Worthing’s creative hub Colonnade House continues to go from strength to strength as artists use the hub as a platform to put the town and their creations on the map. As the Worthing Borough Council owned venue enters its third year, the studios are full to the brim with innovative creative businesses that have made the building their home. From illustrated children’s books to events exploring mental health, public art to community festivals for dads, the tenants working out of the building are making a splash locally, nationally and internationally.
Among them is illustrator John Bond whose first children’s book ‘Mini Rabbit Not Lost’ has just been shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2019. John has also been invited to speak at the prestigious international Pictoplasma Conference in Berlin this May, one of a handful of people representing the UK.
Among the other tenants are independent producer Ruth Dudman, who this April is launching Motherworks, a major new national programme of events exploring mental health and society’s relationship with motherhood. It will include artist residencies and community outreach across London and Cambridge, with the aim of supporting those that suffer with their experiences.
Others who use the creative hub as a base include:
- Dan Flanagan who is launching the UK’s first festival of fatherhood ‘Dad La Soul Fest’, which will bring 450 dads, granddads and male carers together
- Daniel Good (creator of CBeebies’ Waybuloo) and James Fox (creator of Cartoon Network’s Skatoony) who have created a new kid’s entertainment development and production studio called One Good Fox
- Digital content specialist Adam Hender who has launched Daydream.fm, an audio based learning programme for improving employee mental health and wellbeing
- Printmaker Peon Boyle who is leading workshops at REclaim community festival
- Illustrator Sarah Edmonds who is part of the team creating public art for the redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton to help patients navigate their way through the building
Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said:
“It’s fantastic to see that the creative talent at Colonnade House is flourishing, with the work having a positive impact not just in our community but across the globe too.
“This was exactly why we worked with the Adur & Worthing Trust and others in the community to open this hub three years ago.
“I wish all the tenants the very best of success for the rest of 2019 and look forward to seeing many more artists use this versatile space to grow and develop ideas in the coming years.”