Creative Encounters: Poetry and Paint
Take time to relax and immerse yourself in poetry and painting led by artists from the Black Women Art Network, accompanied by live poetry readings.
Join us to translate poetry onto canvas using paint, brushes and your own creativity in an evening of amazing poets, curated to accompany your brush.
All materials are provided and no prior experience is needed. Whether you’re an artist or a beginner, this tranquil, non-judgemental space invites you to explore your inner creativity.
Black Women Art Network is a non-profit organisation aiming to promote, celebrate, connect and support Black women/woman-identifying artists. Through events, exhibitions, lectures and more they aim to champion Black women artists and create spaces that celebrate and uplift them.
Creative Encounters is your creative space in the heart of the city, bringing together Londoners old and new for live performance, making and conversation.
Need to know
This is a free event with no booking required.
Our friendly sessions are designed for both those attending on their own or with others; there are opportunities to socialise and take part in activities together, but you are also very welcome to have a solo experience.
Creative Encounters is a fortnightly programme; dates are sometimes subject to change, so do always check the website. It is part of our Open Doors programme, a regular series of free events welcoming audiences to get creative and connect.
If you require British Sign Language interpretation, please email [email protected] and we will try to accommodate your request.
For your visit
This event is held at the The Clore Ballroom Southbank Centre
The Clore Ballroom is open six days a week.
Tuesday, 10am – 6pm*
Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
*If we’re hosting a performance, the building will stay open until the event ends.
Plan your visit
The Clore Ballroom is located inside our Royal Festival Hall on Level 2.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
There is step-free access to The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, via a ramp.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
Next to The Clore Ballroom is our Ballroom Cafe where you can grab a coffee and a piece of freshly made cake. Also on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.