Kindred Studios are a not-for-profit artist studio who have recently relocated to a beautiful Victorian school-house in Queens Park. Alongside providing support for local creatives, an important part of Kindred’s mission is the creation of opportunities for the local community to engage in high-quality arts and environmental programs. Initially working with five local schools and community-groups, all of whom will benefit greatly from ongoing access to these programs, we will transform the school-yard into an outdoor learning space. The space will be made available to the public holidays and weekends through a program of free family workshops. The learning space will be built in collaboration with our partners. Throughout June a number of artists from Kindred will be running workshops in: weave, knit, woodworking and mosaics; all utilizing recycled materials, to create beautiful high-quality: furniture, shelters and planters, surrounded by herbs and vegetable beds.

What we'll deliver:

• Work with 60 pupils from Essendine Primary to create 60 beautiful hanging-planters from recycled materials
• Work with Pursuing Independent Paths and Queens Park Nursery to plant 10 vegetable beds
• Work with 20 pupils from the SEND school at Westminster College to build seating from 60 recycled pallets.
• Build a wheel-chair ramp
• Equip the outdoor learning-space for weave, knit, mosaic, woodworking and painting workshops.
• Deliver 16 family Arts and Environment workshops over summer 2018.
• Work with our community partners to develop ongoing programs to launch in September, sourcing grant funding.

Why it's a great idea:

Our initial community partners are: Queens Park Community Nursery, Essendine Primary School, St Pauls Primary School, Pursuing Independent Paths (a charity who support adults with learning disabilities) and the SEND school at Westminster College. “We’re looking forward to working closely with Kindred Studios; the arts and environmental workshops Kindred are developing will provide our students with invaluable skills and the opportunity to learn from professional artists.” Lisa Mafrica, Deputy Head Teacher at Essendine Primary School “The development that Kindred Studios is planning will offer the people we work with a unique opportunity to access high quality arts and environmental programmes delivered by expert facilitators. We are lucky to have this amazing resource developing on our doorstep which will help our students express themselves in new ways and engage further with their community”. Rick Jensen, Service Manager at Pursuing Independent Paths (PiP)

Steps to get it done:

• The creation of 80 hand-made planters, using weave, knit and mosaic, with Essendine Primary School
• The creation of an outdoor seating area from reclaimed pallets, with the SEND school at Westminster College
• Planting 10 large vegetable beds, with 'Pursuing Independent Paths' and Queens Park Nursery
• Decorating the outdoor seating area and creating banners with St Peters Primary School
• Delivering 16 family workshops over the summer of 2018
• Developing an ongoing Art and Environment program for local schools

Following the creation of the learning-space we will raise funds through grants and trusts to enable us to deliver ongoing, free, community arts & environment programs. If you are part of a local school or community group and would like to get involved in future programs please contact our Head of Community Engagement on louise@kindredstudios.co.uk Our thanks to Nu-Line Builders merchants for dropping-off 60 pallets.