Past Events & Commissions

The Keepers Artist Collective are actively involved in various projects based in Southampton and the surrounding area. Listed below are some recent events and associated publicity. 

The Keepers Artist Collective are Looking for a new home. We are currently using the Space at 84 East street  in Southampton as a project space for commissions and workshops.

Keepers at the Hampshire Studio Open weekend at St Andrew's in Southampton.

The Keepers Artist Collective are Looking for a new home. We are currently using the Space at 84 East street  in Southampton as a project space for commissions and workshops.

Bedford Place Festival 2nd July 2023

Archipelago exhibition at Harbour lights Southampton

Archipelago is an exhibition of abstract art made by some of the Keepers artists. These artists have been active in the city for manyyears and continue to contribute to the cultural life of Southampton. The contrasting individual styles can be described as a form of creative archipelago. Each artist’s practice having a distinct style but also contributing to a common vision of expression using very personal abstract pictorial languages.

The Keepers Pop Up event at October books Southampton July 2022

The Keepers were at October Books, Southampton during 6th to the 9th of July, 2022. It was a chance for them to engage with the public, something that had not been achievable for while because of the pandemic. Most artists worked on artwork during the stay and were able to answer questions from the public. It was held in the exhibition area at the back of the bookshop, and we would like to thank October Books for making us welcome.

Meet Tudor House Artist in residence Jackie Rolls

Come and meet Jacqueline Rolls, our artist in residence at Tudor House Museum and Gardens who will introduce you to her work and talk about her experience here at the House. Ticket will include a talk from the artist at 2pm, the opportunity to view and discuss her work with her on site until 4pm, and entry to the house throughout the day (from 10am).

Jacqueline was awarded a Developing your Creative Practice grant from Arts Council England and says:

“My project ‘Investigating new ways of creating with natural and recycled materials in a historical environment’ enabled me to take time out from my normal work creating willow sculptures to focus on experimenting and challenging myself as an artist.

I am grateful to Arts Council England for supporting me to do this it has been a fantastic experience and I have learned so much I also wish to say thank you to 'a space' arts, Southampton City Council, and the staff and volunteers at Tudor House Museums and Garden for providing support and encouragement to follow my dreams.”

Event's Website 

About Tudor House:

Southampton’s most important historic building, Tudor House reveals over 800 years of history in one fascinating location at the heart of the Old Town. The timber-framed building facing St Michael’s Square was built in the late 15th Century, with King John’s Palace, an adjacent Norman house accessible from Tudor House Garden, dating back a further 300 years. Tudor House gives a unique and atmospheric insight into the lives and times of both its residents through the years, and of Southampton itself. It appeals to visitors of all ages and interests, who find the family-friendly activities, interactive technology and fascinating displays a winning combination.

Martin Davey's exhibition and Artist residency at Southampton city gallery 

During the spring of 2022, Martin Davey had his foyer exhibition at the southampton City gallery, a prize of coming first in the 2018 open.  In addition he had a temporary  studio set up in the main hall where Martin was able to enguage with the public and schools.  The successful exhibition ran from the 9th April and finished a week  later than advertised, on the 11th June.

The Harbour lights Virtual expo

In the face of the Covid-19 emergency, our exhibition had been cancelled at the HarbourLights cinema exhibition space in Southampton . We would like to invite you to look at a the Artworks we were planning to exhibit at this event.

View the video tour 

The Keepers at Flourish Space at the Marlands

The Keepers will be making a public appearance during the latter part of January in central Southampton. They will be at the Marlands shopping centre for a few days sharing space at Flourish, which is a group that connects businesses, community groups and people together. Some artists from the Keepers will be on hand creating artwork in the space, and the public are encouraged to come in, view and ask any questions. Flourish is located on the ground floor, quite near to the Disney shop and Asda exit. The Keepers will be there from the Thursday 30th January through to Monday 3rd February. We thank Flourish and the Marlands in advance for the invitation.

Flourish space, Marlands Shopping centre in Southampton, Civic Centre Rd, SO14 7SJ. Thursday 30th January - Monday 3rd February

More about Flourish

Leo Deville's Display Rockaway Park

In September, Keepers Artist Leo Deville exhibited her work at the amazing Rockaway Park venue, at Templecloud, near to the Mendip Hills (BS39 5BU).

