Art Cafe x Fazenda
Posted on: 13.03.2026
Locals to the Lane will be familiar with Fazenda. This family-run café is a go-to spot for homecooked Italian meals, mouthwatering cakes and freshly roasted coffee. But if you can look up from your plate for a second (which is hard once you’ve tucked in), you’ll soon see that Fazenda is more than just a café: it’s a community hub.
So, when local mixed-media artist, Sylvietta, was looking for a space to bring her Art Café dream to life, it was a natural fit. Combining creativity, community, cake and wine, there really isn’t a much better way to start the week. We sat down with Sylvietta to get the skinny on what to expect, and why you should check it out.
What inspired you to launch Art Café?
“I’ve always dreamed of opening a space where people could enjoy visiting a café and have the chance to create whilst they’re there. I didn’t want just another Sip & Paint space, but somewhere people could really connect with their inner artist.
I don’t think it’s fair that only artists feel the benefits of art. Especially after a long day at a work, it’s the perfect way to unwind, to lose yourself in the process and just focus on beauty. I think we all need to do that every now and again.”
Why is it called Art Café?
“I wanted to make the experience accessible to everyone, so exactly like when you visit a café, we have a menu. It means that even if you have no experience of art or you’re feeling completely uninspired, you can still try something new and be guided through the process. We have collage, painting, sketching and many more activities for people to choose from.
I’d like people to see Art Café as an artistic gym, where you come to flex your creative muscles. You’re welcome to do your own ‘workout’ using the materials to develop your own ideas, or you can join a class and be inspired by one of the menu items. You can even get some personal training by following one of the guides I’ve created. I just want to make it really simple so people can treat creativity as a habit.”
What are the benefits of art?
“Art is like a meditation – you have to focus when you’re creating. When you copy a flower or you paint a self-portrait, all your attention is on that, so you forget about all your worries and everything else. Even if you make mistakes, it’s a learning experience that can enrich, energise and ultimately, empower you.
And on top of that, it’s good for your eyes, your brain, your problem-solving skills and your self-esteem.”
What would you like people to get from an evening at Art Café?
“I would like people to dedicate time to themselves, and to leave feeling proud of themselves. I want them to discover the joy that art can bring, and to celebrate that with a likeminded group, so they build the confidence to go further, whether they call themselves artists or not.
Ultimately, I want people to leave wanting to come back. I hope it gets them interested in learning more about art.”
Feeling tempted by an evening of creativity and community? We can’t promise that your interpretation of Matisse’s ‘Cat with Red Fish’ would fool the National Gallery, but we’re pretty certain you’ll have a blast putting your spin on it.
Art Café is on at Fazenda, 9 Harrow Place, every Monday from 18:30-20:30, and £15 tickets (which include a free drink) are available to purchase online or at the door.
