SET to Close Some Doors and Sail Into a New Chapter
“We’ve patched our sails, packed the sequins, and now we’re shipping out — the next voyage starts here!”
From Dawn to Dusk — and Onward to New Horizons
From 2004 to 2025, the Sunshine Team has sailed far and wide — navigating the tides of creativity, community, and carnival. Over these 21 years, our studios, workshops, and events have been bustling harbours for artists, interns, families, emerging artists and friends — all coming together to make, learn, and celebrate carnival culture across London and beyond.
Now, we are SET to close some doors and raise anchor for a new adventure. As one stream flows into another, a fresh voyage begins — with the Sailor Man and his Mas leading the way.
“Every ripple leads to a new horizon.”
Anchors Aweigh: Where It All Began
Our journey set sail in the early 2000s, when Sunshine outgrew our director’s living room and found its first harbour at 209A Coldharbour Lane (2004). What started as a small archway soon transformed into a home for making, learning, and community — a Mas Camp, creative studio, and cultural hub that welcomed emerging artists, families, interns, and neighbours through its doors.
“All waters find their way to new shores.”
Sunshine continued to grow from Southwark Youth Carnival(2001-2008) to producing work on a large scale for Liverpool International Carnival Brouhaha (2001-2016), then to launch our award-winning Mas Band at Notting Hill Carnival in 2008- 2022, following by the opening of C.A.F.E. (Carnival Arts, Food & Empowerment).
That archway became more than a workspace — it became THE HOME OF SUNSHINE.
In 2013—to date—we became an Arts Council England NPO, and thanks to this support we have expanded our mission locally, nationally, and internationally and known as C.A.F.E. (Carnival Arts For Everyone).
In 2015, we developed more arches to offer affordable rental studios for smaller organisations; now, we operate out of five arches! It is a place of rhythm, craft, laughter, and culture, a port where creativity dropped anchor and community set sail.
“Every tide must turn before a new wave begins.”
Hoisting the Sails: Transforming for the Future 🌟
As we chart a new course, our mission remains clear:
- Deepen understanding and respect for Carnival and Cultural Arts
- Continue our work for the next generation while building on the foundations we have already laid.
- Celebrate Caribbean folklore and carnival characters in all we do
- Embed recycled and sustainable art practices into our work
This is a moment of growth, adventure, and renewal. While honouring the harbours we’ve called home, we’re ready to explore new waters.
SET to Sail into New Horizons
Closing doors doesn’t mean leaving the past behind — it means making space for bigger, bolder, brighter voyages:
🌞 New creative projects
🌞 Stronger community connections
🌞 More innovation in celebrating carnival and culture
To everyone who has joined our journey — artists, interns, families, partners, funders, volunteers, and friends — thank you. Together, we sail into this next chapter full of creativity, joy, and possibility.
Stay tuned as we transform our spaces and continue building Sunshine’s legacy for years to come.
— The Sunshine Team- Over the years
Ray, Thisbe, Bridie, Karen, Frank, Natty, Jonas, Paulo
And our baby Sasha!
Board of Trustees
Deborah, Annika, Lara, Charlotte, Sidney, Ronald, Shamica