About Us

Old Grocery is a creative space in Wivenhoe that brings people together through art. We aim to support local artists, encourage ethical business practices, and provide a welcoming environment for everyone. Our exhibitions feature work from both emerging and established artists, reflecting the diversity of the community around us.

In addition to art, we host local businesses that share our focus on sustainability and fairness. We believe art should be accessible to all, and we work to create a space where creativity and community can grow.

Old Grocery opened in May 2022, bringing new life to a shop that had been boarded up for 25 years. Our first event was part of the Wivenhoe Art Trail, organised in collaboration with Wivenhoe Printworks. The building itself has a rich history. It opened as a ships chandler in 1895, later became a grocery store, and finally closed as a greengrocer in 1997. Now, it serves as a space for art, exhibitions, and local talent.

Today, Old Grocery is a place where art, history, and community intersect. It is not just a gallery but a platform for artists, poets, and ethical businesses to share their work. By connecting the past with the present, we hope to create a space that feels inclusive and inspiring for all who visit.

Who runs Old Grocery?

Old Grocery is run by Jonathan and Della Hawkins. Together, they have created a space that celebrates art while reflecting a family history deeply rooted in creativity. Jonathan, an artist and educator, draws inspiration from a long line of artistic achievement.

Jonathan’s connection to art runs through his family. His great uncle, Harold Fredrick Weaver Hawkins, known as Raokin, was a well-regarded figure in Australian art. His grandfather, Ernest Joseph Weaver Hawkins, worked as an architectural sculptor and restorer, contributing to projects with the Byzantine Institute of America and Dumbarton Oaks Center for Byzantine Studies. Further back, his great grandfather, Edgar Augustine Hawkins, studied at the Royal Academy Schools in London and later directed the Admiralty Works Department.

Jonathan’s own journey in art began with studies in Cambridge and Exeter. Over the past 45 years, he has worked as a painter and printmaker, exhibiting in a variety of places, from galleries in the USA to smaller venues in Cambridge, Snape Maltings, and London. His work reflects a lifelong dedication to his craft.

At Old Grocery, Jonathan combines his artistic practice with a commitment to education and community. The space not only showcases art but also supports local talent and ethical business practices. Through this project, Jonathan continues his family’s tradition of creativity while fostering a space where art and community can come together. Old Grocery is a reflection of his respect for the past and his belief in the power of art to connect people.