CoolTan Arts is fundraising for Cooltan Arts

CoolTan Arts is fundraising for Cooltan Arts

Join CoolTan Arts for an innovative guided cultural walk through Southwark from Maudsley Hospital to Tate Modern taking place on Saturday 9 October! A celebration of ‘mad’ culture, explore the past, present and future of “Madness and Contemporary Psychiatric Innovation”, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and part of The Story of London Festival. The mayors of both Southwark and Lambeth will be present on the walk. Bio-degradable sculptures will be placed along the route. Discover Octavia Hill at Red Cross Gardens, Charles Babbage on Larcom Street, Michael Faraday at Faraday Gardens, Sir Peter Mansfield at the Institute of Psychiatry and David Morris at Tate Modern. Celebrate mad and eccentric culture by joining us on our Largactyl Shuffle and reception at the Tate Modern for a donation of only £5! Sign up now, check our website cooltanarts.org.uk , visit out JustGiving page or email clara@cooltanarts.org.uk with your details and donate your £5 through paypal.

Ruby Wax & Judith Owen 'Losing It' @ CoolTan Arts [review by Zoe King]

Ruby Wax and Judith Owen at CoolTan Arts - review by Zoe King, CoolTan Arts

CoolTan Arts were delighted to be contacted by Ruby, offering to premier the rewrite of her show, ‘Losing It’, at our arts centre – we’d never imagined that we’d be chosen as a venue prior to her taking on the West

End.

Likewise, I’m fairly sure that Ruby Wax never imagined she’d be performing on the possibly world’s smallest stage, alongside cats wandering in and out of the building, and glamorous facilities such as an art room disguised as a dressing room, and a frankly terrifying Portaloo. The event was held as a fundraiser, as CoolTan urgently need to move to new premises (see my previous Portaloo point).

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the show. My previous experience of Ms Wax is confined to vague memories of her going through Imelda Marcos’ shoe collection and a brief appearance in Red Dwarf. I knew that she’s involved in campaigning against mental health stigma, and that she’d spent time in The Priory. My immediate thoughts were that ‘Losing It’ was going to be either very, very good or very, very misguided. Fortunately, it turned out to be the former.

Ruby was accompanied by Judith Owen, a talented singer-songwriter, described as ‘a female Randy Newman. ‘Losing It’ being a two-woman show, they both have lived experience of mental distress. Combine them with the evening’s audience, and I suspect that we slightly skewed the statistic of ‘one in four people have/had mental health problems’ for the night.

The show started with Ruby thanking various pharmaceutical companies, then Judith’s shimmering music provided an smooth transition into a veritable rollercoaster of a show. Ruby’s story of her life - from childhood to the present day – was frank, funny, and forthright. She covered the ups and downs; her manic highs and serious depressions, her dealing and not dealing with fame and celebrity. Her guide to marriage (the ‘Negotiated Deal’) and to love and hormones (neuroscience combined with cold turkey) were hysterical; her observations on being young, growing old and everything in between struck a chord with many of the audience, belly laughs being a common denominator among us.

Judith provided a perfect foil to Ruby’s outgoingness – the chemistry between the two women (they are also friends in real life) was tangible, and their on-stage personas have been described as being in a co-dependent relationship; Ruby representing the manic side of bi-polar, and Judith the depression.

Nothing was taboo – mental health, psychiatric treatment (and hospitalisation), medication, self-image, celebrity, relationships and the “lack of an instruction manual for life” were all discussed openly and honestly, laced with razor-sharp wit and the odd slip of Ruby’s tongue firmly into her cheek. Judith provided the perfect musical complement, along with a deadpan delivery. At the end, she held a Q&A session, and offered to see if she was free to join us on our annual Sponsored Walk on the 9^th October.

In the space of an hour-and-a-bit, I laughed more than I have over the last couple of months. Far from being the intimidating characters that I’d imagined, Ruby and Judith made me and my companions feel like we were on the same level as them, giving a warm, empathetic and insightful view into their experiences. An evening of bittersweet comedy, with a serious message behind it, the show seemed to resonate with many of our own lives. Laughter being the best medicine, I’m tempted to suggest that ‘Losing It’ should be available on prescription from all good GPs.

‘Losing It’ will be touring nationally and in London’s West End over the next few months, and part of ticket proceeds will be donated to Comic Relief.

Largactyl2Go - Olympic Village Walk

Largactyl 2 Go – Olympic-inspired urban exploration walk with CoolTan Arts

11th 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!

View PDF map of the route and information of stops here

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.

