Date: Saturday 19th May
Start: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG – main entrance outside the Turbine Hall
Ends: Camberwell Green
Times: 12noon – 4:30pm
Cost: free/voluntary donation

Join CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle, a free guided cultural walk around Southwark, promoting mental health and physical wellbeing, using art, humour and history and de-stigmatising mental distress.

This month will be an exploration of the origins of May Day and a celebration of the return of spring. Learn more about the history of the ancient festival and its connection to Southwark. Learn about Walworth May Queens, the Bermondsey Maypole, Morris dancers, Jack in the Green, Sid Barrett, Folk songs and much more!

We are delighted to invite you to the grand unveiling of the CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle Bench Commission on Camberwell green, made possible by Camberwell Community Council’s Cleaner Greener Safer fund, awarded to CoolTan Arts.

Join us on 19th May 2012 at 3pm next to CoolTan Arts’ Ginkgo Tree in the North East corner of Camberwell Green. The unveiling ceremony will be a part of the Largactyl Shuffle May Day walk, starting at Tate Modern at 12noon and arriving at Camberwell Green in time for the unveiling.

We are delighted to announce the attendance of Councillor Dora Dixon-Fyle – Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, who will say a few words to commemorate the event, on behalf of Southwark Council.

CoolTan Arts Community Legacy walks provide a great opportunity to discover hidden histories, share your stories, explore art, culture and mental health history and meet new friends whilst getting healthier and becoming part of the excitement around the Olympics and Paralympics.

We need you to help make this happen!
Gain new skills or build on existing ones, have fun, and volunteer in a safe and supportive environment … and get free training!

The weekly walk meetings take place in locations around Hackney every Tuesday 12pm-3pm and extra hours may be available with a computer from home or at the CoolTan Arts building in South London.

Date: Tuesday 29th May
Starting: Hackney Museum main entrance, 1 Reading Lane, E8 1GQ
Times: 12noon – 3.30pm
Cost: free

Discover hidden histories, share your stories, explore art, culture and mental health history with CoolTan Arts Community Legacy Walks. Meet new friends, get healthier and be part of the excitement around the Olympics and Paralympics!

Meet at 12 noon outside Hackney Museum main entrance (across the square from the Empire, buses stop on Mare Street.) Our friendly guides will be there to meet you. Please wear sensible footwear, bring a bottle of water and some sandwiches.

Walks end at the Olympic park, nearest station: Pudding Mill Lane. Walks last approx 3.5 hours.

The Largactyl Shuffle Arts & Crafts Walk took place on April 21st. The group walked from the Maudsley Hospital to Dickens Gardens.

On a bright but cloudy morning, 15 of us assembled outside the Maudsley Hospital for our Largactyl Shuffle on the theme of Arts and Crafts. First stop was the sunny bandstand in Ruskin Park, where we heard about John Ruskin and also about art therapy, and did a bit of drawing to express how we were feeling today. Then we made our way through side streets and parks to the South London Art Gallery, where there is a famous floor by Walter Crane.

CoolTan Arts took to the catwalk again on Friday 20th April for a fourth time showing at Alternative Fashion Week.
The whole collection, inspired by Dickens’ women, got an enormously positive response from the audience with a big round of applause. Backstage some of the models approached us to say that CoolTan’s collection had been their favourite!

CoolTan’s take on Victorian dress created a tension between contemporary design and yesterday’s fashion. One of the most memorable parts of the day was the appearance of the Miss Havisham inspired wedding dress, which proved a hit with the paparazzi!

CoolTan Arts has been recognised as a ‘Creative Hero’ in the Mental Healthy, Mental Health Hero Awards.

Mental health organisation www.mentalhealthy.co.uk recognise the fantastic achievements of some of the country’s finest heroes, who selflessly and tirelessly look to improve the lives of others.

Created by Mental Healthy founder Charlotte Fantelli, the Mental Health Hero awards celebrate the incredible achievements of people making a real difference in the lives of those with mental illness.

Categories include ‘Community Hero’,  ‘Professional Hero’, ‘Business Hero’ and ‘Creative Hero’ and amongst the winners are some incredible local, national and even global organisations and individuals.