CoolTan Arts launches its poetry book ‘Anthropology’, produced by CoolTan Arts’ poets in our workshop, at the Liberty Festival on 4^th September 2010.  The title is a play on the word ‘anthology’, of course; it’s also meant to evoke the sense that people with mental distress often have of being clinically observed: seen as phenomena rather than as individuals.

With their poetry, our writers are expressing a much broader, truer, more interesting picture of their own perspectives – which take in everything, from flights of fancy to political rant.

Thanks to a grant from Vodaphone world of Difference we seconded Elizabeth Cochrane, who worked with our poetry group, the tutor Emile Sercombe and volunteer Trevor Kemp to finalise this amazing poetry book.

Ali Smith, a brilliant and respected writer and patron of CoolTan Arts has written the foreword to the poetry book that we are publishing, called Anthropology. She called the book a “heartening collection”, quoting many lines from individual works.  She says it is “a book of brilliant growling poems, dandified wild work”, and “funny, witty, moving, political, sassy, wise“.  Everyone is so delighted with these words: it means so much to get outside support.

The book is dedicated to David Morris, the disability campaigner who passed away earlier this year. He was a massive supporter of CoolTan Arts and was also Senior Policy Advisor on Disability to the Mayor of London.

He was closely engaged in the organisation of the Liberty Festival, celebrating the contribution of Deaf and disabled people to London’s culture.

It’s a real honour for CoolTan Arts to launch ‘ANTHROPOLOGY’ at this year’s Liberty Festival on September 4^th.

CoolTan will launch its Anthropology with a performance by our poets and we’ll also have a stall. It will be a great chance to meet the poets, buy to poetry book and enjoy performances from a wide range of UK artists and companies as well as workshops, stalls, food and much more.

This year Liberty Festival programme includes: Sport and Arts, Aerial Performance, Street Arts, Children’s Arts, Cabaret and Comedy, Music

Liberty welcomes everyone and is friendly and accessible. Complete programme on http://www.london.gov.uk/liberty/.

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11^th September, 2pm at Hackney Marshes

COOLTAN ARTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TWO2GO…

Join CoolTan Arts for an urban exploration walk of the area where the Olympics and Paralympics will take place in 2012; find out about the place, people and local community, and how the Olympics / Paralympics affect the everyday lives of Hackney community. It will be entertaining, with lots of quirky details and facts you never knew before!

Experience the clash between the former industrial area and the funky artistic area Hackney has become, and how it changed with the preparations and constructions for the Olympics.

Explore the story of the Olympics and Paralympics, what they bring to London’s Olympic Boroughs, the changes of the area, and walk past some of the key Olympics sites.

This exciting walk is part of the main Two2Go event that also feature a trial marathon, shorter runs, arts activities and facepainting. Two2Go and CoolTan Arts gained Olympic “Inspire” status for these events due to their stimulating, accessible and participative nature.

So come down at 2pm to Hackney Marshes in Homerton Road, London, E9 5PF and take part!

The walk will end at Pudding Mill Lane by View tube; some of the walk leaders will be able to take you back to the main Two2Go event at Hackney Marshes.

Michelle Baharier, Chief Executive at CoolTan Arts says:

“It’s a once-in a life-time opportunity to become involved with the Olympics, some people get really excited about it. Currently mental health is not part of the disability side of the Olympics, the Paralympics. CoolTan Arts’ partnership with Two2Go and its involvement with the Olympics get mental health included and make people more aware of mental health issues. CoolTan Arts hopes that through this partnership we can bring mental health and wellbeing more on the agenda for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.”

Further information about CoolTan Arts is available from Kathrin Kirrmann, Communications Manager, 020 7701 2696 or 0798 565 8443,

kathrin@cooltanarts.org.uk , http://www.cooltanarts.org.uk

For more details about Two2Go and complete event line-up: http://www.two2go.org.uk/Home

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Join the fun, celebrate Mad Culture and World Mental Health Day

Saturday 09 October 2010

11.30am for a 12noon start

Where:  Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, SE5 8AZ  (by the main entrance)

Finish: Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG

Celebrate Mad Heritage with CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle, a guided cultural walk from the Maudsley Hospital to Tate Modern. We will be celebrating World Mental Health Day and ‘mad’ culture by placing disposable public sculptures that explore the past, present and future of “Madness and Contemporary Psychiatric Innovation”, along the walk route from the Maudsley Hospital to the Tate Modern.

The Maudsley Hospital was the first treatment hospital for those experiencing mental health issues, which was revolutionary at that time.  Up until then, it was the madhouse or incarceration for anyone experiencing mental distress.  And the Tate Modern is a celebration of modern art.

