Shelter
The Outside In National Open Exhibition
The award-winning charity Outside In was established in 2006 to support artists who meet additional barriers to the art world. This might be due to health, disability, social circumstances or isolation.
For this exhibition, 81 artists have responded to the theme of ‘shelter’.
Director and Founder of Outside In, Marc Steene OBE, has remarked:
“The theme of ‘shelter’ is open to a variety of interpretations and seems particularly apt in a world where safety and security are increasingly in jeopardy for so many. Shelter could be used to describe a physical structure that provides protection, a place of refuge, somewhere that summons feelings of safety or belonging, such as a sanctuary or a ‘safe haven’, or the act of offering protection to others.”
The works on display have been selected from open submission. The selection panel included artist Exodus Crooks and Outside In artists Pamela Schilderman and George Parker-Conway alongside staff from both organisations.
The exhibition also features specially commissioned works by Chantal Pitts and Natasha Taheem. Outside In artist Killian the Phantomat helped to select the commissions from open submission.
Accompanying this project will be an exhibition on the theme of “shelter” drawn from the Collections of The New Art Gallery Walsall and Outside In. The curatorial team includes members of the West Midlands Artists Advisory Group: Corinne, IJE, Kitty Kaur and Pamela Schilderman.
A wide range of accessible resources will be available.
Access information
Preview
Friday 27 June, 6-8pm
Free, all welcome
Celebrating ‘Shelter’
Saturday 28 June, 12-3pm. Free
An opportunity to meet Director of Outside In, Marc Steene and some of the participating artists.
Exhibition Tour
Tuesday 5 August, 12-1pm
Join us for a special exhibition tour of the exhibition, led by Christine Thomas, one of the exhibiting artists.
Block Printing Workshop with Natasha Taheem
Tuesday 12 August, 11am-3pm
A 30-minute talk by Natasha about her commission piece followed by a block printing workshop. Print a patch of clothing to upcycle / elevate / politicise an outfit.
Art as Refuge Conference 2025
Friday 19 September & Saturday 20 September
A two-day conference organised by Outside In, hosted by The New Art Gallery Walsall and funded by The Baring Foundation.
The event will run alongside the National Exhibition – Shelter, featuring the work of the Outside In artists that inspired the conference theme.
Through a variety of workshops, discussions and performances, our programme examines the importance of creativity in people’s lives provoking conversation around the following questions:
- How does art provide space, respite, comfort, escape and, collectively, refuge?
- Am I an artist? Who decides the role, intention or validity of an artwork and its creator.
- What role does identity and intersectionality play in creative expression?
- Why is art made in the context of mental distress pathologized?
- Where is the voice of the artist in galleries, museums and heritage collections?
Exhibition Tour
Wednesday 24 September, 12-1pm
Join us for a special exhibition tour of the exhibition, led by Kilian ‘The Phantomat‘, one of the exhibiting artists.
BSL Tour with Olivier Jamin
Saturday 27 September, 2-3pm. Free.
Join Deaf artist, Olivier Jamin, for a tour of the Outside In National Open Exhibition in British Sign Language. Interpretation into spoken English will be provided, making the tour accessible for both hearing and Deaf visitors. Advance booking advised. To book, email alex.jolly@walsall.gov.uk
Exhibition Tour
Friday 3 October, 12-1pm
Join us for a special exhibition tour of the exhibition, led by Helen Grundy, one of the exhibiting artists.
Exhibition Tour followed by a Make Art workshop
Thursday 16 October, 11am-3pm
Join us for a tour of the exhibition and an art workshop with West Midlands artists.
Exhibition Tour
Friday 17 October, 12-1pm
Join us for a special exhibition tour of the exhibition, led by Sajida Asif, one of the exhibiting artists.