Rockaway Park is home to an ever expanding community of diverse and interdependent talents. At the core of their disused quarry is a belief that collaboration and collectivism, sharing work, vision and ideas are how all great creations take hold and manifest.

More about Leo Deville

More about Rockaway Park

2019 Talent Development bursary scheme

We are excited to announce that Keepers Jacqueline Rolls and Kye Wilson are two of the recipients of the Aspace's 2019 Talent Development bursary scheme.

They will embark on a six month project which will develop their practice or career.

Look twice artists exhibition

Keeper Artist Kate Thelwell is currently taking part in a unique collection of art inspired by the local area.

She will be exhibiting at Exbury throughout the summer with 11 other artists drawing their inspiration from the the New Forest, local beaches and harbours, as well as well-known landmarks including our very own Exbury Gardens.

Find more about Kate Thelwell's work 

Local exhibition at Cafe Naked in Southampton.

We were kindly invited to exhibit our paintings at a local cafe in Southampton. Featuring guest artists Sarah Maccario (abstract painting) and Geof Rey (Modigliani portrait )

Unity 101 Carboard sculptures by David McDiarmid

Camels and a Pelican?! In Southampton?!

David McDiarmid has been creating - for the past few weeks - a mother camel, a baby boy camel, and a gender neutral pelican, while using only cardboard. Many of the Unity 101 presenters have enjoyed talking to David while he's been creating these wonderful works of art. During this period, we've asked everyone to give the mother camel a name, and the baby camel boy a name. Now, we have the addition of our wonderful pelican.

Southampton Day of Art Exhibition at the Spark Southampton Solent University

The Accessible Art Show – Hampshire

Live Exhibition – 23 March 2019 – Southampton  

Online Auction

Starts 1 March 2019 Ends 5pm, 23 March 2019

The Accessible Art Show will showcase up to 50 local Hampshire artists, displaying over 300 pieces of original artwork. Combining an art exhibition, art fair and gallery with an online auction.  By providing opportunities for artists and showcasing their talents, visitors to the city will be able to enjoy a diverse range of art and activities throughout the day. Families will be encouraged to take part in creative, artist-led drop-in sessions to draw, paint and make together. Immersive experiences, public displays, exhibitions, performances, workshops, activities. The Accessible Art Show’s auction will enable everyone to interact with the Day of Art and maybe pick up a future masterpiece.

An Ensemble of Keepers artists exhibition

On the 2nd floor of the Marlands shopping centre in Southampton. 

Martin Davey: Paintings

Martin Davey's paintings are currently showcased at the Keepers Studios. Come and have a look at his paintings (4-3 East Street, below Bar, Southampton)

David Mc Darmid Latest exhibition 

the ArtNumber23 gallery in London 

The Keepers  Gallery 's new display by Jaxart

Jacqueline is versatile "willow" sculptor and can often be found out in the community demonstrating her craft and sharing her skills with others. Jaxart website 

The Keepers on Portland Street

 David Mc Darmuid's Carboard Hypogriff at the Portland Street Project by the Mutrend group

The Keepers new Gallery in Southampton

We are delighted to invite you to our new gallery and studio space on east street in Southampton. We are hoping to organise events and exhibition and help promote the Arts in the town centre.

Hampshire Open studios 2018 at Perry's art shop Southampton

http://www.hampshireopenstudios.org.uk/artists/southampton/item/the-keepers-artist-collective

Rosewood Free School commission

JMasson worked as Artist and designer in a collaboration with the Tract and Touch organisation, to create a multimedia installation developing innovative ways of teaching and learning for Rosewood Free School in Southampton, (Photography by Joe Low)

Umbrella Festival 

Southampton was host to an art and music festival during summer 2017. It was named as the 'Umbrella Arts Festival', and was held on the 10th June in Palmerston Park, one of the central parks within the City.

