08 Aug

August Chilli Studios News! Creatively supporting mental health

Welcome to the Chilli Studios August e-newsletter

We have some exciting news and opportunities coming up soon and we would love to share these with you. The studio is really feeling a lot like it used to now with it’s creative buzz and inviting community atmosphere.

Members can drop-in at anytime between 11am-4pm Monday-Thursday. The new programme is attached below. Or, If you would like to join, arrange a tour, visit or arrange a meeting please contact us at
info@chillistudios.co.uk 0191 2094058

 

In this newsletter:

  1. Kickstarter Campaign “Community Photographic Darkroom for mental health”
  2. Annual Exhibition @ Vane Gallery
  3. Chilli Shop & Market stalls
  4. Chilli Studio weekly programme (17 creative activities to get involved with!)
  5. Beach art day
  6. Support links

Also, our Studio safety guide is still in place with adjustments, please see the poster attached at the bottom of the email. It’s all about keeping our community safe, kind & creative by actively working together.

Studio landline: 0191  2094058
Mob: 07922 091083
info@chillistudios.co.uk
www.chillistudios.co.uk

#chillilove #kindnessmatters #mentalhealthmatters #creativityandwellbeing

PRESS HERE! Donate now & get rewards

Light Painters Studio Fundraiser with Kickstarter
Please help us build a Community Photographic Darkroom for mental health

A dedicated group of our volunteers from Chilli Studios are building a community and peer-led darkroom & processing studio with a mission to keep film alive, accessible and good for our mental health. As well as photography resources they plan to run workshops, talks, events, field trips and more.

Our motto is “A safe place to develop”, and this project aims to provide its users with exactly that: somewhere that will be a learning resource for all who attend sessions there, in an environment that will be accessible, inclusive and nurturing.

We hope to inspire everyone who comes to the darkroom, and we are excited at the prospect of sharing our skills and enthusiasm for this art form with the community. This will be a peer-led facility, member-based, with an emphasis on promoting well-being through the medium of film photography.

PLEASE DONATE & SHARE  There are some great rewards too that include totes & T-shirts, photographic books, workshops to Patron awards! Link above or here to our fundraising page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chillistudios/darkroom-0

You are warmly invited to our Preview on Wednesday 21st Sept 5-7pm.
Public Exhibition Dates:  22nd Sept-1st Oct
& Gallery opening times Wed-Sat 12-5pm
@Vane Gallery Orbis Community, 65 High Street, Gateshead, NE8 2AP 

Chilli Studios annual exhibition showcases a diverse collection of over fifty artists of all levels of profession and ability. It is a celebration of the immense creativity of our members and their valuable personal experiences through these testing times.

The title of our exhibition is a phrase everyone has heard and can bring up feelings of real frustration. It has an alternative meaning for our Chilli studio community now since one of our members, Les, uttered a great response “ Well do that then! It’s a starting point.” That particular starting point is showcased proudly in the entrance of our show, an expressive painted text piece by Ruth. There is always a way forwards.
Chilli Studios core values is to really promote creative freedom. To explore the power of creativity to empower individuals to challenge internal and external perceptions of mental health. Valuing everyone’s unique personal expression, inspiring people to take creative chances, build skills and celebrate achievements.

“Chilli makes you branch out and push your potential more than I ever would, it builds my confidence and everything up. Every bit of work people do in here is art (even the mess we all make).”
Marie, Chilli member 2022

Poster image artwork compiled by JMBurke featuring photography by Ernie Paxton and text by Ruth.

CHILLI SHOP Update

Our shop is going from strength to strength and developing in exciting avenues! We are an ethical and local business where all proceeds go directly into our Charitable activity and day-to-day running of the Art Studio.

We now have our products stocked in two shops including The Baltic Shop and Number One Kirkharle. The Chilli Studios website also has a shop webpage where people can purchase our products to support the studio as well as on Etsy. See buttons below.

We also ventured into the open air and market spaces and have taken part in multiple events in July including Made Up North Market, Ouseburn Festival and the Baltic Art Car Boot Fair.

Our products are handmade and/or designed by our members, volunteers & staff within the studio. We have multiple ranges within the shop including our ceramics range ‘East End Earthenware’. We have also thrilled to be starting to work with local artist and Chilli volunteer Almudena to help produce new products inspired by Chilli to raise money for the studio.

SHOP HERE! CHILLI WEBSITE shop

SHOP HERE! Chilli ETSY shop

Our August programme is extremely busy and we are proud to be holding 17 creative workshops & activities a week with a focus on supporting our members wellbeing. These take place mainly in our Studio space in Byker but also online, at Ouseburn allotment, Walker allotment, Magic Hat Cafe and at ReCoCo in the centre of the city.

For an accessible or large format copy of our programme or links to our online workshops please contact jo@chillistudios.co.uk

BEACH ART DAY! Pop it in your diary 🙂

Support Links

Remember, there is comfort in knowing that you are not alone, we will come together soon and be stronger still.

Chilli Love to all x