It all started with a text message, one of those moments where everything changes in an instant!
In 2007, a commercial art gallery in Southampton, one which already showcased local art, was about to close.
Together, with help from friends, the four founders (Bik, Jani, Nina and Ziggy) formed a voluntary not-for-profit organisation and took over the running of the space, adding food and drink, crafts, clothing, more events and groups to what was on offer.
The aims of the organisation were (and still are!):-
To PROMOTE all the arts.
To ENHANCE our local & global community.
To ENCOURAGE positive, healthy and sustainable living.
In April 2008 The Art House became a Community Interest Company, a new type of social enterprise.
The venture took off and grew so rapidly that the space soon became too small!
In March 2009, The Art house moved to Above Bar Street, where it stayed for 15 lovely years.
The Art House blossomed into an established arts venue, workshop and meeting space, all underpinned, and funded, by a cafe serving high quality food and drink.
During the Covid lockdown in 2020, we added to our project a community pantry – taking in supermarket surplus and donations from our community to share food, reduce food poverty and tackle waste.
In March 2024 the project transformed once again – responding to the cripplingly high costs of running a physical space by closing it’s doors and morphing into a pop-up, holding events in other local spaces.
The crew share a common passion for the environment and for social justice.
Sustainability and ethical choices have always been at the heart of what The Art House does.
When you come to one of our pop up events, you will find a space that is quirky, welcoming and utterly one of a kind, just like the people who spend time here!
Our events are for those who are looking for something a little out of the ordinary. A place where each individual is welcomed warmly and respected for their own uniqueness.
There are some big ideas at work, too. The project is just one part of a growing, global movement for social and environmental justice.
By coming to one of our events, you’re not just having coffee, doing a workshop or watching some live music, you are taking part in a worldwide groundswell which is really rather life-changing.
The butterfly on The Art House logo expresses this so well. It’s a symbol both of the emergence of creativity and passion that happens, the beauty of transforming our own lives to embrace our fullest potential, and the way that small actions can make a big, big difference in the world.
The Art House and her crew would like you to become part of this story by coming along to one of our events soon!
We invite you to join the mailing list, to stay in touch:
