At the entrance of Tate Modern on 19^th June 2010 at midnight, walkers-by were surprised by an unusual gathering of a good 60 people. People were meeting for CoolTan Arts Summer Solstice Midnight Largactyl Shuffle, a guided cultural walk from the powerhouse Tate Modern to the home of contemporary psychiatry, the Maudsley Hospital.

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An exhibition of the work of the people who teach CoolTan Arts’ workshops. The exhibition has been extended until 28^th June.

Venue: OH! Gallery in Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG.

Thanks to Suzie at Oxford House for organising the exhibition with CoolTan and Ben Sawyer and The Sun Inn for sponsoring the exhibition event.

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CoolTan artists have submitted their own art into a competition held at the Dulwich Picture gallery. Artists were invited to create surreal landscapes inspired by the landscapes created by Paul Nash. Nash utilised techniques stemming from the manipulation of elementary objects and placed them in relationships of conflict or harmony.

Have a look at the incredible pieces our artists have come up with and show your support by voting for your favourite piece of art online by visiting http://dulwichonview.org.uk/adult-entries/ voting is open until 31^st May.

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CoolTan models strut their stuff at London’s Alternative Fashion Week.

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Images from CoolTan’s latest exhibition.

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CoolTan Arts’ February Largactyl Shuffle explored Southwark’s connections with gay history and  mental health.

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CoolTan Arts launched three new film projects at the British Film Institute on 8 February 2010.

Two of the films, ‘The Largactyl Shuffle,’ and ‘CoolTan Arts – who we are, what we do and how we do it,’ document CoolTan’s work. ‘In the studio with Maggi Hambling’ chronicles CoolTan’s patron.

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Photography © Melanie Fordham

‘The Largactyl Shuffle’ follows the Largactyl Shuffle midnight walk – a nighttime guided cultural walk from Maudsley Hospital to Denmark Hill which took place in June 2009. Jon Pratty of Disability Arts Online described it as a ‘lively, insightful and informal documentary’.

The films will be shown nationally and internationally at film festivals and cinemas.

Organised by CoolTan Arts to celebrate World Mental Health Day, which takes place annually on October 10, the Altered States exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery, explores themes relating to changes in the way people feel, see or think.

Artists from CoolTan Arts, have been working with artists from the Dulwich Picture Gallery to produce art work for the exhibition.

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Louisa Nicholl, one of the CoolTan artists wrote a poem entitled Harvest, on which she based her artwork for the exhibition.

She said: “I was absolutely amazed at how everybody’s idea of an altered state was interpreted in totally different ways – it was a lovely process to watch my poem become a print.”

Kathrin Kirrmann, communications officer at the CoolTan Arts said: “CoolTan Arts’ Altered States exhibition celebrates World Mental Health Day, a world wide and a unified effort to promote greater public awareness and understanding of mental health and mental illness.

The artworks in this exhibition were created by CoolTan Arts to celebrate Black History Month.

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CoolTan Artists worked at the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre and used the environment of Elephant & Castle to explore in the broadest possible sense what Black History Month might mean in a multicultural environment.

CoolTan Arts would like to thank Morley College, and in particular Kathleen McLauchlan, Lena Augustinson and Jane Hartwell for organising this exhibition.

Map and Directions for Morley College

CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle Sponsored Walk on 10 October 2009 attracted over 80 people, marching to celebrate World Mental Health Day and raise money for CoolTan Arts.

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Walkers were welcomed by Michelle Baharier, Chief Executive of CoolTan Arts, the Mayor of Lambeth, Christopher Wellbelove, past mayor of Southwark Bob Skelly, London Assembly member and deputy chief of Transport Valerie Shawcross and TV Chef Rosemary Shrager. All the speakers highlighted the importance of art and walking on everyone’s mental health and well being, the social element of a community walk and how it can help people overcome barriers and stigma.

CoolTan had a fantastic turnout for the opening of its ‘A Taste of CoolTan Arts’ exhibition at Lewisham Hospital on 24th September. The event was a great success and visitors included hospital patients as well as CoolTan Arts’ workshop participants and staff.

The exhibition was curated and set up by Jean Cozens – a CoolTan trustee. Many thanks to Barry Leaf at Lewisham Hospital for giving CoolTan the space to exhibit. Thanks also to Melanie Fordham who was CoolTan’s volunteer photographer for the evening. Artists include Sasha Dee, Simon Hayes, Emma Slater, Julie Hamilton, Sui Ngan and Liz Innes.

Click here for venue and contact details.

Walk participants photographed buildings designed by world famous architects and learnt about the relationship between local architecture and the history of mental health in Southwark.

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CoolTan’s Largactyl Shuffle Summer Solstice Midnight walk was a a guided geo-physical walk through Southwark hearing the voices of history from the Madhouse to the Modern Psychiatric Hospital.

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The Mad Hatter’s Teaparty was open to everyone and provided an opportunity to join CoolTan for fun, frolics, tea and cakes.

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CoolTan Arts were proud to display their collection of customised, recycled clothing at this exciting event. All the clothing was designed and created by participants in CoolTan’s batik workshops.

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Read more about Alternative Fashion Week in The Guardian

Here are some images from the latest exhibition in our gallery space, cats, and our relationships with them as pets, as friends, as symbols. People’s impressions of cats made into artworks.

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