Colours of Art School ; on the importance of Gathering

It was in the cosy book/record store and radio station called Kindred, that Colours of Art Schools launched the 3rd issue of their cozy zine, around the theme of ‘Gathering’. A wonderful launch, opened to all, and which aimed to celebrate unity, as well as the contributor’s works. 

COAS Zine,(left to right: Izzy Gotobed, Katie Gabra, Harriet Vickers, Chantal X.W. & Marla-Sunshine Popkin-Jones), photograph by Rae Farrow

Also known as COAS, Colours of Art School is an artist collective which aims to create a space, provide resources and a community for artists of color. It all started in 2020, during the COVID pandemic, when the founder, Gwyneth Tambe-Green, connected with a group of artists she knew, to propose an idea; creating a third space for members. It all stemmed from the difficulty of finding community and support through traditional art institutions, as well as other challenges, such as constantly having to always explain and overexplain their work throughout their studies and careers. 

At its beginnings, it was simply a safe space where the artists could talk about their practices and art making, but with time, it evolved into something more; zines, exhibitions, workshops and studio visits with art students. 

‘It’s not an art collective in the traditional sense’, explains Izzy Gotobed and Katie Gabra ‘it has evolved with us. Some of us are not practicing artists; we have writers, facilitators etc.’

Here They Gather, 2025 by Marla-Sunshine Kellard-Jones

Wanting something more physical, they started launching publications, called ‘COZY’, a few years ago. One of them was ‘Situationship’, which was born from conversations starters at one of COAS’s summer exhibitions, and which led them to expand their questionings beyond their individual self and other artists. The Zine explores the position of young artists of colour within institutional spaces and the experience of British ‘otherness’. Their next publication followed, called ‘Gathering’. Inspired by Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering, it is rooted in the question of how, why and what it means to come together in today’s world.

Izzy Gotobed explains that ‘it’s about how to create meaningful gatherings, where you come out of it having learned something, or met some people. Building an actual genuine community’

So they reached out to artists and facilitators; the Zine Features contributions spanning collectives, artists, musicians and writers: A Particular Reality, Antonia Adomako, Abi Asisa, Adeel Ashraf, Cato, Grace Davey, David Gabra, Katie Gabra, Izzy Gotobed, Effua Ibojie, Marla-Sunshine Kellard-Jones, James Massiah, Femilola O’Brien Dele, Maya Ramnarine, Cora Sehgal Cuthbert, Ella Soni, Gwyneth Tambe-Green, Zoe Thompson, Harriet Vickers, Chantal X.W. and Alice Wong.

‘Cato In Conversation’ by Marla-Sunshine Kellard-Jones, from ‘Gathering’ publication (COAS)

The launch, happening at the same time as Frieze, was also a commentary on how small-scale artistic events can nurture more effective and beneficial connections, which was a success. The shop was filled with the contributors, but also friends, families and supporters. There was music, cake and publications for sale (which you can still get a grab on on COAS’s website). But most importantly, it didn’t feel like the usual art events where you have to pry your way into getting to know people, or come dressed fancy and full of glitter. All you had to do was show up as you are, and exchange with the people around you. There was genuine curiosity amongst artists to talk about each other’s work and nurture connections. 

In today’s art scene, which is notoriously hard to break into and feel comfortable or even welcomed in, the work that COAS does is one of high importance, but also one that shapes the future; new generations create the art industry they went to work in later. And what the collective shows us is that if you want something, you just have to build it yourself, not on your own, but through togetherness and genuine passion.

‘Gathering’ Publication from COAS