Group activities, events and happenings arise from the generosity, energy and enthusiasm of individual artists towards each other so here are some ideas for what you might contribute yourself.
Socialising is the oil on the group's wheels, it makes things move and happen.

Mingling, discussion, generating ideas etc keeps it dynamic, interesting and evolving, so events that give time for chatting are best. You will find a place in the group by interacting with other members and developing relationships. Leading or organising something is the quickest and best way to do this. If you aren't interested in getting to know other artists or networking you may find the group unrewarding.
If you have attended events and had a good time and enjoyed our company, whether you decide to become a member or not, why not do something yourself.

NOTE: If you join, it is appreciated that you may have busy and hectic periods and may have 'inactive' periods as a member.
The loose group structure accommodates this but please note, 'INFORMAL' does not mean 'CASUAL'. If you have signed up as a member, when you are available please be wholehearted in contributing to keeping the group rolling along.

(* gives an idea of how much is involved in setting something up)

(1) * Reminding / networking: There are lots of events, exhibitions, happening and information about competitions/opportunities for artists, deadlines for shows etc. floating around Cardiff. It is difficult to keep abreast of it all. It is much appreciated if you feed useful info and reminders into the group. These can be put as listings on the website but major, not-to-be-missed things, such as the Jerwood Show might need a general email circular. In addition, with such a variety of people in the group and coming from different backgrounds, you may be able to offer very different, specialist opportunities to the group for drawing events, exhibitions etc... All would be most welcome.

(2) **Leading a drawing session: Very straightforward to do and little preparation. Vast scope and opportunities in and around Cardiff : short and simple.. a couple of hours, or more involved, longer sessions. To be a 'leader' simply decide on a venue or theme, time and date, what to bring, a meet-up point if necessary, and circulate it to everyone. 'Leading' may simply be arrangements to meet somewhere, to visit somewhere, or see an exhibition.
Though these can be very last minute, it's best to ask that people let you know if they will be there. Usually no cost and often end up in a pub.
Depending on the weather, how general the interest etc, 1-15 people may turn up. If no-one responds don't be disheartened try again some other time.

Past drawing sessions: The Gate Center: Tango Dancing, Roath Hothouse, Sketching in various pubs, Cardiff Train Station, Taff Embankment: Sunday Market, Llandaff Fields, up various mountains - the Garth, Castell Coch woods etc. There are also loads of possible venues on the yearly Cardiff calendar eg. RHS show, Coopers fields in the spring. Firework displays, May Day, MAS Carnival, Bay Food Festival, etc.

(3)*** Events that need more Organisation: These are more involved as a venue needs to be found and maybe a model or special equipment sorted out. Email out a brief description to find out who would be interested, and moot a time and place. If enough people are interested you go ahead. There may be a cost to cover these and a deposit might be required. Remainder is settled promptly at the event. Events may be Show and Tells, Sharing a life model etc. Organising a guest speaker/ presentation, organising a coach trip or an outing somewhere outside Cardiff e.g. Flatholm Boat trip (all day). These usually need 8+ people due to overheads to go ahead and as usual it may end up in a pub social.

Special note: Show and Tells: These are always enormously successful and are great for introducing yourself. They can happen at any time. Just decide on a theme, (could be 'recent' work' ' media/ materials' or something you have an interest in, find a free venue where the group can take over and display work. You may get 10-20 people turn up. Allocate so much time each and away to go. Again, most of these things usually end up in a pub social.

NOTE: The Group has professional artists who run various courses/workshops. These are advertised within the group but they are not considered Group Event contributions: they are commercial enterprises by the artists concerned.

(4) ***** Hosting: These are the 'BIZ' and involve a great deal more work and show real commitment to and interest in the other members in the group. Often held at your home or studio, they are very personal and are definitely not just casual 'turn up if you please' occasions. You can ask group members to let you know if they are going to attend. Invites to these may not be automatic. Due to the increasing size of the group, if your venue/home is small, you can do invitation only or put a ceiling on numbers. , if you lay on substantial refreshments you can reasonably ask for a small charge per head towards this, or simply adjourn to the nearest pub. Previous attendance to these events has been 10 to 20+ people depending on host/venue.

Previous hostings: A Talk/Slide show on Drawing, Paper making, Sketchbook making, Botanical Drawing, Animation (the making of Gogs), Photoshop evenings, Studio visits.

(5)** Simple socials : Easy to arrange or can be as elaborate as you like. Best time is around Christmas. All events glue the group together but sometimes a Big Social combined (or not) with an activity is appreciated. eg. 'Hats on for Drawing'... a two hour evening session held at Dempsey's where nearly 20 people brought hats, sat and drew each other, drank beer and generally had fun. There is still loads of unchartered territory for activities so if you think of something different, do it  - there is no ones permission to ask.

Cardiff Drawing Group Exhibitions You may encounter a split in the ideas of the group regarding exhibitions. Some members see exhibitions as a distraction from the main group business of drawing activities. Others, see exhibiting as an important part of the group's development. The first camp are mainly people who are professionally established, the second are people who may be wanting to show for the first time or are trying to get established. We do not select on the basis of quality of work so our CDG exhibitions can give a welcome fillip to people just finding their feet.

Note: If your interest in the group is solely exhibition focused you may be disappointed; as and when selection is necessary, due to limited space etc, the criteria may not be quality of the work but the extent of your contribution to the group in general.
Ideas/ venues for exhibitions?? The group is always open to suggestions for, or leads, for venues to show work. If you have an idea or a venue, send an email around, call a meeting, spell it out and see who wants to be involved. Then get a team together to share the cost/ workload equitably. Most members now know the drill for putting on an exhibition.