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!

The walk ends at Camberwell Green in time for the Grand Unveiling of the CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle Bench at 3pm, next to the Ginkgo Tree planted to commemorate World Mental Health Day 2011.

The sculptural bench, designed by Rossan Daskalov, was made possible by Camberwell Community Council’s Cleaner Greener Safer fund awarded to CoolTan Arts and creates a place of calm contemplation for all to enjoy.

Come a dancing and a drumming,
through the streets of Southwark this May.
In hand we’ll have a May Day pole,
and also have lots to say;

Sid Barrett gets a mention,
and there’ll be a song or two.
We will interest you with history,
about the Borough and the zoo!

We will meet at 12 beside the Tate Modern,
and take you all in hand.
Dress up, bring drums, come bearing gifts,
and join our merry band (of largactyl shufflers).

All Welcome!

The walk leaders wear orange high-viz vests and rucksacks. Call CoolTan Arts on 07985 658443 if you cannot find the group of walkers on the day.

The walk is free but voluntary donations will be appreciated. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. The walk is accessible to wheelchair users and people with disabilities.

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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.

The Largactyl Shuffle is a creative wellbeing, stigma-busting walk, set up by CoolTan Arts in 2006, linking mental health and art. Camberwell Green marks a half-way meeting point for Largactyl Shuffle walkers.

The sculptural bench, created by artist Rossen Daskalov, is an important landmark for CoolTan Arts and for the local community – made from oak timber, the bench design is based on the theme of reconnecting, with each other and with nature. Sited next to the Ginkgo Tree planted by CoolTan Arts to commemorate World Mental Health Day 2011, the bench creates a place of calm contemplation for all to enjoy.

Rossen said, “I wanted the bench to stand as an object, a form and an image and its sculptural qualities to reflect the integrity of CoolTan Arts. Essential to this interrelation is how the tensions of the form were resolved in the material. The durability of the oak relates to being able to withstand storms. As a bench on Camberwell Green these trees will remind the community of how the energies of CoolTan’s artists grow in the creative soil of CoolTan Arts.”

We look forward to seeing you there!

Here is some photographs of the bench being made

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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.

Current volunteering opportunities:

Admin Assistant
We need a volunteer to help with admin at our weekly walks meetings. Duties include writing minutes, distributing info about meetings and doing online listings.

Photographer
A Photography Volunteer with their own camera is wanted to record and document the walks and distribute posters and flyers in East London.

Walk Leader
We need a volunteer Walk Leader to support groups of people on a historical walk, help with group research activities and inspire people within the mental health community to talk short walks.

Communications Volunteer
There is an opportunity for a Communications Volunteer for the Walks Project which is a great opportunity for anyone interested in volunteering in PR, journalism or communications for a charity.

Practical Volunteer/Walk Assistant
We need a Practical Volunteer/Volunteer Walk Assistant which is an ideal post for someone looking to get into a routine and see if volunteering is for them. No qualifications are needed and on-the-job training will be given.

Graphic Designer
We’re also looking for help with the graphic design for the Walks Project and need a Graphic Design Volunteer to help create designs that will reflect the diversity of CoolTan’s participants.

Researcher
We need a Research Volunteer with good oral and written communications skills to help find new research for walk leaders to use on walks.

Personal experience of mental distress or empathy for people experiencing mental distress is essential in all these roles.

CoolTan Arts is running free training for everybody who volunteers with our East London Walks.
Whether you help on one walk or all our walks, volunteering with this project entitles you to all our free training below:

• Using the Archives in Hackney: Tues 26th June, 12-3pm. Dalston James CLR Library, Hackney.
• Mental Health First Aid: Date TBC, Center for Better Health (probably in June or July)
• First Aid at Work: Date TBC, at CoolTan Arts (probably in June or July)

Book your place now with Clara, or discuss volunteering with this project:

clara@cooltanarts.org.uk, or ring 0207 183 0357, mobile: 07982 423559, or leave a message with CoolTan Arts’ main number: 0207 201 2696

CoolTan Arts has been awarded a Transformers grant, funded by the National Lottery, through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, and managed by the East London Business Alliance.

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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. Project mobile on the day: 07982 423559.

Our walks are organised and run by volunteers. We aim to make all walks accessible; please ring to discuss any access needs.

Be part of the project! Help design walks, training provided. CoolTan Arts welcomes volunteers with or without disabilities.
Contact Clara Jones for more information: 0207 701 2696 or clara@cooltanarts.org.uk.

CoolTan Arts has been awarded a Transformers grant, funded by the National Lottery, through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, and managed by the East London Business Alliance.

