Networking Events & Away Days – 2022

When you join the Network you’ll get the opportunity to come along to x2 fantastic Away Days in Portsmouth and Southampton, visiting other galleries, artist studios, creative spaces and hear about other development programmes taking place across the South.

Thu 4th August 2022: The Makers Guild and Aspex, Portsmouth

The Makers Guild provide a series of shared makerspaces for creatives in Portsmouth. They have facilities for craftspeople, designers and engineers and are entirely self-funded.

Aspex are Portsmouth’s leading contemporary art gallery, located in Gunwharf Quays, they have been supporting emerging artists and makers for over 40 years. We’ll be meeting with their curator Vickie Fear to discuss their opportunities and support for artists. Vickie will also be providing a creative Zoom session later in the year on Artist Networks & DIY Practices.

The ferry travel for this away day is very kindly supported by Wightlink.


Sat 17th September 2022: God’s House Tower & The Arches Open Studios, Southampton

God’s House Tower is managed by ‘a space’ arts. Established in 2000, by artists for artists, ‘a space’ arts is a visual arts organisation that leads on a range of artist development projects, including the Arches and Tower House studios, God’s House Tower, and the RIPE programme, along with delivering a bespoke range of Artist Resources.

The Arches Studios will be holding their Open Studios weekend on 17th & 18th Sept. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet the makers, visit GHT exhibition space and their Artist Development Officer, Mary Cork.

The ferry travel for this away day is very kindly supported by Red Funnel.

Photo credits from left to right: 2021 GHT Lucky Dip by Luke Shears. Arches Open 2021 by Damian Cook. Arches Studios Mural by Nathan Evans.


Networking Events coming up on the Isle of Wight in 2022

  • Sat 23rd July, 4-6pm at the Ventnor Fringe Festival, Big Top Bar. Open to everyone.
  • Thu 15th September, 6-8pm at Independent Arts, Newport. IW Creative Network members only.
  • Thu 13th October, 6-8pm at Ventnor Exchange, Ventnor. IW Creative Network members only.
  • Thu 3rd November, 6-8pm at The Department, Ryde. IW Creative Network members only.

More information will be sent to members of the IW Creative Network via Eventbrite on forthcoming IW networking events.