Changes to the BLP Art Collective

It's been a while since the last update as there have been some pretty important changes taking place. The supporting artists who helped to set up the Collective and ran it on a voluntary basis have limited time due to new personal commitments, so it has been arranged that from the start of April the BLP Art Collective will be managed by Green Prospects social enterprise.

Green Prospects have lots of experience arranging community events and their staff have been facilitating BLP art sessions since last year. There are some very exciting plans for new sessions, public art, and work with the animal centre over the coming months so watch this space! Weekday sessions are going to continue as normal; however the last Sunday drop-in will take place on the 10th of May and will not be held again until further notice.

Below is a selection of recent work produced by the Art Collective:

 Pygmy goat sign featuring artwork by Matt, Kamer, Keith and Ujala

 Javan Sparrow by Kamer

 Peacock by Ujala

 Rice paddies by Matt

 John, on completion of his mosaic with members of the youth service

Model steam engine by Liam

Merry Christmas!

...well we're almost there! Here is a quick update on the last few months. The Art Collective had planned to hold another pop-up shop in Shepherd's Bush this month but unfortunately things fell through at the last minute due to reasons that were out of our control. We have made the most of the time and continued to work on some long running projects...

Our spooky medieval village started as a Halloween project last year but because of a demand for signs we had to put it on hold. The artists have kept adding to the buildings and they are at various stages of completion - in the picture is a windmill (with working sails!) by Vince, a food stand and station house by Liam, a riverside cottage by Ujala and a church and various houses that Matt worked on with Michael's assistance.

 Keith continues to create designs for animal centre signs. Here is one of his Hornbills - he has created a series of 4 paintings of these birds which will be used in the final sign.

 Gemma has been painting pictures of fish which will be used in a collage of an underwater scene (we now have lots of them!).

 John continues to work on the latest mosaic. It can be very slow and time consuming work but he is getting very experienced at cutting tiles to make them fit the image.

Some of the artists! 

Hopefully 2015 will be as productive as 2014. There are local government cuts to grants for charities and council-run services coming over the next few months and tough times ahead, but as we are self-sustaining and have a clear benefit for both the council and attendees we should be able to weather the storm. Our priority for next year is to spread the word, get more commissions and more artists involved in the BLP Art Collective!

More animal centre signs!

If you visit the animal centre over the Autumn, be sure to check out our new signs! We are currently working on a Hornbill sign and images of some new animals who will be moving into the centre in the next couple of months.

 Red crested Cranes

 Leopard Tortoises

Red Crested Pochard Ducks

Here are some photos from the Porcupine opening with Stephen Fry. It was a fantastic day and we were able to show visitors our work and also took a few commissions too:

 

 Jude, John, Kathryn from Ealing Mencap, Berge, Vince and Lynda

Bo from the Animal Centre and Stephen Fry during the grand opening

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Last week we hosted the Challenge Network. A group of 12 young people visited the centre and spent the day helping out. The group was split into 3 groups - one group recycled and made canvasses, another group was supported by Sukhi to make a new mosaic and the third group created backgrounds for new signs. It was great fun and the volunteers were incredibly helpful.

 Vince and Eric with one of the Challenge Network volunteers

 Sukhi's mosaic group

August update

Last month we designed the banners for the new Porcupine and Meerkat enclosure at Brent Lodge Animal Centre. The enclosures were opened by Stephen Fry and a report on the event is here:

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/stephen-fry-welcomes-ealings-new-7677424

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In September, 3 of our artists will have their work showcased by Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre. Look out for these signs at the side entrance to the building next month!

Busy June 2014!

The Art Collective have been working flat-out this Summer! Here are some of the things we have been up to:

 The peacock mosaic designed by Sukhi and made by a number of artists, including John, is now on display as an entrance sign opposite the budgie enclosure. The animal centre staff have done a great job framing it!

 We were in attendance at this year's really busy Hanwell Carnival. The sun shone (for a change!) and we made twice as much from sales as last year. Thanks to Vince (and friends), Eric, Keith, John, Sukhi and Jude for helping to staff the stall.

 The map of Brent Lodge Park is now complete and ready to be turned into an I-spy game for visitors to the animal centre.

We have been working with Ealing Mencap to run a 'pop-up-shop' at Ealing Broadway shopping centre for 6 weeks. The shopping centre has been very generous in letting us use an empty shop-front to fundraise and exhibit work in a temporary gallery.

BLP Art Collective wins grant!

The BLP Art Colletive has been awarded a grant of £150 from Hanwell Carnival! The money has been used to purchase more canvas, brushes, paint and balsa cement, with the main aim of completing an I-Spy map of the animal centre. More information about this can be found here: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/cash-charity-event-goes-back-7123444