F.A.T. Studio is a creative studio / Community Interest Company based in a ex-retail space on Old Kent Road, South East London. It's run by 6 friends who have different creative practices but a shared enthusiasm for community life and DIY culture.





Covid–19

HORRID Covid! Zine

During C19 lockdown, F.A.T. co-director Rachel worked with curator Jessie Krish and events co-ordinator Mel Davies on an online zine called HORRID Covid! The zine was dedicated to the cultural side effects of coronavirus and gathered together contributions from people of all ages and situations, as well as artists, writers and researchers. The idea was to create a collective record of the world-shaking event that is Covid-19.

← Click to read the zine
Network

Creativity & Inclusion Network

F.A.T. co-director Natanya is the London Development Officer at Voluntary Arts and runs Creativity and Inclusion 'a peer-support network that invites London based artists, freelancers, facilitators and space managers to drop into regular online meetings and support each other in making their practices more inclusive.'

Click to email Natanya about joining the next session.



Covid–19

Social story: returning to school

Schools continue to open and close due to Covid-19 and children with special educational needs (SEN) may need extra support during these transitionary times. F.A.T. co-director Rachel S. worked with educational psychologist Dr Hannah Fleming to create a social story that can be read together with children with SEN.

Free downloads:

Digital pdf version
Printable a5 booklet version
Southwark

Southwark climate crisis
workshop booklets

These 6 workshop booklets were commissioned by Southwark Council as part of a bigger project which aimed to engage young people in conversations around the climate crisis and the impact it's having in our borough.

The booklets cover the topics of extreme temperatures, food shortages, flooding, air pollution, conflict & migration and sustainability. They are highly illustrative and are designed to present facts from Southwark's Annual Public Health Report, provide inspiration for action and stimulate open conversation.

All 6 booklets are available to download and come with a suggested workshop plan and supporting documents for teachers.

Free downloads via the Southwark Council Website.

← You can also watch the animation here
Southwark

F.A.T. Studio – Peckham

In November 2019 we ran a month long programme of events at AMP Gallery in Peckham. We supported 30 emerging creatives to run participatory activities that opened up a part of their practice and shared it with a local audience. Over the course of the month we welcomed over 500 people of all ages and backgrounds into the space. We made many things and many friends :)
Covid–19 / Southwark

Southwark Rooms

Southwark Rooms was an online art project for Southwark residents who stayed at home during Covid-19. The project invited residents of all ages to reflect on the rooms they'd been living in throughout this remarkable time and make a personal artwork about their space. Local artists guided the project online and supported residents in their making. All artwork that got made was then exhibited side by side in a virtual gallery for the wider community to see and enjoy.

← Click here to visit the gallery
Covid-19

Let's 'Ear It

Let's 'Ear It is a creative research project that involves travelling around London with a giant ear strapped to our back. The aim is to listen to many people and invite them to share stories about how Covid-19 has effected their lives and their neighbourhoods. All those stories will (with permission) be added to an online exhibition and offline poster series.

The exhibition is designed to act as a type of formative research for a wider study coordinated by the London Schools of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The aim of the study is to deepen understanding about how London's neighbourhood environments can affect health and wellbeing. We hope that the project and related study will influence positive environmental change for Londoners across the city.

← Click to see the latest exhibition
Gif by the one and only Tommy Brentnall
We run the...
The Old Kent Road (OKR) Arts Club is a space for people living and working on Old Kent Road to get together, share skills and enjoy community life.

Contact
Old Kent Road Arts Club

Going Public, Workshop,
Evelina Hägglund, 2021

Going Public was a public sculpture workshop for young people based on Old Kent Road. Led by recent Goldsmiths MFA graduate Evelina Hägglund, the participating group first went on a walk around the area, exploring some of their favourite places and imagining public sculptures that could be made in response. Then the group came to the studio and worked with clay to make small models of their public sculptures. The models were then carried back out to the locations and photographed. The public sculptures then went on to live at the participants' homes, but can also be viewed by the public on Google Maps.

Going Public was part of a programme of workshops led by MFA students from Goldsmiths University at OKR Arts Club. The programme was initiated and co-organised by Goldsmiths MFA Curating student Ankita Mukherji.

← Click on the symbols to view the public sculptures at their locations on Google Maps.
Corner Bricks by Rachel
Abandoned Car by Keeley
The Doll by Jake
The Cool Pool by Elly
Chains by Ankita
The Hug by Mystic
Untitled by Iona
Girl Looking Up by Hyde
Instagram






To celebrate 1 whole year of
Old Kent Road Arts Club,
we've made a




BOOK



BUY IT!



with our bare hands! It's stacked with treats:




All profits from book sales go into keeping
the club running and free for all to attend!




For £20!




Thanks to everyone who came to CONGEE!




Thanks to everyone who took part in The Hat Makers!
Full report coming soon.

Old Kent Road Arts Club Residency Spring 2023

We’re excited to open the application process for the Spring 2023
OKR Arts Club residency!

Got an idea for a creative project that involves the public and responds to life on Old Kent Road?
This could be the opportunity for you!

Residency Offer

5 weeks of studio access at the Old Kent Road Arts Club.
£450 materials budget.
£450 guest/mentor/training budget.
2 days (14hrs) of F.A.T. Studio support.
A chance to exhibit your project at the end of the residency.

Who can apply?

All ideas and all people are welcome.
We particularly encourage people who feel underrepresented in art & design spaces to apply.
Individuals or groups can apply.
Your project idea must involve the public in some way.*
Your project must be relevant to Old Kent Road in some way.*

*See application form for further details on these points.

How to apply

Click here to go to the online application form.
If writing isn't your thing, send us a video that includes answers to the questions in the form.
For any help with applications or access needs, please contact fat.studio.cic@gmail.com

Key Dates

Applications open: Wednesday 11th January 2023
Application deadline: Tuesday 7th February 2023 (midnight)
Selection made on: Friday 10th February 2023
Planning time: 10th February – 3rd March 2023
Residency: 3rd March – 31st March 2023


We look forward to reading your applications!

OKR Arts Club Residency Programme is supported by


Thanks to everyone who came to the Festive Market!