Burrowes started to lead Working People's Free Art Classes in 1945 and formally founded the WPAC organization in 1948.

[2][3] The name drew the attention of the British authorities, who were concerned that the classes might be a front for a communist organization.

One of them, Inspector John Campbell, became interested in drawing and painting and continued with the WPAC, later participating in exhibitions.

Burrowes was the only teacher, and gave classes on traditional Western artistic methods to anyone who chose to attend in whatever space he could find.

In 1947 Donald Locke attended a Working People's Art Class taught in Georgetown by Burrowes, which inspired him to take up painting.