Visit from First Minister
Creative role at The Old Chapel Cafe
Developing vision, creating branding, managing activities, running project for locals to join in with, partnering with local organisations, encouraging new ideas through an Ideas Clinic, setting up an art trail, recording an album of songs, running open mic, Joke chair to add jokes too, making signage…
- Songs (Including some recording)
- Songwriting sessions
- Poems
- Interactive art to join in with
- Art trail (see below)
- Signage
- Branding
- Social media content
- Website development/management
- Vision & mission development
- Cafe Jackpot (celebrating people making a difference doing what they loved)
Community art trail
Part of my time at The Old Chapel Cafe was developing an art trail around the space (see below), filled with some pieces visitors could add to, giving them a voice, helping the project understand what local people felt and thought.
Spaces
The Old Chapel Cafe Art trail.
An expression of the ideas behind the Cafe and activity space.
Welcome
What difference would a space make that welcomed people in to chill out, gave opportunities to join in and support to start something new?
Vinyl graphic on wall.
2020 Richard Coan. Created in conjunction with faces drawn by members the community
Photo ©2022 Alfie Coan
Who can gather?
Where are the places where all are welcome, all can gather irrespective of race, gender or orientation?
Wooden tray and painted figures. Richard Coan 2022
Tray donated by Pam, figures painted and attached by Darren.
Cafe space
We’re currently working on sourcing different age and ability characters too. Do get in touch if you can help!
Target
Is the human race is underachieving, where do we start, what do we need to feel, what are we aiming to achieve?
Only accessible when #bigspace is open. (Ask at counter)
Statement
Is it possible to leave the language of politics and religion behind and create a neutral conversation based on mutual respect and acceptance?
Do we need language to express our views or do our inclusive and respectful actions tell a better story?
Paper printed image / 2020 Richard Coan.
Cafe space
Becoming
Sometimes we become fragmented and begin to disapear. Does putting ourselves in a different place, or re-engaging with what we used to love, help us to see ourselves more clearly or feel more whole?
Stand in front of the mirror and see if where you stand makes a difference.
Glass mirror tiles on board / 2019 Richard Coan
Cafe space
That way, this way
Can we all be ourselves and go in our own direction but still be moving forward in positive direction as a society? What spaces allow people to experiment to find their direction in a safe way?
Acrylic pens on card / Richard Coan 2022
Photo ©2022 Alfie Coan
A word in your ear
Given that it’s good for the person, those around them, and the planet what should we be saying to each other?
Wooden construction. Richard Coan, created in conjunction with Woodwork for Wellness 2019.
Photo ©2022 Alfie Coan
Wall of values
What’s important to you is important to us. Grab a card tile from the table tops, write or draw what you value, hand it in at the cafe and we’ll add it to our creation!
Grab a card tile and write or draw what’s important to you, hand it it at the counter.
Paper and card in wooden frame. Richard Coan 2020, created in conjunction with members the community. / 2020 ongoing.
Cafe space
Photo ©2022 Alfie Coan
The Bridge of hope
When are we lost with the flow, when do we cross over and discover a new direction and is there some hope to be found? Formed part of the Bridge of Hope exhibition
Felt on canvas
Created by Richard and Martin with members of the community. 2022
Only accessible when #bigspace is open. (Ask at counter)
Build something beautiful
What if we all brought our own ideas of what was beautiful and allowed them all to be together for a while?
Grab a butterfly from the tray, colour it in and hand it in at the counter.
Paper stencils on board. Richard Coan, created in conjunction members the community. / 2020 ongoing.
Cafe space
Lost in a big world
How do we start in supporting someone who’s lost in the big wide world? Just say ‘hello’?
Come and volunteer and encourage someone today.
Plastic figures in various locations.
Richard Coan 2021
Make a noise
It takes courage to express yourself, everyone who does can put their name on the guitar.
Ask in the cafe, They will get the guitar for you to have a little strum.
Join us at the sing along, music making, easy chords or the open mic sessions, check out what’s on
Only accessible when #bigspace is open. (Ask at counter)
Photo ©2022 Alfie Coan
Made a difference spiral
We celebrate the positive differences everyone makes no matter how big or small their ideas are. There’s an enormous value to the person giving, if they feel they’re able to contribute by offering what they can. Plus, it’s can be the smallest gestures that really move people.
Nominate someone to me added to the spiral by filling out the form in the join in box and handing it in at the cafe.
Acrylic pens and paint on board / 2021 Richard Coan
Created in conjunction with members the community
Cafe space
Cafe Jackpot
If you’re caught ‘making a difference doing what you love’ then we celebrate! Singing, drawing, painting, serving, listening, helping, anything!
Grab the sign, take a pic of yourself, or someone (with their permission) and post it to the world! #cafejackpot
Acrylic pens and paint on card / 2021 Richard Coan
Only accessible when #bigspace is open. (Ask at counter)
Mantra
What mantra should we exist by?
‘If it’s good for you, the people around you and the planet, then we say yes’!
Or is that ‘If it’s good for the planet, good for…
Acrylic pens and paint on card / 2022 Richard Coan
Only accessible when #bigspace is open. (Ask at counter)