with a corresponding town in India – Dartford’s twin town is Howrah. The aim of the project is to create a set of large banners – painted with wax, and made of silk (referencing the silk trade). These banners will then be walked through the town at an event in September this year. Kinetika are walking through each town involved in the project and so linking the independent events in each town to create one larger overall event. They will also be doing a parallel walk along the Hooghly River in India.

Ruth Howard is nominated as one of the Lead Artists on the production of the banner. During June the Silk Banners were produced at the Kinetika studio in Purfleet and the 10 banners will be used in the 10 walks in September. If you are a walker and want to take part please get in touch for further info please email whatifgallery@gmail.com.