THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGISTS
CHARITY
Pallant House
Gallery
Outside In: Digital
Participation Days
F
ounded by Pallant House Gallery
in 2006, Outside In provides a
platform for artists who see
themselves as facing barriers to the art
world due to health, disability, social
circumstance or isolation. The key aim is
to support isolated artists and those
without the skills or facilities to create
online galleries on the Outside In website;
thereby, tackling digital exclusion and
providing an opportunity for them to
Of the 13 sessions organised, 5
share, exhibit and sell their work.
were in venues that we have not
run sessions in before, which is a
Since receiving £2,500, in early 2016,
positive sign that Outside In is
from the WCIT, Outside In has organised continuing to reach out to new
13 Digital Participation Days across the
organisations across the UK. This
UK. The days are delivered through one- really reflects the importance of
to-one sessions by an Outside In staffthese sessions in sharing new
member and specifically trained
skills with artists, creating a digital
volunteers, with the artist and/or their
presence for their work and helping
carer, support worker or family member.
them to develop their confidence and
During any session between 7 - 21 artists self-esteem.
will be supported. The sessions will
enable artists to learn and improve
X is a self-taught artist living in Hastings,
numerous skills including: literacy, digital who became engaged with Outside In via
literacy, communication and selfa local community organisation providing
promotion, as well as improving
support for adults with mental health
confidence in themselves.
issues. As with many other Outside In
participants, X began making art as a
small child. In his twenties, X began
producing a series of elaborate and
colourful drawings, which by his own
admission were stimulated by long
periods of depression and substance
addiction.
Contributed by
Beth Troakes,
Development
Department,
Pallant House
Gallery
X’s support worker recognised the
importance of art in X’s life and the level
of talent evident in his drawings. An
invitation to an Outside In Digital
Participation Day subsequently provided
the opportunity for X to share his artwork
with the project team, accompanied by his
support worker.
“We had to go up to the Museum and
show them my work. They seemed to like
them and took pictures of them and it
went from there really. They were pretty
positive, they liked the work. I’ve got a
page on the Outside In website now
through that Digital Participation Day. It
made me start again; it did motivate me,
absolutely. It was good because I never
“The doodling got more elaborate and
expected it, never expected it, so it was
colourful, they just seemed to grow and
good, very good. Then especially when I
some people did say that they were pretty sold a couple of bits, I was amazed,
nice. It was the substance abuse which
absolutely amazed!”
did it. Then it went into more sepia and
darker colours, it reflected the depression With this renewed sense of confidence
Beth Troakes, Development Officer at
at the time, they went black and white. I
and self-esteem, X attended an artist
Pallant House said, “We were incredibly
didn’t
realise
it
at
the
time,
it’s
just
the
way
forum held at the Gallery, X suggested he
grateful for the support of WCIT, it has
it was. I guess it expresses my mood, not felt less socially isolated and part of a
allowed us to make a real difference, as
consciously but just a way of getting stuff wider community. Although seemingly
well as broadening people’s
out. It was just something to do because
unimportant, this event resulted in critical
understanding of those who have often
my mind was racing.”
shifts, supporting small movements
faced being marginalised when it comes
towards positive mental health and X is
to engaging with the arts due to their lack
As X’s mental health deteriorated, so the now making gradual steps towards a
of digital skills as well as their social and
drawings became more sombre and
more settled future.
economic situations.
intricate, reflecting the complex internal
struggles he was experiencing. At this
Having now established a trusting
On behalf of Pallant House Gallery and
point, X was referred to Hastings Your
relationship with Outside In, X is now
the Outside In department I would like to
Way, a charity working to improve
keen to share his developing practice and
thank you for your support.”
individual mental health and one of
the new direction his work might take.
In total, 70 artists have attended so far. Of Outside In’s many partner organisations.
these, 53 were artists new to Outside In.
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