The Big Draw - Set Of Drawers 'Find Your Happy Place'

October is Big Draw month and as part of Design Event 2011, local illustration group Set Of Drawers will be transforming Mushroom Works into a giant canvas! You’re all welcome to come down and help us create a happy, giant, communal doodle!

On Saturday 15^th October between 4pm-6pm, children can do something they’re not allowed to at home and scribble all over the walls! They can sit down to admire their handiwork afterwards with cake and squash.

Between 6pm-8pm, it’s the grownups turn to bring out their sharpies. If you’re shy, maybe a free drink will help lubricate the process!

The Big Draw is always fun and Set of Drawers and Mushroom Works are delighted to host this evening - we’re looking forward to seeing the variety of work and your passion for drawing! No booking needed, just come down and join us on the day.

http://www.setofdrawers.co.uk/

http://www.thebigdraw.org/bigdraw/

London Design Festival 2011 - Designed And Made

First staged in 2003, the London Design Festival is one of the world’s most important annual design events. The nine-day Festival program is made up of over 280 events and exhibitions staged by 200 partner organisations across the design spectrum and from around the world and…

… three talented Mushroom Works residents are currently exhibiting at TENT London on the Designed and Made stand h09/h15!

TENT takes place between September 22 and 25, and is one of the largest design trade shows taking place during the London Design Festival each September.

Now in its fifth year at the Old Truman Brewery, TENT presents over 200 international exhibitors, showing the very latest in contemporary interior products - furniture, lighting, ceramics, textiles, materials and accessories.

Furniture designer/maker Michael Armstrong, sculptor Sarah Blood and product designer Bettina Nissen are all showing new work.

Sarah is showing an amazing new wall-based piece influenced by old sailor tattoos. Michael is showing some beautiful handmade furniture and Bettina is launching three fun new designs. If you’re in the area, check it out! If you aren’t, keep an eye on their respective websites for further details.

www.afiddesign.co.uk

www.sarahblood.com

www.bettinanissen.com

www.tentlondon.co.u

www.londondesignfestival.com

Get 'em whilst they're hot! New one-day life drawing workshops!

The Mushroom Works likes getting people together, learning and sharing skills so we often run an evening class or two for you to come and learn something new, develop your talents or just have fun.

Our life drawing classes are always popular but we know not everyone can come along on weekdays or sign up for 6 whole classes at a time, so we waved our magic wand and we've organised two, 3 hour workshops to be held on Saturdays in September and October.

If you like a more structured class and want a bit of guidance from a tutor, come along to our tutored session on 24th September. If you're confident coming along and drawing the model under your own steam in your own way, come to our untutored session on the 22nd October. If you just really like life drawing, come to both!

For info or to book a place, see www.mushroomworks.com or call us on 0191 2244011.

This Friday from 6 - 8pm our friend, and first-rate textile artist, Cassandra Harrison’s exhibition; 'The connecting thread' opens it's doors for the first time on a world tour. The exhibition showcases her two year journey of discover to uncover the story behind her ancestor's movements.

The legacy of her family is rather exciting; she has stumbled across some notes and photos left behind by her late grandfather (a former FBI agent), which formed the inspiration for the exhibition.

This exhibition is about realizing how decisions made hundreds of years ago effect who you are, how you are and where you are today and promises to be truly extraordinary. As you can see from her work, this is a show not to be missed!

Kingsland Church Studios

2011 is the year for expansion at Mushroom Works. We have lots planned and in the pipeline for this year, mostly involving opening new studio spaces to satiate the need for affordable studios by the numerous creative people in the North East.

First up, we will be opening 9 studios in Kingsland Church in the heart of the Byker Wall. This 'jewel in the wall' has been beautifully refurbished and is now ready to be filled full of creative people.

If you are interested in a space in Kingsland Church Studios, or to find out more please contact us