Chilli Studios, just round the corner from SAW and formerly known as Newcastle and Gateshead Art Studio (NAGAS), provides a number of creative services and opportunities for people who are experiencing mental health issues or other factors that may lead to social exclusion. The Chilli Studios team of creative professionals and support workers aim to engage people creatively to promote inclusion and interaction, develop skills, build resilience and ultimately improve wellbeing. They facilitate a programme of creative workshops for members to take part in, including drawing, painting, sculpture, creative writing, music and more.

SAW has been working with Chilli Studios (formerly NAGAS) for over 5 years; hosting their annual exhibitions and working with individual members on creative projects, commissions and performances. In 2015 we partnered with Chilli Studios for our Lent show 40 Days in the Dark. We also have worked with members Ruth H for our Advent publication Now and Not Yet and Olya B for our recent exhibition publication Your Deeds Don’t Define You. In 2014 we screened Andrew Wilson’s documentary Apples is Apples.