About Us
Carshalton Artists community group started over 10 years ago, with seven artistic friends meeting in a local pub for a drink. These impromptu meetings grew with more and more local artists, gallery and craft shop owners attending.
Carshalton Artists is now a large network of 80+ local artists and businesses. We aim to celebrate and help local creatives by giving them the opportunity to network with other creatives and businesses. This includes 'arty drinks' meetings throughout the year, active Facebook, Instagram and Twitter groups, the annual Carshalton Artists Open Studios (CAOS) event in June and July and ad-hoc art fairs.
Meet the Team
The Carshalton Artists network has a huge amount of experience in creating diverse and supportive networks and events that link and help their communities. They live and work in Carshalton and are passionate about helping artists and organisations to fulfil their creative potentials.
Husband and wife team, Helena and Neal Vaughan founded the group, joining up with local artists John Stillman and Abel Kesteven and local businessman Stuart James to start the popular 'arty drinks' networking meetings. These informal meetings have grown to a 100 strong artists network and accompanying public Facebook Group of 500+ artists, businesses and followers This has now grown into the hugely successful Open Studios Event. CAOS with the Open Studios attracting 3000 visitors per year and near to 1000 followers, separately on Facebook and Instsgram.
In 2016 Open Studios event was started by Helena, Neal and Abel, with the first CAOS event running in 2017. The 2018 and 2019 saw significant growth, more artists, new locations and plenty of opportunities to reach out to the local community. The trio have been the driving force behind this now annual event with fellow co-ordinators and inspiration for the project who are listed below.
Helena & Neal Vaughan
Helena and Neal's local art collaborations go back to 2004, when they moved into the Carshalton and soon started exhibiting and running workshops at Honeywood Museum. In 2008 arty drinks started, growing local artists networks and introducing those artists to opportunities for working together with local businesses and on locally or nationally funded projects. Neal loves getting everyone involved so now focuses on community engagement whilst Helena keeps the artists in check by organising networking events and managing the CAOS trail.
Abel Kesteven
Abel has been a driving force behind Carshalton Artists right from the start. He then helped found the CAOS annual event and has been a major influence on its direction since.
Kate Marsden
The Open Studios event runs on expert marketing, both online and offline. Our social media guru in running this is Kate Marsden from Made by Mrs M and the #justacard campaign. Photo by Bethany Lavin.
Caroline Warwick
Open Studios event has Caroline to thank for engaging the local community. Caroline has always been happy to promote CAOS to the local community and is passionate about CAOS reaching as many as possible.
Adrienne Roberts
Adrienne has been a close advisor from CAOS's conception in 2016. Adrienne has built our profile and engagement, liaising with local schools and businesses on behalf of CAOS.
Ingrid Barber
Ingrid is an artist and a maker working from her studio Oaks Park, a popluar location on the CAOS trail. She's our main point of contact with the studios and always happy to help with our promotion.
Al Sherriff
Al is a knowledgeable IT consultant and his help with communications, planning and admin behind CAOS has been invaluable. He's kept us on task, sane and focused, he's a brave man!
Kathryn Sherriff
Kathryn has participated in most of the Open Studios events. Her expertise in marketing and knowledge of the local art scene has been extremely important to our success.
FAQ
Who are we, how are we governed?
We are a not for profit art group, running Carshalton Artists Open Studios. For more information you can read our terms & conditions, data & privacy policy, equality & diversity policy and governing document
I am an artist, how can I exhibit or join in?
Go to our ARTISTS page to find out more.
I am interested in sponsoring Carshalton Artists Open Studios, how can I?
Any sponsorship funding goes towards marketing and running the CAOS event. A list of options is available for sponsors, please email us: carshaltonartists@gmail.com
We are always interested in talking to you regarding events, commissions, workshops, exhibitions, or fairs that will benefit our artists...please contact us.
Follow us for latest updates
use @carshalton_art to find us.