An exhibition of original artworks made from coffee has arrived in London. The Gentlemen Baristas and Bleur, a London indie art gallery have come together to create ‘The Art of Coffee’, opening its doors at the new Gentlemen Baristas flagship London coffee house on 23rd of September. The artwork celebrates the ritual of coffee and its role in fostering connections and community and will be auctioned to raise funds for social enterprise Well Grounded.

A collection of emerging London based female artists with practices ranging from abstract to fashion figurative, including; Joanna Layla, Eva Merendes, Jemima Sara and Blandine Bardeau, were invited to use the medium of coffee (The Gentlemen Baristas, of course), to create the limited edition works.

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The Art of Coffee will be displayed at The Gentlemen Baristas’ new London flagship coffee house in Piccadilly for the opening weekend and auctioned to raise funds for Well Grounded which runs London’s first series of Specialty Coffee Training Academies for people facing barriers to employment.

Well Grounded supports unemployed beneficiaries who have a range of needs and welcomes trainees to virtual and face-to-face programmes from across the capital with two coffee training academies, in Camden and Tower Hamlets. The Well Grounded programme empowers people with the skills, training, mentorship and qualifications they need to access work in the specialty coffee industry. Their Aftercare programme transitions over 70% of Graduates into work, further training and education and provides ongoing free wellbeing and coffee training support.

All profits from art sales will support Well Grounded and help change the lives of unemployed people through coffee.

Ed Parkes, founder, The Gentlemen Baristas said:

“We wanted to create an environment for the community to come together. From the growers to the roasters to our baristas and customers, coffee is built on communities so what better way to bring these rich stories to life than through the art of coffee! The way we explore coffee and flavour is very much like the way an artist approaches a masterpiece.”

Eve Wagg, Founder, Well Grounded said: “In partnership with the industry we will ensure those most impacted by the pandemic have access to expert training, qualifications, mental health and wellbeing support so they can thrive in the industry we all love. We are looking forward to working with The Gentlemen Baristas to provide work placements and jobs.”

Joanna Layla, who created a series of artworks for the exhibition, said: “Getting a coffee in the morning is a moment to pause, reflect and watch the world go by. Both coffee and fashion capture the cultural zeitgeist. A little like traditional ink, and yet simultaneously something completely unique, the coffee ink was so beautiful to work with. l Iove the depth of colour in a single brushstroke.”

The Gentlemen Baristas is a roastery and coffee house serving exceptional, well-mannered specialty coffee with ten sites across London. Inspired by the age-old traditions of serving a superb cup of coffee and providing a meeting point for London’s modern day visionaries.