A St Peter Port resident says joining a local sketch club helped her make friends and discover the island’s beauty.
Nazia Ansari is originally from Bearsden, near Glasgow, but moved to the island three years ago to take up a role as head of HR for a finance company.
She joined St Peter Port Sketch Club two years ago after spotting some of its members sketching in Trinity Square.
“Last time I sketched or painted was at school, years and years ago,” Nazia said, “But they were so friendly – you don’t have to be an artist.”
Nazia told Express: “I really enjoyed the fact that Charlie – the organiser – gives you a five minute introduction into the location where we all meet, so you get the history and the historical aspects of Guernsey – it’s amazing”.
Nazia had several of her artworks on display at the club’s new exhibition, at the George Crossan Gallery in St Peter Port’s Market Building.
She said the club was a welcome release for her “demanding” day job and had helped her appreciate Guernsey better.
“I moved here three years ago, and if I wasn’t in this club, I wouldn’t have seen the beauty of the island.”
She’s also maintained friendships with several people away from the sketch club.
“We meet for tea or coffee – we don’t sketch,” she added.
So what would Nazia say to someone thinking of giving the sketch club a try?
“They will be welcomed with open arms, and they can express their art in so many different ways.”
“You’re not judged, and it just allows you to express another side of your skills.”
Club organiser Charlie Hodder said the social side of it was just as important as the artistic side.
“We always meet afterwards to show each other our drawings and have a chat and encourage each other,” he said.
Charlie said the club – which is sponsored by CCD Architects – was an “accepting and non judgmental environment” for people of all abilities.
“I personally think you can see something good in every drawing,” he said.
“Some of my favourite drawings are not necessarily what people would consider technically the best ones.”
The free-to-view exhibition features about 250 drawings from 15 locations around the town and island and is open until 21 March.
The club meets every week from mid-April to September. Anyone interested in joining can contact Charlie through the club’s Instagram page.