History/What we do
History
The idea and vision was born out of the Creativity Centre at Isledon's Resource Centre in 2003 as a collaborative project co-founded by artist service users Sara Rivers and Pauline St Marie and arts professionals Owen Smith and Anita Jensen. In 2004, the Other Side Gallery was constituted and registered as a charity dedicated to creating oportunites for marginalized/outsider artists in response to the need for exhibtion space and to address gaps in provision.
The vision was to get a permanent space to house the artwork and provide studio space for the artists, however, due to difficulties raising funds for such capital project the gallery was made available online. As the project grew, the Other Side Gallery reached out to provide opportunites to other organisations across London and now has over 200 member-artists from 20 different organisations and exhibits over 2000 art works.
Mission Statement
The Other Side gallery seeks to promote positive wellbeing through participatory projects in the arts and to facilitate social change by creating opportunities for access and inclusion in the arts.
Our Values
- The Other Side is service user led and builds on the strength of its foundation
- Embraces diversity and promotes inclusivity
- Seeks to establish and maintain positive relationships between artists-members and the general public
- Seeks to raise awarenesss of the value and significance of Contemporary Outsider Art
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What we do
Apart from offering marginalized artists opportunity to exhibit on our website we also provide the following:
Outreach Website Residencies
Website residencies involve collaborating with arts organisations in London to support artists to exhibit their work on our online gallery as well as participate in the exhibtions we organise. The organisations that we work with vary from dedicated arts organisations to care homes and hostels providing weekly classes.
Exhibitions
Art work is exhibited on our website and at regular exhibtions at different venues across London.
Member volunteering and management
The gallery seeks to support the involvement of its artists in all aspects of activity including its direction and management. The majority of the Board consists of artsist members who work alongside a steering group which is also made up of artists members/service users. Volunteering enables artists to work with The Other Side Gallery to acquire specfic skills including: curating, setting up and invigilating exhibitions as well as administrative opportunities.
Newsletter
Our monthly newsletter New Exchange includes sector news, reviews and opportunities for artisits such as: exhibitions submissions, competitions, jobs and volunteering. If you wish to contribute an item or review to the News Exchange, please contact us. The newsletter can be downloaded from the home page.
Education programme
When funding allows, we offer arts-based learning oppportunities, including: printmaking and life drawing and a programme for artists' professional development.
General public
The website and exhibtions bring Contemporary Outsider Art to the public attention and celebrates difference and creativity.
Organisations that we are currently working with
The Creativity Centre, Studio Upstairs, Ashley Road MIND and Outcome, Artscope, Despard Road MIND, Action Space, The Epic Trust, Siren Arts, Core Arts, Capital A, St Mungo's, Link Arts at Barnet College, Peter Bedford, Skylight at Crisis, Single Homeless Project, Claremont Project and Outlook.