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

A Review - CoolTan Arts walk with Arthur Smith in celebration of World Mental Health Day 2011

On Saturday 15^th October, a beautiful bright autumn day, more than 90 CoolTan Arts participants, volunteers, supporters and patrons gathered outside Maudsely Hospital to begin a monumental sponsored walk. Our BIG Largactyl Shuffle was organised to celebrate ‘World Mental Health Day’ and explored the history of the NHS from “Cradle to Grave”.

The Deputy Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Althea Smith and Cllr Dora Dixon Fyle - Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, joined us alongside comedian and broadcaster Arthur Smith, to open proceedings. Highlights included a unique tree-planting ceremony on Camberwell Green. A Gingko tree was planted, a ‘living sculpture’, made possible with funding from the Cleaner Greener Safer initiative, awarded by Southwark Council. Michelle Baharier CEO of CoolTan Arts said: “CoolTan are very proud to have this unique commission on Camberwell Green, both as a legacy for our organisation and a reminder to keep mental health on the agenda”. During the tree planting ceremony, Cllr Dixon-Fyle said: “Keep CoolTan in the Frame, that’s exactly what we’re going to do”.

The walk was staged as a fundraiser against crippling cuts from the NHS. Well-wishers will be pleased to hear that staff, volunteers, participants and patrons have to date raised a total of £6225.00 in aid of the charity. CoolTan Arts is a mental health and arts charity offering a full creative programme, from visual arts and sculpture to film-making and pod-casting, as well as self-advocacy sessions. The day was a huge success with fun, poetry, history and creative talks along the way.

Amos Phillips, Chair of CoolTan Arts Trustees expressed his thoughts on the day’s success, “I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who was involved in CoolTan Art’s Sponsored Shuffle through, participating, fundraising and organising. The superb weather and unique camaraderie created by this year’s shuffle made the day thoroughly uplifting and enlightening. I would like to wholeheartedly welcome everyone back on next year’s walk!”

The event culminated in a film screening, refreshments and socialising at Tate Modern, including home-made cakes and an impromptu performance from participant Julius Xavier, with his new song, Personalisation Is For Us!

A huge thank you to all the lovely people who helped make this day so great.

You can still sponsor the walk ‘No Health without Mental Health’ by visiting: www.justgiving.com/cooltanarts You can find out more www.facebook.com/cooltanarts