Keep the Beehive Buzzing - UPDATE crowd funder goes live 21.09.22
Our Beehive crowd funding campaign goes live on Wednesday 21st September. Shop the rewards, pick up some original artwork and help to keep our community art club buzzing.
The Bee Hive would like to provide art excursions every six weeks to make exhibitions and museums accessible. We would like to incorporate studio visits with artists and we would like different artists to run workshops through out the year. Thank you for your support. Together we can make it happen!
The story of the Beehive
Our third arch here at Atelier Beside the Sea is a dedicated teaching space where we host courses from jewellery making to wire sculpture, cyanotype to basket weaving. It is also home to the Beehive Art Club - a community art group that supports those who have suffered from bereavement and isolation during the pandemic.
Beehive was established by Jon Tutton and Sarah Young when they opened Atelier Beside the Sea in the summer of 2021. It is run by Brighton-based artist Amy Douglas who works closely with local social prescribing networks, receiving new referrals every week.
“We run a weekly drop-in club where we focus on the process of art giving a sense of purpose,” Amy explains. “We are inclusive which means we have a wonderfully eclectic group of people who find their way to Beehive for a variety of reasons. The group is made up of, for example, widowers, people with autism, stroke victims, and often people who have been feeling extremely lonely. We have also worked with refugees as part of the Voices in Exile charity.
“Everyone learns from each other and is supportive of the different capabilities and needs in the group. It is a microcosm of an inclusive society. We are a small community group but our impact on people's lives has been extremely positive.”
It’s a chance for group members to explore their creativity and learn new skills while tackling social isolation. One regular member said "I like the opportunity to make art and make new friends. I find this is one of the few things in the week that can make me leave the house when feeling down and overwhelmed. The level of art tutorship is fantastic."
Beehive has been funded by Jon and Sarah, who have provided the space and covered staff costs. It has recently become a Community Interest Company and will soon be a self-supporting entity, while continuing to use the space rent-free. To that end, Beehive are raising funds to pay for a workshop facilitator, art materials and the occasional gallery trip as some in the group have never had the chance to visit one.
Beehive will soon launch a crowdfunding campaign, with lots of original artworks and rewards up for grabs to suit every budget - including an exclusive and limited edition of wearable art! If you’d like to know more about the group, or know someone who might benefit from attending, Amy is holding an open day on Thursday 22nd September from 11am to 4pm.
Come along and meet some of the Beehive members and see what they have been working on. Please contact Amy (amy@atelierbrighton.co.uk) and let her know you’ll be coming.
We’ll keep you posted when the crowdfunding link is live. We hope you’ll lend your support and keep the beehive buzzing!
