Art for social justice - let's create change!

Aim

Help to build a community of creativity, learning and positivity, using art to address social injustice.

SHELBY x Studios merges art and activism, providing a unique online platform to make social justice campaigning more accessible.

It offers sound advice to support us in navigating social injustice in this time of information overload. It guides us through tough times, helping us to keep our heads up!

A brand new, free, weekly newsletter will bring you the freshest content from the biggest names in art activism to undiscovered, underground artists. A dose of positivity delivered straight to your mailbox! Art, infographics and visual notes will help people connect with issues they care about and learn about new topics.

We will also be creating exclusive motivational merchandise for all you revolutionaries and rebels. So you can represent the issues you care about, whilst helping to fund them at the same time.

It doesn't stop at educational resources and merchandise, we're planning BIG THINGS like residential programmes, online 'how to' courses, a podcast and an international 'artivism' mural festival. Follow our journey.

SHELBY x Studios is a social enterprise, reinvesting all profits back into the project to commission more amazing 'artivists'. But we need your support to kick start it and make it a reality.

I am asking for your support to cover the initial set-up costs, as well as, the first series of merchandise. Your contribution makes it possible to launch this much needed platform for art for social justice.

Your donation will cover:

• Equipment & software
• Building the SHELBY x Studios website
• Creating the first series of limited edition merchandise

Accessibility

Many people find it hard to participate in typical activist settings due to disability, location, age, childcare responsibilities, unsocial working hours, or just not knowing where to start. SHELBY x Studios is all about making activism accessible. 

Community

The isolation we are going through as a result of COVID19 is an insight into the access barriers some people face everyday. Now more than ever, we need a community where we support one another and promote the rights of those marginalised in society. SHELBY x Studios will help build this community.

Positivity

Sometimes the world can seem like an overwhelming place. Extreme poverty, discrimination, systemic racism, environmental crisis, the list goes on. SHELBY x Studios will help us connect with other people fighting for social justice. Uplifting artwork and campaign success stories will reignite our faith that change is possible.

Education

It can be hard to sift through the millions of daily news updates and social media alerts. Art can offer new perspectives, make things relatable and turn complex information into easily digestible visuals. SHELBY x Studios will make space for conversations that encourage learning and growth. 

Authenticity

Walking in the footsteps of 'artivists' such as Emory Douglas, Sylvia Pankhurst and Frida Kahlo, this project will organise in communities, promote the rights of those facing oppression and allow us to participate in concrete ways. SHELBY x Studios will commission artists championing the rights of working class, disabled, LGBTQ+ people, and those raising awareness of anti-colonial, anti-racist and indigenous social movements.

SHELBY x Studios will not only support artists and activists, but anyone feeling disillusioned by injustice in the world. Join the movement!

SHELBY x Studios is rooted in creating a legacy for my dad, who I lost to cancer as a teenager. He was an inspiring community activist who fought police brutality, poor housing, and the hostile environment faced by refugees and migrants in Hackney, London. He took an educational and creative approach, bringing communities together to take collective action. The name for this project combines a family name from my dad’s side, Shelby, X which represents collaboration, and Studios, a space for creativity.

I understand the power of art to bring communities together, make information accessible, inspire change and above all spread positivity!

An activist before I could walk and a politically conscious artist in my own right, I have produced art for groups such as Justice for Grenfell, Women Against Rape, ACORN and Sisters Uncut.

Five years as the Creative Director of a youth arts organisation, saw me support creative entrepreneurs to make their ambitions a reality. I have run large-scale community arts programmes, painted murals across Europe and implemented exciting arts events. Last summer, I delivered an art x activism project for international artist and activist, Yoko Ono, working with over 35 artists.

The combination of my experience as an activist, an artist and a social entrepreneur, perfectly positions me to understand the needs and bring together other campaigners and creatives. I am passionate about bringing this project to life and creating lasting social impact!

Above all, you get to be one of the first people to contribute to an exciting new movement of creative campaigners, using art to make social change!

PLUS +++ exclusive access to juicy limited edition rewards (shown on the left or below if on a mobile) including:

Please note: designs may change very slightly to the above images.

             DONATE TODAY AND LET'S CREATE CHANGE!

This project successfully funded on 29th May 2020