“I would so love to show a really real image of Stadsatelier 56 in Eindhoven.”
What actually happens at Stadsatelier 56, and what are the activities that take place here? We put those questions and more to Jasper and Ron, who work at Stadsatelier 56:
“At City Workshop 56, it's mainly about free interpretation and discovering what the candidate or the person involved is comfortable with. We start with an interview to discover where the person's passions and interests lie. We also look at the person's taxability. The first step is often socialising and connecting with the neighbourhood. And if someone wants to expand from there, we offer external activities in cooperation with other organisations.
One example is the Kisses Factory, a kind of clothing line where we work with different parties. Here, we can take candidates to connect them with other organisations and let them take on a responsible role. We also organise workshops, both internally and at external locations. This gives candidates a chance to discover where their creative interests lie and to teach others something. We aim to let candidates take on more and more responsibility step by step.”
An artful meeting place
“It started years ago with Ron, who started painting from his activities. Slowly, this grew into a day filling place. At some point, he switched to Springplank and this is how City Studio 56 eventually came into being. Initially, he tried to set up something similar on Vissersstraat. Since June, we are now at this location in the Vierlander pursuing the same goal. Ron and I are both socially-minded people who like to do something with art and work with people. We are trying to shape that in this way.”
“My main responsibility is to ensure that this place is accessible and that people can feel safe and free here. I also try to find out their capabilities and interests and guide them in this. I also establish contacts with other organisations and companies to give candidates the opportunity to develop further. It is important to create a positive image of both City Workshop 56 and the people involved, and to break down any prejudices.”
Ron adds: ‘’We are a studio for everyone in Eindhoven. But especially actually, with the approach, people from shelters. Because art and culture, that just saves people. So hence, that's what we're actually doing here.”
56 as a platform for growth and hope
“’When it's quiet here, like now, I realise how happy I am,’‘ says Ron. ’’It gives me satisfaction to know that the studio is running, even when I'm just sitting at home. It's great that this place provides a stage for people to take steps, upwards actually, towards a better future. I think that's important. I find that it's a matter of letting go, giving away and giving people their own direction. It belongs to them. And if you look at projects here, it's not really one specific thing I'm most proud of. It's more about the overall growth and positive path that people take thanks to this studio. I consider that a victory.’'
