Image: Arjun Kharpul
A former newsagent has opened an art centre, which she hopes will “remove barriers” between people in the Caledonian area.
Vijya Patel, 57, opened Art U Make on Caledonian Road in 2011 but has been juggling it with her job in community training. Now Mrs Patel’s contract is about to expire, she wants to focus her efforts on transforming the arts business into a “community enterprise”.
It will be run by local residents with all the profits used to fund community projects and initiatives.
Artists can rent an affordable space in Art U Make to sell their own work and Mrs Patel will charge a commission on the products sold.
Mrs Patel’s daughter is an artist and is the main source of inspiration for the business.
“She understands what I am trying to do. That’s why we hung up her paintings first and the proceeds went into developing the project. Artists have a hard time selling their work so it is a way to promote local talent,” said Mrs Patel.
She added: “I am also interested in making people aware of different cultures. There is a lack of community cohesion and I would like to remove the barriers that exist between people.”
Mrs Patel has been a key member of the community in the Caledonian area of Islington. She headed a traders’ association fighting plans to build the Channel Tunnel rail link near the newsagents she had owned for 25 years.
Art U Make will be her latest contribution to the life of the area.
“The long term goal is for it to be a community enterprise. It will not necessarily be me running the shop but the community.”
Islington artist Andrea MacKinnon, 23, is selling her work in the shop. She said: “It’s a great idea and a good opportunity. The stalls are very affordable and the owner is very creative and open-minded.”
