What If…? — the project that dared to ask the question, and continues to inspire answers.
2025 marked an extraordinary milestone: the 20th anniversary of What If…? Community Art. What If…? began as a small, hopeful idea has grown into two decades of creativity, community connection, and countless shared moments that have shaped Dartford’s cultural life.
We gathered to celebrate last week and it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces — friends, supporters, and long-standing contributors who helped make What If…? what it is today. People like Reverend Chris Stone, our former Chair of Trustees for many years; Vic Heffer, who has been with us since the very beginning; Anne Graves, who worked tirelessly as a volunteer to help shape our gallery and exhibition space; Richard Slater, a Dartford artist who embraced the opportunity to create and exhibit; and Elly Elcomb, who blended her work with Kent Association for the Blind with her passion for the arts and our activities.
Honouring Our Volunteers
Our newer and younger trustees and volunteer artists are carrying the torch forward: Mandy Johnson, Maxine Bullen, Judy Cook and Claire Beazley-Mungovan. Their energy and commitment keep the wheels turning behind the scenes, and we’re deeply grateful for everything they do.
We also paused to remember early volunteers who have sadly passed away — Chris and Sue Knight, Peter Shurmer, and Ray Marshall — all generous, kind-hearted people who gave their time to our cause.
And, of course, there are many more whose names we may no longer have, but whose contributions helped shape our journey. We remember them all with gratitude.
Celebrating the Heart of What If… Ruth Howard
No celebration of What If…? would be complete without honouring the person who has been its driving force from the very beginning: Ruth Howard.
Ruth’s leadership, creativity, time and sheer determination are the reason What If…? exists at all. She was the spark that ignited this project, and the steady heart that has kept it alive for two decades. Without her vision, her willingness to take risks, and her endless hours of unseen work — the planning, organising, encouraging and advocating — What If…? simply would not have started, and it certainly would not have become the cherished community arts organisation it is today.
For 20 years, Ruth has woven people together, welcomed artists of all abilities, and created spaces where creativity could flourish without barriers. Her dedication has touched hundreds of lives, and her influence continues to shape the future of the organisation. What If…? is, in so many ways, a reflection of Ruth’s passion for community, inclusivity and artistic opportunity.
We owe her more thanks than words can express.
How It All Began
It’s remarkable to think that 20 years have passed since the idea of a low-cost arts hub first took shape — at the time, expected to last six weeks, perhaps six months. “I’m not sure I can commit to six months, but I’ll give it a go,” Ruth famously said. None of us imagined we’d still be here two decades later.
“I’m not sure I can commit to six months, but I’ll give it a go,” Ruth Howard
Fortune smiled on us when Tesco agreed to rent a shop on Dartford High Street. With the help of Peter Harper and a dedicated group of volunteers, our gallery opened its doors. Our workshop programme quickly followed, including the beloved Tuesday watercolour sessions, which are still running today.
Behind the scenes, there has always been far more work than anyone sees: insurance, audits, Charity Commission responsibilities, accounting, health and safety, tenancy agreements, website and social media costs. Thanks to the foundations we laid — and to Ruth’s meticulous guidance — we are able to offer free workshops today.
When the Path Changed
In 2019, our lease came to an end just before the Covid pandemic changed life for everyone. In hindsight, difficult though it was, it may have been a blessing — we could never have sustained the costs of premises during those years.
But the memories from our gallery days remain vivid:
• Santa’s Grotto, full of magic and laughter.
• Pop-up shops at Bluewater, six intense weeks of creativity (and exhaustion!).
• The Silk River project, which culminated in a breathtaking trip to India.
• The day the Tour de France passed through Dartford, when we served free tea and coffee to crowds of spectators — the busiest day our gallery ever had.
We welcomed so many people over the years: artists selling their work, students holding their first exhibitions, Brownies, adults with learning disabilities, under-5s, the registered blind group, Richard’s oil painters, framers renting studio space, knitters and crocheters, silk painters, photographers launching community projects, amateur artists entering competitions, and even London street artists (who introduced us to Jelly vodka shots!).
We had fun — so much fun.
A Legacy of Creativity
We remain incredibly proud of what What If…? achieved — a unique, affordable arts space where artists young and old could exhibit, experiment and grow. A place where volunteers could find purpose and, often, rebuild confidence. A place where community truly meant something.
We always hoped that Dartford Council might someday establish a permanent arts hub — perhaps somewhere beautiful like Acacia Hall — where our vision could continue on a larger scale. That dream is still out there, waiting.
Looking Forward
Although we no longer have a dedicated building, we are fortunate to use The Meeting Place in the Orchards Centre for our regular workshops. We’re also exploring collaborations with other arts venues, including The Exchange in Erith, and looking at ways to reach new artist communities through pop-up sessions and shared projects.
As we look to the future, our hope is simple: that What If…? will continue to flourish for many years to come — nurturing creativity, building confidence, and bringing people together, just as it has for the last 20 years.
Waste Not Creat More
Postcards from Nature – on Saturday, 11 October was the 5th Waste Not Create More session at The Exchange in Erith.