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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. We weren’t able to see the floor but we had a talk about Walter Crane, his art and politics. We stopped there for an excellent if rather expensive lunch.

In the afternoon we wound our way through quiet streets to Faraday Gardens, where we had a welcome sit-down on the grass in the sunshine. We heard about William Morris and his contribution to art, craft, literature and socialism, about dress reform in the nineteenth century, and about the DIY and crafts movement from the 1940’s to the present day-with particular reference to punk embroidery! Some of the group continued the walk to Dickens Gardens but most of us then called it a day, as it had started to rain.

All in all, a very successful day.

Here are some pictures from the walk …

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CoolTan Arts’ new lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans (LGBT) group meets for the first time this Monday 30th April at 6pm.

This meeting will initially be to discuss, plan and develop the CoolTan LGBT group and what we aim to achieve.

As CoolTan will be closed we will move on to a local cafe for the meeting.

For further details, please contact Lu: lucooltanarts@gmail.com or phone 0207 701 2696

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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!

Here’s a selection of photos from the event. Check back soon for a full review.

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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.

Michelle Baharier, CoolTan Arts CEO said: – “We are really excited to be a winner! We are working in the front line, experiencing massive cuts and seeing people who are experiencing exceedingly difficult times. CoolTan Arts runs an annual sponsored walk where we raise money, to help us help you please save the date 20 October 2012 and join us”.

Founder of Mental Healthy,Charlotte Fantelli said: – “The humbling work individuals and organisations are doing across the globe takes my breath away. Every single Mental Healthy Hero Award winner has done something extraordinary in an area that is not glitzy or glamorous and that takes great strength and human kindness, not only the winners but every candidate is a hero that deserves recognition.”

Judges of the awards included some big names in the world of mental health including Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, Marjorie Wallace, CBE, founder and chief of Emergence. executive of SANE and Kath Lovell founder

The business awards, which recognise the achievements of businesses who champion mental health, are judged by Andy Bell, Deputy CEO of The Centre for Mental Health and Mental Healthy’s very own co-founder and entrepreneur of the year Simon Dolan.

For information on the awards, visit: www.mentalhealthy.co.uk/mental-health-awards

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Rags, Tags and a Velvet Gown

CoolTan Arts is delighted to announce that once again our  textile design group have secured a place at the catwalk show in Alternative Fashion week.

Held at Spitalfields Market in East London April 16th – 21th, Alternative Fashion Week showcases the best and brightest of emerging fashion talent. CoolTan Arts are one of only 80 designers selected to show, out of thousands of entries from all over the world.

CoolTan’s collection can be seen on 20^th April. Doors open at 1.15 and admission is free.

CoolTan Arts’ theme of ‘rags tags and a velvet gown’ inspired by Dickens and Victorian dress, promises to be a highlight, with unique, handmade, up-cycled, batiked and bedazzled garments.

The mystery and hidden history of a Dickensian ‘rag shop’ is swept up by a modern whirlwind, and transformed into an array of beautiful draped and shaped garments for women of all shapes, sizes and imaginations.

This show will build on previous successes at Alternative Fashion Week in 2009 and 2010. CoolTan Arts CEO Michelle Baharier said, ‘It’s fantastic to be able to bring the iconic images of Dickens’ characters to life by reinterpreting them through fashion.’

To celebrate Charles Dickens’ bi-centenery in 2012, and his connection to their part of London, the group looked at Victorian dress, and took inspiration from modern designers to create hoods, cloaks and draped garments in luxury and recycled fabrics.

Clara Jones, CoolTan Arts’ Volunteer Coordinator said about the collection: – ‘Recycled clothing reflects the ethics of our charity. We believe in sustainable fashion’.

The colour palette of the designs is rich and warm, using flowing silks, cottons and linens. Rag rug techniques are used to create unusual trims, patchwork cloths of many colours make an appearance, and hand-painted and dyed Batik designs enrich and beautify hand-made garments.

One participant, Ese Imonioro said: –  ‘It is exciting to once again to be part of this professional show and to see our own work on the catwalk, we have been working very hard to prepare the collection’.

The textile group meets on Tuesdays from 2-4pm and has been running since 2004. The group gives participants the opportunity to learn skills such as batik, knitting, embroidery, pattern cutting and sewing and to take their designs from an original idea through to a finished garment.

The group is currently open to new participants who have a personal budget. We are also looking for volunteer tutors with teaching experience and textile skills, particularly batik. If you would like to get involved, please contact Clara: clara@cooltanarts.org.uk or phone 020 7701 2696.

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