Three members of the 'Keepers' took part; Jacqueline Rolls, Sarah Maccario and Martin Davey. The artists took up residence for the day on a plot within the festival, using a gazebo kindly supplied by Jacqueline, and under which various pieces of artwork, cards and prints were offered for sale. The weather was kind and the turnout good, with the public dropping in for a chat. The event was supported by Big Lottery and SoCo Music Project, working with local partners from the area, and explored how music and the arts can have a transformative effect on our health and well-being, by the public taking part in a range of activities.

https://umbrellafest.wordpress.com/

 GAF centre Arts and Heritage Centre

During the summer, four 'Keepers', had an art exhibition at the Bursledon GAF centre, on the outskirts of Southampton. It ran from Saturday 15th July, which was a private view, through to the 11th of August, 2017. The artists exhibiting were Martin Davey, Sarah Maccario, Jacqueline Rolls, and Kate Thelwell. Some additional work was contributed by Kate's father, David Thelwell. Jacqueline was largely responsible for creating and organising the successful exhibition, held in the unique hall dating from the 18th century. Thanks goes to the members of GAF, and the local Bursledon community, for helping to make the exhibition a reality.

http://www.gaf.org.uk/

Henson pigs commission 

A number of pig sculptures appeared at the 'Keepers' studio during April 2017. The Keepers Artist Collective were able to accommodate in the working space, these 'guests' for a month, while worked on by guest artist Martin Davey, who was not a Keeper at the time. The pigs were to be painted to three different designs, and displayed in the summer of 2017 on the streets of Gloucestershire, situated in West England, on their 'Henson Trail' public art project. The pigs took approximately 6 weeks to prepare, using acrylic paint, with the initial designs created in Photoshop the previous year.

http://www.hensontrail.com/

The Steak of the Art Southampton commission 

During August some of the Keepers worked on a project with the 'Steak of the Art' restaurant at Ocean village, Southampton. The keepers were in charge of the project and came up with a simple yet colourful concept to be applied to wooden planters situated within the outdoor seating area of the restaurant. Each one was primed and then painted in a limited palette with a similar design, using enamel paint. One of the planters also featured the logo of the restaurant. The painted planters provide a welcome and cheerful relief to the 'hard' materials in the area and will delight those using the facilities.

http://www.steakoftheart.co.uk/southampton

BBC 'Upstart Crow' title/ insert artwork

During 2017 martin was commissioned to produce further drawings to be used within the BBC comedy series 'Upstart Crow', staring David Mitchell and written by Ben Elton. He had worked on the first series with director/ animator Kate Sullivan, and this commission was for a second series and Christmas special, due for late 2017. The drawings are drawn directly in Photoshop and exported in to After Effects for animation, after which they are used within the titles (beginning and end) as well as scene setting (locations) inserted in to the edit. The artwork is based on Tudor woodcuts and it was important to make them look 'wrong and funny' . Most of the subjects were buildings and landscapes, as well as people, animals and objects.

http://martindaveyillustration.co.uk/upstart_crow.html

Equality exhibition at Dukes Keep, Southampton

This exhibition aims to cover the history of equality in the UK. 

It is one of several modules covering the 9 strands of equality as defined by the equality act 2010.

The Equality exhibition is travelling to several sites through the UK, unfolding the challenges faced by ordinary individuals. As different equality strands are introduced in the exhibition at different stages, it allows to re-evaluate the moments in history that caught the attention of the world.

The individuals featured have gone down in history as heroes who have sown the seed of equality, the results of which society is reaping today. They challenged opponents, changed systems and worked towards bringing equality of opportunity for all. Their strength to fight gave freedom to those enslaved, hope to the poor, and peace to those suffering in silence. In addition, opportunity to those oppressed in society, and continuous empowerment to those who are still fighting for equality for all mankind.

This exhibition helps to inform, educate and provides a valuable insight into the determination and perseverance displayed by these activists. The exhibition at Dukes Keep offers a remarkable journey into history that celebrates and captures the work of many truly extraordinary heroes.

The Equality Act came into force on 1 Oct 2010 and brings together over 116 separate pieces of legislation into one single Act. 

Combined, they make up a new Act that provides a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all. 

For further information please visit: www.equalityhumanrights.com