About Us

We're a grassroots social enterprise based in East London, born from a vision to make quality art education truly accessible. Too often, we saw talented LGBTQ+ artists struggling to find meaningful work, while older adults and under-resourced community members faced barriers to creative learning. We decided to bridge that gap.

 

Our story really took shape in late 2023, when we launched our first fully funded 12-week art program. What unfolded exceeded our hopes. Twenty individuals from across East London—neurodiverse folks, elderly residents, LGBTQ+ community members, disabled artists, and people experiencing loneliness—came together to learn, create, and connect. They were guided by nine professional local LGBTQ+ artists who brought not just technical skill, but lived experience and authentic understanding.

 

The transformation was beautiful to witness. People who'd lived in London for years visited Tate Britain and The National Gallery for the first time. A 70-year-old discovered a local gallery just streets from home. Friendships blossomed. A WhatsApp group that was meant for program updates became a lifeline of exhibition recommendations, meetup plans, and genuine care. The program culminated in a group exhibition at Trowbridge Gallery — a celebration of newfound confidence and creative voice.

 

But the real success? It didn't end when the program did. Ninety-five percent of participants continued their art education, actively seeking workshops and courses they'd never known existed. The community we'd hoped to build was building itself, meeting for gallery visits, supporting one another's creative journeys, actively staying in touch.

 

Now, we're evolving. Some of our original participants are returning as paid workshop facilitators, embodying our commitment to knowledge sharing and community-led growth. We're working toward formal CIC registration while staying true to our grassroots roots and core values: inclusion, free art education, knowledge sharing, and fighting ageism.

We're proving that when you create space for people—really make space, removing financial barriers and centering lived experience—something extraordinary happens. Art becomes more than learning technique. It becomes connection, confidence, and community.

 

This is just the beginning of our story, and we're always looking for partners and supporters who share our vision of a more creative, connected London.