Anthropology’ launch at the Liberty Festival 4th Sept 2010, 1pm-5pm, Trafalgar Square

‘Anthropology’ launch at the Liberty Festival

4th Sept 2010, 1pm-5pm, Trafalgar Square

CoolTan Arts launches its poetry book ‘Anthropology’, produced by CoolTan Arts’ poets in our workshop, at the Liberty Festival on 4th September 2010.

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 the poetry book and enjoy performances from a wide range of UK artists and companies as well as workshops, stalls, food and much more.

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.

This amazing poetry book is dedicated to David Morris, the disability campaigner who passed away earlier this year, supporter of CoolTan Arts and was also Senior Policy Advisor on Disability to the Mayor of London, having been closely engaged in the organisation of the Liberty Festival.

Ali Smith, a brilliant and respected writer and patron of CoolTan Arts has written the foreword to Anthropology.

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

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

CoolTan Arts and Creekside artists at the Fringe : Poetry & Spoken Word Night + Open Mic Night

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 cohost 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 4th September. 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.

CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle Family Treasure Hunt / Quiz Date: 21 August 2010 Start: 12noon at Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, SE5 8A

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. 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

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 http://www.cooltanarts.org.uk

A sentimental blues? - CoolTan Arts’ response to ‘Depression? It’s just the new trendy illness!’ by Janet Street Porter

A sentimental blues? CoolTan Arts’ response to ‘Depression? It’s just the new trendy illness!’ by Janet Street Porter, Daily Mail 19th May 2010 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1278510/Depression-Its-just-new-trendy-illness.html If you have a problem, talking - or writing - helps. Bottling up concerns and anxieties is damaging. Having a better grasp on the facts and a heightened social awareness of mental distress is a key step in moving forward and finding positive ways to ease the suffering experienced by a growing amount of people. Janet Street Porter recently branded a number of middle class women of exploiting experiences of depression, when arguably they should be understood. Who are we to judge what another person’s depression might be like? Her article raises a distinct social and financial ‘class’ question. And supposedly enough wealth can buy proper treatment, yet why is mental distress still on the rise across all communities? We are given no facts to support any of Janet Street Porter’s article. Is telling the women cited to, in effect, simply ‘pull their socks up and get over it’ a proviso for a positive resolution? Articles such as this carelessly promote unnecessary and negative stigma. Our western lifestyle is manic. It’s terrifically fast and ferocious and changes have happened quickly. Our working week is one of the longest in Europe and pressure is greater than it has been. As the medical world has improved it’s methods of diagnosing and treating clinical depression, bi-polar, and other forms of mental distress, the word ‘depression’ has become a word that’s being casually thrown about in everyday life. Serious conditions can be belittled and undermined through misunderstanding. Or I misunderstood Ms Street-Porter’s point that melancholy is increasingly used to boost popularity, to gain attention and of course, sell celebrity-endorsed books? Whatever, there is something seriously off kilter when people who voice concerns about their own well being, are ignored, mistreated, or not taken seriously. This is a tragedy. It’s common to hear of people misinformed and encouraged into prescribed drug dependency when other courses of action could be much more effective. Alternate solutions should be offered and sought, and social therapy could be encouraged; often the charities and organisations who offer these avenues are not adequately recognised, supported or promoted. Some forms of mental distress are increasing rapidly and we need a better plan of action to combat destructive attitudes and find ways to bring stability and equal care into our communities. Is there a lack of creativity in the ‘system’ that reinforces isolation and pressure? One example is CoolTan Arts, a charity challenging stigma and campaigning for the rights of people experiencing mental distress. CoolTan Arts works from a vibrant arts centre near Elephant and Castle in South London. Run by and for people with mental distress, it believes mental well being is enhanced by the power of creativity. We would very much welcome Janet Street Porter to come and visit us, at her convenience, and hopefully revise her opinions. “Mixed anxiety and depression, according to the ONS 2000 survey, is experienced by 9.2 per cent of adults in Britain… the figures show an increase in the prevalence of mixed anxiety with depression compared with the 1993 survey by 1.4 per cent (from 7.8 per cent to 9.2 per cent). Source: ONS, 2000, Psychiatric morbidity among adults living in private households in Great Britain.” Source: http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/commonstats.html Written by Martin Walsh ©, volunteer at CoolTan Arts, with members of CoolTan Arts’ Self-Advocacy Training Course. More information about CoolTan Arts is available on W: www.cooltanarts.org.uk , E: info@cooltanarts.org.uk, T: 020 77012696.

CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle Sociability, Science and Sanity

Come and join the Largactyl Shuffle to take a sociable stroll, learn about the science of the mind and keep your sanity as we take an amble through the history of Southwark. CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle is a guided cultural walk through Southwark from the Maudsley Hospital to Tate Modern designed to encourage mental and physical wellbeing, through art, exercise, humour and history, de-stigmatizing mental health. 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. Further information is available from: Kathrin Kirrmann, Communications Officer, CoolTan Arts, 020 7701 2696 kathrin@cooltanarts.org.uk www.cooltanarts.org.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7015166753 twitter: www.twitter.com/cooltan4

Mad Hatters Tea Party: 12 June 1pm - 5pm

Have a fun day out, meet like-minded people and make friends. Create your own bookmark, design a T-Shirt for the Midnight Walk, join taster workshops in Batik, podcasting, screen printing and Ikebana (the art of Japanese flower arranging), join us at CoolTan Arts centre for some chit-chat, tea, coffee and cakes. The party will take place at our office address at: Unit B, 237 Walworth Road, London, SE17 1RL at 1pm and will finish by 5pm. For more information contact CoolTan Arts on 020 77012696, info@cooltanarts.org.uk , http://www.cooltanarts.org.uk/

CoolTan Arts at the Catwalk

CoolTan Arts graced the catwalk at the Alternative Fashion Show in Old Spitalfields Market on a promising and sun kissed afternoon, celebrating the alternative and debuting their latest collection, Twisted Tartan.

CoolTan Arts are no stranger to the Spitalfields runway; this is the third consecutive year they’ve strutted their fashion alternatives and promoted a true understanding for the need of a healthy alternative. Their designs and ideas grew from a collective of Southwark residents who regularly attend the weekly CoolTan Arts Batik workshop, led by Lydia Honeybone. Their theme this year was tartan, and the theme was twisted with pure ingenuity and craftsmanship.

Twisted Tartan crafted a dynamic that captured the attention and hearts of its audience. Anyone lucky enough to bear witness to this year’s Alternative Fashion Show and its wealth of variety in textures, colours, and creativity will likely never forget it. Contemporary art was perfectly woven into blissfully alternative fashion.

Support CoolTan Arts at the London Marathon!

Support Brian Frisby! He is running the 2010 Virgin London Marathon for CoolTan Arts. He is working for the London Borough of Southwark and says he wants to support a local charity and is particularly interested in ways to support people with mental health needs and the contribution that community arts organisations can make.

We are all thrilled Brian has chosen CoolTan Arts and wish him all the best for the London Marathon! Please show your support and sponsor Brian – just £0.10 per mile, i.e. £2.62, will make a big difference.

You can sponsor Brian on http://www.justgiving.com/BrianFrisby or join his group on facebook for more updates http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=113679108654694&v=info&ref=mf

CoolTan Arts Fashion Show

Come and see the fantastic work done by CoolTan Arts' original designers. Designs include beautiful Batik designs made with dazzling patterns, which are made using the application of silk and wax. The event will take place on the 20th April 2010 at Spitalfields Traders Market, Crispin Place, Brushfield Street E1 at 1:15pm. Nearest tube and rail stations are Aldgate (Circle and Metropolitan Line) and Aldgate East (District and Hammersmith and City Line). Nearest bus stop is on Bishopsgate where the bus routes 8, 26, 35, 43, 48, 78, 149, 242, 243A stops and 67, which stops at Commercial Street. Car parks are available on Whites Row and Hanbury Street. Spaces would be allocated for wheelchair users throughout the event. Entrance is free and the show is promising to be spectacular. So get there by 1pm on 20th April 2010 to save disappointment and to see our models on the catwalk. Visit www.alternativearts.co.uk or call 0207375 0441 for more information. Contact Kathrin Kirrmann, communications officer on: Tel: 0207 701 2696 E-mail: kathrin@cooltanarts.org.uk www.cooltanarts.org.uk

Largactyl Shuffle at St george and the Borough Walk

CoolTan Arts is part of this year's St George Festival Fun Day in Southwark and we are leading a short Largactyl Shuffle walk from 3pm on St. George Day! (24th April) The Festival runs from 2pm on the 24th April and includes activites such as dance, art, music, food and gardening amongst others. Come and discover the meaning of St. Georges day to Southwark's diverse communities and have fun! More info at http://www.stgeorgefestival.org.uk/programme-2010/.

CoolTan Arts Silver Festival Stall

The Silver Festival is back for a forth year with an astonishing selection of arts activites. This includes: poetry, storytelling and reminiscence events, as well as author talks and writing sessions.

This year the festival will have a dinstinctly literal feel with CoolTan arts leading a short largactyl shuffle work exploring the sarroundings of Burgess Park from 3pm-4pm.

More information is available on http://www.southwark.gov.uk/news/article/15/silver_festival_2010.