Founder

Anthea Wainwright started the group in May 2009.  After being diagnosed with M.S. and unable to continue working, she quickly discovered how expensive art classes were – especially for those who can’t attend every week, or even for whole sessions, and are on benefit.  Realising that there were no subsidies for those in a similar situation, unlike those who have retired in the normal way of things, she set about finding out if an art group for those who have had to retire early through chronic ill health would appreciate and attend a group of like-minded budding artists. The response was very positive.  Working with friends, she successfully applied for a grant from the Art Council and set up New Beginnings.

Initially, Anthea ran the group by herself.  This soon became untenable and a working committee was created. Sadly, her health has deteriorated so much that she has had to stand down from the team completely.  Still able to pop in occasionally, Anthea will always be key to our group, and is greatly missed when she is absent. She is a beautiful person, inside and out, and her personality draws people to her. Her evocative artistic skills run more to the abstract, while architecture holds a strong inspiration.