The Schwartz Gallery is a new gallery space in Hackney Wick situated downstairs from a mass of…read moreartist studios. This gallery shows contemporary art from new and established artists, here you will find a range of sculpture, installation, painting and photography. Private views here are usually on a Thursday night with beer. For more info on upcoming shows and private Views go to their website www.schwartzgallery.co.uk/exhibitions

The last time I went to the Schwartz Gallery it had an installation I was particularly unimpressed…read morewith. However, this time I went to it in conjunction with Hackney Wick(Ed) and it was great. Just out the back was White Post Lane stage which featured bands I wouldn't normally listen to but coupled with copious alcholol, a measure of arty festivity and some crusties it was a perfect way to spend a Saturday. Price - £ free free free

Stour Space describes themselves as "a not-for-profit exhibition and performance space devoted to…read morepromoting contemporary art for the benefit of the public and the artists involved" and they're hosting a monthly Designer-Maker Fair on the last Saturday of each month. There was a good selection of fashion, accessories and artwork, with prices starting from 50p upwards. It's certainly worth a look (especially if you combine it with breakfast at the excellent Counter Cafe, just down the street).

10 mins on the bus from me, is a really fantastic place for artists…read more I popped in here on a Sunday during 'Open Studios' a weekend when all the artists in Hackney Wick open up their studios to showcase their work and methods to the public. A couple of tables outside of the space looked promising to wait for a friend, but I was soon dragged inside by a beautiful voice singing about activism and human right with her acoustic guitar. The queue for the cafe was pretty extensive, but I've been told its not usually that busy, and stretches out onto a pier area in the back where you can eat next to the canal. Prices were good, portions a little small. The gallery is free to everyone, and showcases work from local artists and performers. There's a great range of stuff, and definitely perfect for a day out, particularly on days when there's events on. RECOMMENDED!

In know what you're thinking. Hackney where? There's not even a tube station there, can't be…read morebothered. Eschew all of those thoughts from your mind now and come anyway. Decima Gallery, home to irreverent shows like The Art Olympics, Hackney Adventures and Artists versus Estate Agents Monopoly is worth the extortionate cab fare/long bike ride out. Housed within an old peanut factory, this slightly dilapidated yet charming space is home to not only some of the East London art scene's more daring, funny and alternative works. For those that missed their extravaganza at the Hackney Wicked Festival: poor fools! You missed a veritable mix of mock-Olympic events that made arguably bitter references to the likely fact that the whole place will be flattened by bulldozers in a year or two and replaced with benign shopping malls. Events included Piers Wardle's Tossing The Paintbrush Competition, Stephen Micalef's Olympic Poems, Jenny Lindvall Slowest Pint to Mouth Competition Andrew Hart Throwing the 'diskcus' (the spelling error is intentional: everyone brought the worst 12 record they had and tried to throw it as far as possible). Genius. They're also quite a web-savvy bunch: they have their own dedicated art TV station online, called Decima TV. They also flog some very reasonably priced and impressive pieces of art (if contemporary art is your passion) on eBay. To get there tube it to Bethnal Green/Bromley-by-Bow/Mile End; or take the DLR to Bow Church/Stratford then grab these buses: 276, 8, 30, 26.

The Chisenhale came to life as a place to put artists who were being evicted from the low-cost…read moretemporary space they had found themselves in at some point in the 70s. A non-profit centre featuring studios for residents and a generous gallery space on the ground floor, as well as a dance school/studio occupying separate (and separately listed) premises next door, The Chisenhale was a precursor to many other likeminded ventures in this ferociously expensive city. One of its chief virtues is that, being a community venture, it is open to collaboration. Recently, after nearly writing the space off on account of a particularly abysmal show, I attended a screening of STAR SPANGLED TO DEATH, presented by Mark Webber of Secret Cinema and Whitechapel Gallery. Clocking in over six hours and shown free of charge, this is the kind of art event that cannot be achieved in this city without places like Chisenhale.

This looked closed last time I passed which was just this week but hopefully it's just having an…read moreolympic sabbatical or something. I've been to a few good shows here in the past as it is just around the corner from me.