Discover Octavia Hill at Red Cross Gardens, Charles Babbage on Larcom Street, Southwark-born Michael Faraday at Faraday Gardens and Sir Peter Mansfield at the Institute of Psychiatry. The walk finishes with a reception at Tate Modern, where we celebrate David Morris and his pioneering work relating to disability and mental health.

Along the route walkers will have the opportunity to share their views, discover the work of these key figures in mental health as well as 5 sculptures made by CoolTan participants.

From the Maudsely Hospital to Tate Modern, a sponsored walk to raise money and challenge stigma associated with mental distress. Go to http://www.justgiving.com/cooltanartslargactylwalkers to sponsor us, or even better, join the walk, get yourself sponsored and help us all.

The walk is 5.8 miles and it is suitable for people with a disabilities and wheel chair users – do as much as you can. Our friendly CoolTan guides will be there to help you.

Get involved and help make mental health a global concern. All we ask is that you commit to doing the walk with us on the 9^th October 2010, and that you raise some money to help us!

Only £5 registration fee. Download a registration form and return it to Clara on clara@cooltanarts.org.uk together with your registration fee.

Once you sign up, you receive a sponsorship form or you can set up a site on www.justgiving.com to start fundraising.

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“2012 OLYMPICS IS COMING TO COOLTAN”

‘Get Ready2Go’ launch event on July 24^th with Arts2Go

Largactyl2Go on 11^th September

COOLTAN ARTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TWO2GO…

With the fever of the World Cup over, the countdown for London 2012 Olympic Games has started. On the Olympic Open Weekend from 23-25 July 2010 Londoners will be able to celebrate a two years countdown to the London 2012 Games.

CoolTan Arts is promptly gearing up towards the London 2012 Olympics and partnering with Two2Go. The partnership between the two organisations offers an exciting opportunity to promote physical and mental wellbeing, to endorse the aims of the Olympic and Paralympic legacy and increase sports participation and healthier lifestyles.

Whereas Two2Go aims to encourage Sport and Exercise amongst people of all ages, CoolTan Arts is well placed in the promotion of wellbeing and brings Arts and creativity to the Olympic countdown.

CoolTan Arts is partnering in a series of Two2Go events:

The ‘Get Ready2Go’ launch event on July 24^th is a community festival and will be a chance to get involved in free sporting activities, aerobics and arts. CoolTan Arts brings indeed an artistic touch to this fun and exciting event and runs an Arts2Go workshop with face painting and mural design inspired by the Olympics and Paralympics. This event has the dual purpose of promoting the Olympic legacy in London and increasing participation via encouraging and providing opportunities for everyone to get active and become involved in sport.

This event is followed by the main Two2Go event on 11^th September with a trial marathon, shorter runs and CoolTan Arts’ historical guided Largactyl2Go walk.

Two2Go and CoolTan Arts gained Olympic “Inspire” status for these two events due to their stimulating, accessible and participative nature.

A day of FREE fun – celebrating the countdown to London 2012, promoting good health and participation in sport and recreation in and around Hackney.  So come down to the Olympic Open Weekend ‘Get Ready2Go’ launch event on July 24^th 9am-2pm, by the famous Hackney Marshes in Homerton Road, London, E9 5PF and take part!

Additional information:

CoolTan Arts is an innovative mental health charity based in South London.

CoolTan Arts believes mental wellbeing is enhanced by the power of creativity. It is a pioneering arts and mental health charity that exists to inspire the wellbeing and creative participation of a diverse range of people through the production of quality arts. The organisation is run by and for people with mental distress and aims to de-stigmatise mental health through arts and exercise.

Further information about CoolTan Arts is available from Kathrin Kirrmann, Communications Officer,

020 7701 2696 or 0798 565 8443, kathrin@cooltanarts.org.uk , http://www.cooltanarts.org.uk

For more details about Two2Go and complete event line-up: http://www.two2go.org.uk/Home

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Date:  21 August 2010

Start: 12 noon at Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, SE5 8AZ

Join CoolTan Arts on this fun filled family day out with treasure hunt and interactive quiz. Discover local history, famous & infamous inhabitants of Southwark, and uncover the history of mental health in the borough. All welcome, bring your children, family and friends.

CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle is a guided cultural walk from the Maudsley Hospital to Tate Modern designed to encourage mental and physical wellbeing, through art, exercise, humour and history, de-stigmatizing mental distress.

Come along and add to the discussion and exploration, share your thoughts and ideas, enjoy the company of others and have fun.

Walkers meet at 12 noon at the main entrance of Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, SE5 8AZ. Call CoolTan Arts on 07985658443 if you require further information or cannot find the group of walkers on the day.

5 Mile walk through the back streets of Southwark- allow 3-4 hours.  Feel free to bring sandwiches and a bottle of water, with suntan lotion and a hat.  Along the route there will be an opportunity to have a 20 minute break at CoolTan Arts for refreshments and to view artwork created by CoolTan participants. The walk is free but a voluntary contribution will be appreciated, all money goes towards CoolTan Arts.

