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Have you passed by some colourful boxes behind the Elephant and Castle underground station recently? These boxes are units known that form The Artworks. These colourful units have been constructed from utilized and recycled shipping containers, arranged over three floors.
They are home to a blend of artists, creatives, producers, designers and retailers who are small and independent businesses. Teamed up together to form a community working in rented retail units, based at The Elephant and Castle, in South London.
Find out about activities at The Artworks:
Visit Azawala art gallery/museum
Azawala is a showcase of unique contemporary artwork, paintings and sculptures from Africa. The concept is based on African Inspired Art and their display of paintings and artefacts are a culmination of various artists from diverse backgrounds.
Take a tour around the gallery and be prepared for some inspiration! The displays are breathtaking!
Food and Drinks
There are a few dishes to choose, from restaurants that offer fresh and natural ingredients to prepare their food.
Try Tasty Jerk Takeaway. They make delicious Caribbean food and accept orders in advance. Their menu consists of Jerk chicken, fried fish, curried goat, oxtail, beef and vegetarian patties.
Pop in to the Long Wave bar and Café
which is home to local artists and performers and evening entertainment.
The Café opens at 8am and serves Coleman’s coffee to help start your day.
Meet with friend for an afternoon coffee.
The local retailers include fashion and technology and serve as an alternative to high street stores.
Spark Vitality Hub
Provides treatment rooms for Core strength Yoga, Pilates and baby massage classes.
Negative Space
A hub where Artists gather together to display and sell their work, get insights and connect as artists. The workshop encourages the use of Art to drag out the dormant creativity that lies within artists.
Carnival Del Pluebo
Is an initiative that shares an understanding of Latin American heritage.
Since The Artworks opened in September 2014, it has grown from strength to strength. It is an enrichment to the local community and there are various events in the pipe line. Don’t miss out!
What a unique idea! And it seems like this would make such a fun day with so many offerings!
The Artworks is still in it’s early stages, but growing with lots of offers!
Hi Bola, what fun you must have, exploring London and finding all these neat places. I don’t like shopping at the well-known stores – much prefer little out of the way places, used bookstores and thrift stores. So I would have a marvelous time checking out the art galleries, museums and trying unfamiliar foods. Sounds like so much fun.
It’s one of those hidden gems that’s not known to everyone. It’s amazing what we discover in our journeys!
I love anything having to do with art in the community. The use of re-cycled shipping containers in the way is brilliant!
The use of re-cycled shipping containers is beneficial to the environment As well.