The Avieli Arthouse is a creative collective; we advocate for cultural unity through artistic empowerment.
Our Purpose
To heal cultural division; tension between diverse socio-cultural groups.
We produce and deliver an intersectional, community-centered programme to foster solidarity amongst divided communities.
Our programme champions collaboration, dialogue, artistic development and storytelling rooted in human rights advocacy.
Co-Creation: Collaborating with artists, communities and organisations to support their practice and co-deliver their work.
Voices: Platforming diverse perspectives, unique insights, artworks & practices and culturally enriching conversations.
Touchpoints: Artistic development workshops, masterclasses and forums which explore a range of disciplines.
Creative Advocacy: Dedicated advocacy campaigns steered by innovative artistic productions and cultural dialogue.
Our Mission
Bring divided communities together to make something beautiful.
Serve creative endeavours, community-building efforts and advocacy initiatives through collaboration and consultancy.
Showcase grassroots voices which celebrate the richness of diversity and the power of representation.
Nurture multidisciplinary artistic expression within diverse individuals and communities.
Respond to vital conversations and debates through collaborative advocacy, founded upon artistic excellence.
Our Vision
Cultures are united through artistic practice and empathetic dialogue.
Inspire one another by bringing ideas to life.
Experience the resonance of shared experience.
Witness ourselves and each other through creativity.
Encounter unseen and unheard stories.
Our Values
Empower each other through the stories we tell, with:
Compassion
Empathy
Acceptance
Innovation
Play
Enquiry
Collaboration
Adventure
Our Ethos
A home for all to be seen, heard and known.
Our work invites communities of all identities - encompassing different abilities, sexualities, genders, religious beliefs, political affiliations, classes and socio-economic backgrounds - to enter and participate in campaigns of social justice.
This intersectionalapproach; an awareness of how different aspects of our identities can affect how we may experience privilege or discrimination; is key to fostering solidarity amongst divided communities with care and sensitivity.
Through art, we invite you, and ourselves, to practise deeper ways of co-existing, so we can cultivate collective healing.
Our Story
The Black Lives Matter protests of 2020 were a watershed moment.
During this period of social isolation, deepening division and global outrage, actor, writer and director Patrick Bayele, The Avieli Arthouse’s Co-Founder, was compelled to contribute his voice and respond to the moment. This encounter, animated by grief, hope and faith, inspired him and Esther Foga, fellow actor and musician, to create an ‘Arthouse’ where art can be used to unite cultures and instrument justice.
On October 6th, 2022, we founded The Avieli Arthouse after being awarded a StART Enterprise Award from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Photography by Tshiella D
The world has changed a lot since then; but a worrying trend has only worsened.
According to a survey conducted by King's College London & Ipsos, by the end of 2025, 84% of the UK public said that ‘the nation feels divided’, and 67% said the nation feels divided by ‘culture wars specifically.’ These proportions are at their highest since trends began in 2020, with increases of 10% and 21% respectively. Amongst all ages, genders and ethnic identities, a sense of national pride has declined totally. These statistics paint a troubling picture of a divided, rather than united, kingdom.
Amidst our cultural and political landscape, we believe that artistry, storytelling and dialogue is an essential lifeline for reconciliation amongst divided communities. Through artistry, we can learn about ourselves through the lives of other people; we can empathise with those whom we are quick to reject; we can accept invitations into vulnerability and shared humanity; we can begin again. To quote trailblazing artist and activist, Nina Simone, ‘An artist’s duty is to reflect the times.’ We trust that through our work, we can reflect the times, advocate for new futures and make something beautiful together.
Our Team
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Patrick Bayele - Company and Co-Artistic Director
Patrick is a British-born Ghanaian actor, writer and director. Mute until the age of five, he found his voice and expression through creativity and play. Since 2016, he has performed at the Criterion Theatre, the Royal Court, Wilton’s Music Hall, Shaftesbury Theatre, The Albany and alongside Bloomsbury Festival. He collaborates with diverse communities and organisations to tell stories about ‘ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.’ Patrick’s advocacy efforts of being a ‘peacemaker’ is guided by his Christian faith, and a provocation: ‘Art is proof that we are truly alive.’
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Esther Foga - Co-Artistic Director
Esther is a British-Jamaican multidisciplinary artist and lead singer of psychedelic rock band Close To The Sun, with experience in cabaret, musical theatre, film and arts facilitation within mainstream and SEND settings. Through songwriting, producing and performance, Esther’s work explores faith, community empowerment and contradictions in identity.
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Aixa Amarante Naranjo - Creative Producer
Aixa (pronounced eye-shah) is a Spanish-Dominican Creative Producer with a background in dance and musical theatre. Her work is centered around creating interdisciplinary works that are accessible and uplifting, focusing on fostering a safe and welcoming environment where diverse voices are not only heard but celebrated. Aixa remains passionately committed to transforming the global theatre landscape as her work continues to advocate for a theatre industry that is equitable, inclusive, and universally accessible, ensuring that every story finds its stage.
What does ‘Avieli’ mean?
We chose ‘Avieli’ to commemorate Anthony Bayele, who passed away in 2012.
He was an innovative artist - genuinely ahead of his time - and dearly appreciated.
‘Avieli’ (pronounced ah-vee-el-eh) means ‘beautiful’ in Dagaare; the language of the Dagaaba tribe in Northern Ghana; and is Anthony’s middle name.
Beauty is a guiding principle and a collective commitment. In honouring Anthony, The Avieli Arthouse yearns to illustrate how from loss and woundedness, we can make something beautiful and empower each other through the stories we tell.