**11th February 11-6pm, 12th February and 13th February 10-8pm:

Reasonability is very pleased to have met with Michelle Baharier; the project director of Cooltan Arts. From its original beginnings as a community enterprise born from grass roots efforts this project is a leading example addressing social exclusion issues relating to Mental Health.

There is a tremendous will to work here and to make the enterprise work too. Please take the time to learn a little about this valuable resource, and its creative history, in the heart of London.

One of their most important initiatives is the website 'AFunnyFarm'. It aims to give a grassroots voice to those using or involved with mental health services by providing each other with support, advice and sharing experiences. It will also be a creative place, where people can put drawings, paintings, photographs,creative writing, music and spoken word poetry.

In the earliest days Cooltan took its name from a disued warehouse where club nights were hosted. You can find a rough guide to these roots here;

And this is where Cooltan are now, in Walworth Road, London. This is an image Cooltan use in their directions and does not do justice to the creative space they have. Particularly as it can not be seen in the shot here.

From the Cooltan website;

"Cooltan is a non-profit community arts organisation, providing a user-led resource for people with mental distress. Both artists and non-artists work and contribute to our inclusive environment. Cooltan Arts has evolved significantly during the last few years. The organisation was founded originally in 1990 by a group of artists who squatted in a suntan factory which gave Cooltan Arts its name. We moved to the old Dole house in Brixton which was similarly squatted before settling at the railway arch at Loughborough Junction in 2002, our first rented premises. We soon out grew our capacity at Loughborough Junction and had to find a new home to cope with our ever increasing numbers. Cooltan's legacy is one that has been made possible by a long history of working with volunteers. We are run with the help of a range of volunteers, who take on a variety of duties which include: reception for the gallery, cleaning, IT, administrative support, building work, facilities and maintenance, running classes and gallery promotion. "

The mission being;

" to inspire the well-being and creative participation of a diverse range of people through the production of quality digital and visual arts. "

Very interesting negotiations are in operation to further facilitate the mission and consolodate partnership support with outside agents. We think you will agree that this is an excellent example of harm reduction.