Blog
Explore our blog for a selection of useful guides, articles of interest and our member’s profiles.
Inside the Studios of Iconic Artists: Where Creativity Comes to Life
The studio is more than just a workspace for artists—it's a sanctuary, a laboratory, and sometimes even a muse. For many iconic artists, their studios were integral to their creative processes, providing the environment that shaped their most famous works. In this blog post, we’ll take a journey inside the studios of Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Georgia O’Keeffe to explore how these spaces fueled their artistic genius and what modern creatives can learn from them.
Urban Elephant Festival Returns for Another Year
Urban Elephant is back - a festival of friendship, understanding and celebration. World fusion and cross-cultural collaboration takes centre stage in Elephant and Castle this September as the festival will animate the beloved London district.
Windrush Day Raffia Embroidery Workshop with Tihara Smith
On the 22nd of June we had the pleasure of partnering with designer Tihara Smith to deliver a free embroidery workshop for young people aged 16+ to celebrate Windrush Day 2024. With support from Southwark Council’s Windrush 75 Commemoration Fund, we are pleased to be able to offer 10 free spaces for this workshop for young people aged 16+.
Embracing the Future: Navigating Remote and Hybrid Work Successfully
In a world where traditional work norms are undergoing a revolutionary transformation, the rise of remote and hybrid work is reshaping the way freelancers and start-ups approach their professional journeys. The flexibility inherent in these models allows individuals to craft their work environment, fostering a sense of autonomy and productivity.
Setting Goals and Targets for the New Year for Freelancers
A new year represents a fresh start and a chance to grow. As a freelancer, having clear goals and a solid plan can set you up for success. Let's talk about how to make the most of 2024!
A Guide to Serviced Offices
In today's dynamic business landscape, flexibility is key, and traditional office setups may not always fit the bill. Enter serviced office spaces, a modern solution that provides businesses with the flexibility they need without compromising on professionalism. In this guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about serviced office spaces and why they might be the perfect fit for your business.
Repurposing Retail: From Pharmacy to Gallery
The Hotel Elephant team are always pleased to see our members featured in the press and were delighted to spot Supriya Lele and Donald Ryan in the weekend edition of the Financial Times HTSI magazine. Released on the 9th of September, the article explores Fashion Designer Supriya Lele’s partnership with gallerist Donald Ryan who has recently launched Qrystal Partners, a project space and gallery in the former Pharmacy located on our site in Borough, SE1.
Challenges Faced by Small Businesses and Essential Tools to Overcome Them
As your small business experiences growth and expansion, it brings exciting opportunities and new horizons. However, with growth also come unique challenges that need careful navigation. In this article, we'll explore some of the common hurdles faced by expanding businesses and provide strategies to overcome them.
Press Release: Creative Elephant - 16th - 24th September 2023
Hotel Elephant is pleased to present Creative Elephant, a program of events and workshops celebrating the creative and design talents of our studio members for the London Design Festival and Urban Elephant Festival. The program will include a group exhibition of artwork and objects from our members, including textiles, fashion, fine art and jewellery. The exhibition is free to attend and will run for the duration of the festival. Our events program will include participatory workshops and demonstrations from different craftspeople, alongside an evening talk about Chinese Filigree for the Southwark Design District lates program. Booking will be required for the events, please see our website for more details.
Athena Stevens
Athena Stevens is an acclaimed writer, performer director and social activist. She is the Artistic Director of Aegis Productions Ltd, writer on attachment at the Finborough Theatre and Creative Council member and Associate Artist at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.