The workshop was a gentle, joy-filled afternoon of creativity, connection, and autumnal colour.
We explored colours and textures of the natural world in miniature. T We incorporated locally gathered botanical cuttings and dried stems, adding a tactile twist to our tiny artworks. Each participant created their own blend of painted and pressed natural elements — delicate leaves layered over soft washes of watercolour, seedheads silhouetted against sunset tones, or fragments of dried grass adding texture to an imagined landscape.
The relaxed pace and welcoming atmosphere meant everyone could experiment freely. Some people worked intuitively, others followed the shapes and colours of the plants themselves — and all ended up with a unique set of postcard-sized creations brimming with personality and charm.
By the end of the session, the table was a vibrant patchwork of tiny masterpieces: some destined to be posted as thoughtful notes, others tucked into journals or framed as miniature keepsakes.
It was a beautiful reminder that creativity can flourish anywhere — even in the smallest format — and that a handful of paint, a few paper scraps, and a sprig of nature are more than enough to spark inspiration.
Waste Not Create More
Found Brush Strokes – on Saturday 6 September, was the 4th Waste Not Create More session at The Exchange, Erith.
Q) What happens when you swap shop-bought art supplies for twigs, grasses, and feathers?
A) Pure creative magic!
We began in the beautiful Exchange Garden, gathering fallen materials — from feathery seed heads to twisty twigs — ready to be transformed. It was amazing to see how much variety nature had waiting for us, just underfoot.
Back inside, the real fun started. With a little string and a lot of imagination, everyone made their own unique brushes. Some looked wild and bushy, others sleek and fine, but each one had a personality of its own.
Then came the best bit — dipping these handmade tools into eco-friendly watercolours and seeing what they could do! Sweeping textures, delicate lines, playful splatters… the room buzzed as every mark turned into something unexpected and exciting.
By the end of the session, the tables were covered with bold, expressive artworks bursting with colour and character. Everyone left with not only their creations but also their handmade brushes — tools to keep experimenting with at home.
This workshop was all about curiosity, play, and joyful discovery — proof that creativity is everywhere when you look closely.
Results:
2025 Mid-Year Review
Waste Not, Create More
Watercolour with words, was the 3rd collaboration between What If…? and The Exchange, Erith. Held on Saturday 9th August, it was a gentle, reflective session where we slowed down and soaked up a little creative calm. Our participants paired soft watercolour painting with simple handwritten words — some chose a poem, a quote, or words from their favourite book.
We used eco-friendly watercolour paints, exploring loose, meditative techniques that focused on mood, movement, and colour.
Results:
Waste Not Create More
Saturday, 19 July was the 2nd session in our Waste Not, Create More collaboration.
In this session, we designed and decorated our sketchbook covers using expressive watercolour techniques, combined with collage, layering, and texture. We played with watercolour washes, mark-making, and simple mixed media methods using fabric scraps, recycled paper, old prints, and lots more—giving new life to materials that might otherwise have been discarded.
The workshop attracted experimental watercolour and collage lovers who found many new ways to create textures including bubbles, bubble wrap, crumpled paper, salt stamps, and wax. It was a wonderfully relaxed session where the focus was on play without perfection.
Results:
Workshop: Gelli Plate Printing
The workshop with Elly was a riot of colour and creativity. We experimented with Gelli plate printing, layering paints and textures to create unique prints bursting with personality.
It was amazing to see how the same tools and colours led to such wildly different results—abstract swirls, leafy patterns, and bold geometric designs. We all left with a stack of beautiful prints and a head full of new ideas to try at home.
Guest Tutor: Jocelyn Menyhart
Jocelyn told us about Dr Snowflake, who taught her how to create stunning cut snowflakes. All you need is a single white page, a pair of sharp scissors and a creative yet mathematical brain! We loved it! Thank you Jocelyn!
Workshop – Stitched Landscapes
Our creative group had a wonderfully successful session today, transforming piles of scrap fabric into beautiful stitched landscapes. Each person’s piece was unique—rolling patchwork hills, textured skies, and tiny details that brought their scenes to life.
It was inspiring to see how the same box of scraps could tell so many different stories.
Results:
Waste Not Create More
Saturday, 28 June was first of six sessions of the collaboration between What If…? and The Exchange, Erith.
Our goal was to offer a series of hands on workshops for individuals interested in making art using eco-friendly, sustainable, low/zero cost materials.
In this first session, we dived into the world of semi-abstract landscapes, creating vibrant, textured artwork from everyday items like magazines, scrap paper, fabric remnants, and cardboard. It was all about experimenting, playing, and discovering our own unique style in a relaxed, welcoming space.
We used simple techniques for composition, layering, and working with found materials. There was no right or wrong, just the freedom to create.
Results:
Day Trip – RA Summer Exhibition 2025
Throughly inspired by this years’ submissions. The variety of media and styles was impressive as always.
Some of our favourites…
Workshop – April 2025
Everyone loved creating neurographic doodles to settle the mind and relax. Mandy hosted the session where we turned random curved lines into wonderful abstract creations.
We found a new level of calm and enjoyed some quiet time.
Results:
What if...? Community Art 