COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

RIVA

Artist Deborah Law Henocq established the charity RIVA – which stands for Residencies in Visual Art – with the aim to support the provision for art as a subject in Islington and Hackney schools. Its core mission is to address environmental themes in a creative way.

“I’ve lived in De Beauvoir Town – incidentally, in a house that was sold out of The Benyon Estate in the 1930s – since the late 1970s,” explains Deborah. “As an artist and qualified art teacher, I could see the difference it can make for children to work more intensively alongside professional artists in a way that's not normally possible in a classroom."

"This is something we’re looking to do more. Teachers have commented on how helpful it is for students to experience working in a real artists’ studio and this space is fantastic,” says Deborah. “It even makes fellow artists’ jaws drop. It’s really light and quiet as it’s within a courtyard, set back from Southgate Road.”

 

Deborah Law Henocq
Teachers have commented on how helpful it is for students to experience working in a real artists' studio and this space is fantastic for it.

While the charity was started with the original aim to help fund artists taking up residences in schools, its remit has expanded to doing intensive, one-on-one work with children (selected by their school) as well as hosting workshops in their studio. RIVA has recently started working with Hackney New School, including organising two-hour workshops in the studio for some Year 10 students. 

RIVA – Residencies in Visual Art.

Email us on:info@riva-artists.co.uk

www.riva-artists.co.uk

Ella Doran

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From artist to florist, young family to lifelong resident, those who live and work in De Beauvoir Town each have their own connection with the local area, the community and The Benyon Estate team. We pride ourselves in providing the best possible accommodation, whether living or working space, to each of our residents, and enjoy seeing the spaces in which they live become their home. Read the first-hand stories of some of these residents here.