Additional Information

Photograph by Michael Fox.

CoolTan Arts believes mental wellbeing is enhanced by the power of creativity. It exists to inspire the well-being and creative participation of a diverse range of people through the production of quality art.

The Largactyl Shuffle is named after an anti-psychotic drug which has severe physical side effects.

We are proud to have as Patrons: Maggi Hambling, Sokari Douglas Camp, Ali Smith, Clare Allan and Rosemary Shrager.

Further information is available from: Kathrin Kirrmann, Communications Officer, CoolTan Arts, 020 7701 2696 kathrin@cooltanarts.org.uk

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CoolTan Arts and Creekside artists at the Fringe

Poetry & Spoken Word Night + Open Mic Night

Wednesday 25 August 2010, 7.30pm – 9.30

CoolTan Arts partners with Creekside artists to co-host a free evening of poetry & Spoken Word, with CoolTan poets presenting their work, short films and Open Mic as part of the Alternative Fringe Festival.

Participants from CoolTan Arts poetry workshop will read their poems at this event and you will have the opportunity to get a preview of CoolTan Arts’ ‘Anthropology’ Poetry Book that will be officially launched at the Liberty Festival on 4^th September.

CoolTan Arts is an arts mental health charity that believes mental wellbeing is enhanced by the power of creativity. CoolTan Arts believes mental wellbeing is enhanced by the power of creativity. It is a pioneering arts and mental health charity that exists to inspire the wellbeing and creative participation of a diverse range of people through the production of quality arts. The organisation is run by and for people with mental distress and aims to de-stigmatise mental health through arts and exercise. The charity run workshops for adults experiencing mental distress including, visual arts, drawing, web design, photoshop, batik and poetry.

Creekside artists are a charity bringing art out into the community with all-inclusive events. They like  to organise events where we can interact with the local community, to create interaction & discourse between artists and the public – to create interaction between other art organisations, working together to further our creative endeavours.

All welcome, come along to this exciting and inspiring event.

Seven Dials Club is based in 42 Earlham Street, London, WC2H 9LA, near Covent Garden.

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“2012 OLYMPICS IS COMING TO COOLTAN”

Arts2Go 24 July and Largactyl2Go 11 September….

COOLTAN ARTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TWO2GO…

With the fever of the World Cup over, the countdown for London 2012 Olympic Games has started. On the Olympic Open Weekend from 23-25 July 2010 Londoners will be able to celebrate a two years countdown to the London 2012 Games.

CoolTan Arts is promptly gearing up towards the London 2012 Olympics and partnering with Two2Go. The partnership between the two organisations offers an exciting opportunity to promote physical and mental wellbeing, to endorse the aims of the Olympic and Paralympic legacy and increase sports participation and healthier lifestyles.

Whereas Two2Go aims to encourage Sport and Exercise amongst people of all ages, CoolTan Arts is well placed in the promotion of wellbeing and brings Arts and creativity to the Olympic countdown.

CoolTan Arts is partnering in a series of Two2Go events:

The ‘Get Ready2Go’ launch event on July 24^th is a community festival and will be a chance to get involved in free sporting activities, aerobics and arts. CoolTan Arts brings indeed an artistic touch to this fun and exciting event and runs an Arts2Go workshop with face painting and mural design inspired by the Olympics and Paralympics. This event has the dual purpose of promoting the Olympic legacy in London and increasing participation via encouraging and providing opportunities for everyone to get active and become involved in sport.

This event is followed by the main Two2Go event on 11^th September with a trial marathon, shorter runs and CoolTan Arts’ historical guided Largactyl2Go walk.

Two2Go and CoolTan Arts gained Olympic “Inspire” status for these two events due to their stimulating, accessible and participative nature.

A day of FREE fun – celebrating the countdown to London 2012, promoting good health and participation in sport and recreation in and around Hackney.  So come down to the Olympic Open Weekend ‘Get Ready2Go’ launch event on July 24^th 9am-2pm, by the famous Hackney Marshes in Homerton Road, London, E9 5PF and take part!

Additional Information:

CoolTan Arts is an innovative mental health charity based in South London.

CoolTan Arts believes mental wellbeing is enhanced by the power of creativity. It is a pioneering arts and mental health charity that exists to inspire the wellbeing and creative participation of a diverse range of people through the production of quality arts. The organisation is run by and for people with mental distress and aims to de-stigmatise mental health through arts and exercise.

Further information about CoolTan Arts is available from Kathrin Kirrmann, Communications Officer,

020 7701 2696 or 0798 565 8443, kathrin@cooltanarts.org.uk , http://www.cooltanarts.org.uk

For more details about Two2Go and complete event line-up: http://www.two2go.org.uk/Home

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