Black-led and owned visual arts organisation, 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning (198CAL), provides high quality support for Lambeth residents wanting to develop artistically and find careers in the creative industries. Their newly refurbished community hub offers exhibition space, galleries, archives and creative workspaces along with opportunities for learning new skills and finding employment. Helen Hayes MP for Dulwich and West Norwood visited 198 recently to meet learners from Lambeth Adult Learning and hear how they were developing their practice and careers, as well as how art supported their resilience and wellbeing during Covid-19. She said on Twitter, “Wonderful new galleries, community & education space & workspace. Such a precious arts institution in our community.”
Celebrating and supporting Womxn of Colour
MP Helen Hayes visits 198 Contemporary Arts
Ms Hayes also visited an exhibition celebrating the Womxn of Colour Art Award which provides financial and practical support to help artists develop and further their careers. Director of 198CAL Lucy Davies says, “We are invested in supporting the creative development of Womxn of Colour in Lambeth through initiatives like the Award and by ensuring that our learning programmes such as ‘Step Up’ are accessible for anyone starting out on a journey of artistic discovery.”
Last year’s winner, London resident Maybelle Peters, returned to making art after leaving her job of 15 years and says: “The Award really helped validate my idea and then gave me the support and space I needed to realise it.”
Maybelle remembers visiting 198CAL as a teenager and is inspired to see they are still supporting emerging artists of all ages. She says, “I can’t tell you the impact it had on me. It confirmed that there were black artists making work and getting exhibited. For the first time I saw work that speaks of our history and heritage on a wall in a gallery. Exhibiting and learning something new is so important. Whatever your ideas are about art and galleries, it’s worth trying. It’s nothing but positive.”
More information
- Submit your work for the Womxn of Colour Award before the end of March 2022.
‘the morning has gold in its mouth’ award winner by Maybelle Peters
- See the online Womxn of Colour Art Award 2020-2021 Exhibition: Altitude – 198 Contemporary Arts & Learning
- 198CAL offers learning programmes for Lambeth residents including STEP UP courses in Photography, Video and Art & Design, along with Good Work for All employability courses for anyone interested in finding work in the creative industries. Find out more on 07440 496483 or Thefactoryproductionhouse@photofusion.org
