In its London City office, the bank has a distinguished collection of historical paintings, eighteenth and nineteenth century watercolours and early-modern figurative pictures by British artists. Surrounded by such inspirational works, staff in London have this year been given a wonderful opportunity to engage with the visual arts and artists in a practical and creative way by developing their drawing skills through their involvement in The Drawing School, 2005.

Supported by a project grant from Arts & Business, 35 members of staff were selected by ballot (from a pool of 97 applicants) to receive six sessions of tuition in the art of drawing from five professional drawing tutors (Sophie Levi, Miles Thistlewaite, Henry Gibbons Guy, Laura Smith and Charlie Cobb) supplied by the Prince's Drawing School over an eight week period.

Participants, represented by a rich and diverse selection of people from across the business at all levels, were allocated to a particular tutor with whom they worked for the duration of the project, attending one session each week.

The feedback was universally positive, both from participants and tutors. At the end of the eight week period, those taking part had their best work framed (together with an example of their 'pre-school' work) and on 1 November there was an in-house reception and private view at ING's offices at London Wall in the heart of the City, at which the overall winner of the most improved work by a member of staff was chosen.

This accolade went to Martin Fraser, who works in Market Risk and Product Control for ING Wholesale Banking, London. Martin's winning drawing was also on show at the 2005 DE exhibition.

 

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