What a way to start our second year! Last month, you helped us celebrate our first birthday in the most wonderful way, and we're still smiling about it.
From the creativity that filled our pop-up studio to the beautiful prints made in our cyanotype workshops, September was a month to remember. And we're not slowing down this month! We're inviting young artists to explore the natural world through plant drawing and bioacoustics, and we're opening our doors for family drop-in sessions over the half-term. We're also proudly unveiling our brand-new website, with a big thank you to the talented person who brought it to life, and sharing an exciting update on Buy Back Brixton.
Thank you for being part of our story. Here's to the next chapter! |
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Our First Birthday Celebrations |
| | | Empty frames, busy hands, and a whole lot of joy: that's how we'll remember our first birthday party! Thank you to every artist, family, and friend who came along to celebrate with us.
Our pop-up studio was buzzing all afternoon as young creatives brought their own ideas of CELEBRATION to life, then hung their artworks straight into the waiting frames. By the end of the day, those bare gallery walls had become a vibrant, interactive exhibition created entirely by you!
A special thank you goes to Brixton Village for kindly letting us use an extra unit for the occasion. Having our Space to Dream Studio, a dedicated space to create, made such a difference, and it's something we'd love to make permanent. We're keeping everything crossed for the funding to make that dream come true! |
| | | | | | Our (temporary) Space to Dream Studio, all set up for our CELEBRATION interactive exhibition. |
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| | | To celebrate World Cyanotype Day on Saturday the 26th of September, we went cyanotype crazy, with not one, not two, but three sun-printing sessions, courtesy of Ingrid Guyon from Fotosynthesis, and her assistant Sarah Sheldon (@sarahsheldoncreates).
Our young artists experimented with their compositions, arranging flowers, shapes and letters, before laying their creations out in the sunshine, or under UV lamps. Then came the best bit: crowding round to watch the magic happen as the blue deepened and their designs appeared before their eyes. A huge thank you to Ingrid and Sarah, as well as every young artist who brought their curiosity and a little bit of sunshine with them!
And if you haven't made it to one of our workshops yet, now's your chance! Our next one is taking us from sunlight to plant life, and it promises to be just as magical… |
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Free Workshop: Plant Drawing & Bioacoustics With Sarina Mantle - 27th of October |
| | | Ever wondered what plants sound like?
That's exactly what we'll be finding out this month, and we're thrilled to welcome the inspiring Sarina Mantle of Studio Wild Suga to guide us! She'll be leading two very special drawing workshops that invite young creatives to slow down, look closely, and tune into the hidden sounds of plants.
With the help of some clever technology, children will listen in on the secret life of plants, then experiment with turning what they see and hear into drawings. Through playful exercises, close observation and magnification, they'll uncover tiny details, patterns and textures, and discover how sound can inspire all kinds of lines, rhythms and marks. |
| | | These sessions are open to young creatives aged 5 to 16, and will take place on Tuesday the 27th of October across two timeslots: - Session 1: 10.30 to 12.00
- Session 2: 13.00 to 14.30
Spaces are FREE, but limited to 8 per session, so be quick to secure a spot for your young artist. Click the button below to email us and register your interest. |
| | | | | | | | | Sarina Mantle is an interdisciplinary artist, sound artist, facilitator and author of the internationally published colouring book Women + Patterns + Plants. With over 17 years' experience creating participatory projects in London and beyond, she uses drawing, experimental sound and plant bio-rhythms to create playful, accessible experiences that help us look, listen and connect more deeply with the living world.
To discover more of her inspiring work, visit her website: Wild Suga |
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Family Drop-In Sessions - 28th and 29th of October |
| | | Can't make the workshop, but still want to get creative this half-term? Don't worry, we've got you covered!
Come and join us for one, or even both, of our family drop-in sessions on Wednesday the 28th and Thursday the 29th of October, between 14.00 and 16.00. There's no need to book, so just pop in with your young artists and get stuck in! |
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| | | If you know someone who might want to get involved with our classes or events, please feel free to pass this newsletter along. And if you've stumbled across this but aren't yet on our mailing list, we'd love to have you on board! Click the button below to join our community. |
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Our Website Has Had A Glow-Up! |
| | | Drumroll, please... our brand-new website is officially live! And it's all thanks to the brilliant Marie de Champchesnel, who generously volunteered her time and skills to give it a complete makeover.
Marie first discovered us on Instagram shortly after we opened last year, and when we put out a call for help with our website, she kindly came forward. After studying Art History and spending over 20 years in the art world, Marie is now a career and mindset coach, helping women find their own unique path by following their curiosity. And as a mum to a curious seven-year-old, she believes, just like us, that creativity is about so much more than painting or drawing.
In her own words: "It is about being curious, exploring possibilities, thinking differently and finding our own solutions. As we grow up, we can gradually be taught out of that natural curiosity and creativity. I believe we need spaces and people that help us reconnect with those parts of ourselves, not only as children, but throughout our lives."
Marie, we can't thank you enough! If you'd like to learn more about Marie and her coaching work, head over to her website: mccoaching.co.uk |
| | | | | | Marie de Champchesnel, the creative mind behind our new website. |
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| | | Ready to take a look? Click the button below to explore our new website, and find all our latest exhibitions, classes and workshops in one place. |
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Buy Back Brixton: A Huge Step Forward! |
| | | Back in July, we told you about the campaign to bring Brixton Village and Market Row into community ownership. Well, Brixton has done it again! The Buy Back Brixton bid has been named preferred buyer, beating major commercial bidders!
If the sale goes through, it will be the largest asset ever brought into community ownership in the UK. Of course, a moment like this called for a celebration. So, on the 16th of September, the community gathered on Brixton Station Road for an evening of music, food and speeches, and we were there too! We set up an activity table where people could make flags to show their support. It was a busy, buzzing evening, and we are so proud to have been part of this moment in Brixton's history.
There's still work to do, though. The campaign is now completing the legal checks and contracts, before raising the remaining funds needed to finalise the purchase. You can follow the campaign and find out how you can help by visiting their website: buybackbrixton.org |
| | | | | | Making flags and celebrating Buy Back Brixton being named preferred buyer, 16th of September 2026. |
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| | | As a Community Interest Company (CIC), we rely on a blend of funding and the kindness of our community to keep our doors open. By clicking the button below, you can help us keep our sessions free or affordable, ensuring that young artists from all walks of life have a vibrant space to hone and showcase their talents.
Thank YOU! |
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| | | | | | © October 2nd, 2026, Space to Dream Gallery. All Rights Reserved.
Unit 33, Third Avenue, Granville Arcade, Coldharbour Lane, London, SW9 8PR |
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