The CoolTan Arts Christmas Party took place on December 20th 2011. It provided an opportunity for participants, volunteers, staff, trustees, family and friends to come together and celebrate the festive season.

The Deputy Mayor of Lambeth, Cllr. Clive Bennett, began proceedings by congratulating CoolTan Arts on its valuable work and listening to the concerns of staff, volunteers and participants.

There was music, dancing and karaoke, along with a wonderful selection of food and drink. Volunteers each received a gift, generously donated by Team London Bridge, and celebrations continued long into the night.

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Just a few photos from Asia’s Leaving party at CoolTan Arts.

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The Largactyl  Shuffle William Blake Walk took place on the 19th November 2011 at Tate Modern. The walk focused on the life of William Blake, an English poet, painter, and printmaker (1757 – 1827).  He was unrecognized during his lifetime,  but now Blake is considered a influential  figure in the history of both poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age.

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CoolTan Arts art exhibiton at Carnegie Library took place 0n the 16th November 2011. There was poetry readings from CoolTan Arts poets and artwork showcasing  mixed media, collage, painting, drawing, sculpture and batik.

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Thank you to everyone who joined us on our BIG Largactyl Shuffle Walk. We received very positive feedback about the walk.

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We were very proud to see the Guardian feature the artwork of our Participants on its Society website on 7th October 2011, to coincide with World Mental Health Day.

See the full slideshow on the Guardian Society website here, or download a PDF (1.7 MB) version here.

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The Live and Kicking exhibition took place at CoolTan Arts on the 6th October 2011. The exhibition celebrated World Mental Health Day by displaying artworks, drawings and sculptures created by Cooltan Arts participants alongside a birthday cake for Clara. The exhibition continues until 13 January.

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The WPF Therapy exhibition opened on the 1st October 2011 and finishes on the 13th January 2012. It brings a positive outlook on art and well-being. CoolTan Arts has partnered with WPF to showcase a selection of creative work with strong colour, impact, aesthetics and content.

The show is accessible, although entrance is by appointment only. Please contact WPF Therapy reception for enquiries 020 7378 2000

Address: WPF Therapy, 23 Magdalen Street, London SE1 2EN

All artworks are for sale.

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CoolTan Arts Annual General Meeting took place on the 19th September 2011 where  the annual report was presented and current and future activities were discussed. The mayor of Southwark, Cllr Lorraine Lauder opened the AGM and presented certificates to volunteers. We had poetry readings and refreshments were available to volunteers and participants.

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The Black History Month Largactyl Shuffle took place on the 17^th September 2011. It explored stories and figures relating to Black History and BME communities in Southwark, arts and mental health. Facts were also discovered during the event, such as the first documented interracial marriage which took place in Southwark in 1770.

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Thank you to everyone who joined us on our BIG Largactyl Shuffle Walk. We received very positive feedback about the walk.

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The Liberty Festival took place on the 3rd September 2011 at the South Bank  Centre. The festival celebrated 60 years anniversary of the Festival of Britain and the National Theatre. The occasion was marked with  music,cabaret, dance performances and Multimedia Arts.

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An exciting urban exploration walk of the area where the Olympics and Paralympics will take place in 2012. During the walk we discovered the place, people and local community, a brilliant afternoon with lovely people. One walker said: ” This walk made me realise what the Olympics are all about and I discovered a new area in London. The walk leaders were brilliant, I learned a lot. I’ll come again!”

Photos by Brigitte Flock

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The Batik Retrospective in August 2011 was an exciting exhibition and fashion show at CoolTan Arts. It involved celebrating the achievements of the Batik and Textiles class since it started in 2006 with their first major ‘RetroSpective, coinciding with the 60^th Anniversary of the Festival of Britain’.

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Wednesday 20 July at the South London Gallery. The Clore Studio at South London Gallery was buzzing with excitement. A diverse group of around 50 people, sharing a common interest in CoolTan gather in the Gallery’s studio to listen to a sound scape and to witness the premiere of the documentary on the Largactyl Shuffle Walks “Innovation in Mad Culture”,  funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and the Mayor’s Story of London. Download a full review of this project here.

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CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle on 16th July was an exciting literary walk with storytelling, celebrating literature, spoken word and poetry. An experimental performance piece; the talks and readings from the walk were recorded for a sound art project, a collaboration with South London Gallery and artist Isa Suarez.

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Night time is the time for the Outsider, the sleepless, the restless, and the wanderer. Charles Dickens, an avid nightwalker, asked: “Are not the sane and the insane equal at night as the sane lie a dreaming?” Over 50 people joined CoolTan Arts Midnight Largactyl Shuffle on 19 June 2011, following in the footsteps of past and present nightwalkers; and celebrating summer solstice, marking the shortest night of the year, and the magic of pagan midsummer.

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Intrigued? Contact us for more information or drop an email to info@cooltanarts.org.uk to be added to the mailing list and receive updates and event invitations.

Around 70 people came along to our Open Day & Mad Hatters Tea party and joined a fun afternoon with taster workshops, film screening and debate.
Have a look at the images. Want to join next time? Drop an email to info@cooltanarts.org.uk with your details and we’ll add you to our mailing list.

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On a beautiful afternoon, 21 May 2011,  a group of walkers met at Tate Modern for guided cultural walk through South London discovering hidden places and learning about the history surrounding May Day in Southwark, arts and mental health.

The walkers were joined by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence who  performed a blessing, marking IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia). The walk finished at Camberwell Green with Maypole Dancing. A fun afternoon for wellbeing.

Check out some photos here:

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For more images from Zoe, a Largactyl Shuffle walker, follow this link

Local MP Simon Hughes visited CoolTan Arts to discuss with our staff, volunteers and participants how the funding cuts and changes in health and social care affect services. A great turnout at the meeting proves the importance of CoolTan Arts’s work for recovery and the commitment of participants. Simon Hughes shows his concern and sympathy, and pledges to support CoolTan Arts.

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