CoolTans Arts at Alternative Fashion Week: 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 20th 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 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.

CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle 19th Nov: William Blake

Date: Saturday 19^th November 2011

Starting: Tate Modern, Riverside (main entrance) SE1 9TG Finishing: Bunhill

Times: 12noon – 4pm Cost: free/voluntary donation

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

This walk focuses on William Blake, an English poet, painter, and printmaker (1757 – 1827). Largely unrecognized during his lifetime, Blake is now considered a seminal figure in the history of both the poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age. During the walk, we will explore themes of Poetry, Art, The City of London, Blake’s influence on artists, Religion, Politics, Revolutionaries, Abolition, Riots and Mental Health, not to mention Non-Conformism!

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

All are welcome!

The walk is suitable for people with a disabilities and wheel chair users. Our friendly CoolTan guides will be there to help you. Please bring a packed lunch and drinks, wear suitable clothes and sensible footwear.

All contributions are much appreciated www.justgiving.com/cooltanarts

Contact: Lu Firth/Susan McNally Telephone: 020 7701 2696/0798 565 8443

CoolTan Arts Exhibition at Carnegie Library

INVITATION: Opening on 16th November 6-9pm CoolTan Arts Exhibition at Carnegie Library 11th-30th November CoolTan Arts are delighted to announce a new exhibition of participants and tutors creative work. The exhibition will explore the theme of the positive impact of art in relation to mental health and wellbeing –ranging from mixed media, collage, painting and sculpture to batik and drawing. Carnegie Library is a picturesque Grade II listed building, combining framework with Tudor style mullioned and leaded windows. The historic building forms an exciting juxtaposition to the vibrant, colourful and cutting-edge contemporary work of CoolTan Arts. We hope you can join us for the Opening on 16th November 6-9pm, the exhibition will run from 11th - 30th November and entry is free. Opening times: Monday - 1pm-8pm, Wednesday & Friday - 10am-6pm, Saturday - 9am-5pm