Stars of Big Gay Wedding with Tom Allen open new West Sussex art studio and shop

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​​A new Worthing shop was given a colourful welcome as celebrity ceramicist Adam Johnson and his graphic designer husband Dan Mackey cut the ribbon.

The couple, who appeared in the BBC One film Big Gay Wedding with Tom Allen in March, were sporting exclusive new t-shirts they designed with Superstar Arts following the show.

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Adam and Dan then helped create the 'Love is Love and 'I am what I am' t-shirts in collaboration with Superstar Arts to help raise vital funds for the charity, which provides meaningful creative projects for young people and adults with learning disabilities from across West Sussex.

Adam and Dan from Big Gay Wedding with Tom Allen cut the ribbon to open Superstar Arts' new studio and shop in TarringAdam and Dan from Big Gay Wedding with Tom Allen cut the ribbon to open Superstar Arts' new studio and shop in Tarring
Adam and Dan from Big Gay Wedding with Tom Allen cut the ribbon to open Superstar Arts' new studio and shop in Tarring

The couple greeted guests on Tuesday morning, at the opening of Superstar Arts' new art studio and shop in South Street, Tarring, just down the road from the charity's base at West Worthing Baptist Church.

Adam said it was a wonderful space where the Superstar arts will be able to do their own screenprinting and showcase their artwork.

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Jo Sullivan, chief executive and co-founder, said that having run it as a charity shop for three years, they felt the time was right to redesign the space to concentrate solely on the artists' original pieces.

Adam and Dan from Big Gay Wedding with Tom Allen cut the ribbon to open Superstar Arts' new studio and shop in TarringAdam and Dan from Big Gay Wedding with Tom Allen cut the ribbon to open Superstar Arts' new studio and shop in Tarring
Adam and Dan from Big Gay Wedding with Tom Allen cut the ribbon to open Superstar Arts' new studio and shop in Tarring

The shop will sell Superstar Arts products like t-shirts, bags, pom-pom wreaths, cards and paintings, and the artists will be there working in the art studio each weekday. Jo said they are also planning to run workshops on Saturdays.

Volunteer Nik Patterson spent around eight weeks reorganising the shop and building special modular units.

He said: "I have been working with the Superstars for a year now and I just love the place. It is so joyful. I love art and music, so its a perfect match.

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"The new space means more of them can work in there, own it and be part of it. I have just loved creating it for them. From what it was, it looks so different but we haven't actually done that much to it.

"The biggest change is the box unit counter, which can become a cube in the middle or be pushed to the side for an art gallery feel, so there are three different options."

Adam said having the screenprinting in the shop meant it was more accessible to people and he looked forward to working with the Superstar Arts on more projects in the future.