A group of art-loving amateur painters used to gather together every Monday night in Finchley, under the tutelage of artist Phillipa Clayden, to share ideas – as well as tea and cakes – and techniques and support.

When the classes stopped, a group of the students decided to get together to create a new group and offer the community a new arts space providing classes, workshops and encouragement. The result of that effort is The Art Stables, housed in the Sternberg Centre.

“We’ve had lots of interest so far,“ says Julia Burton, one of the former students and now co-director of The Art Stables, “and we’ve got lots of established artists coming in as teachers, they’re very good.“

Budding and established artists can take classes in everything from papier mache to life drawing to mixed media, and there are also open studio drop-in sessions, kids’ art classes, yoga and Pilates groups.

“There aren’t many places in London where people can just go and paint,“ Julia continues. “It’s hard to paint at home on your own, so it’s nice to have somewhere you can go and hang out with like-minded people, have a cup of tea and just enjoy yourself.“

  • The Art Stables, The Sternberg Centre, East End Road, Finchley. Details: 020 3302 5525, artstables.co.uk