and sell work at the Old Fishing Quarter Gallery, Brighton. Later that year he invited them to take part in his own
Open House as part of Lewes Artwave which went on to win the Best Venue prize that year.
The Sussex Arts Collective was born. In subsequent years the group won Artwave Best Venue for a second time and
went on to build a loyal following from supporters and patrons from across the south east and further afield. By this
time they were no longer just a small group who met in open house events as they had expanded to over seventy
members and required to show in bigger venues.
For many years Phil booked venues such as The Grange in Rottingdean, The Crypt Gallery in Seaford, Lewes House
in Lewes and regularly held their Christmas exhibition at the now defunct HOP Gallery in Lewes.
Following a hiatus due to the COVID pandemic it looked like the prospects for the group were quite bleak.
However, by a stroke of luck and quick thinking by one the members he found a vacant shop on the High Street,
Seaford and a very supportive landlady. Subsequently the Collective moved into what is now their permanent
home Gallery UNO in October 2021, opening their first exhibition UNO ONE on 4th November.
Phil Duncan continues to head the Sussex Arts Collective and runs Gallery UNO. His principles remain same now
as they did back in 2006: To be able to provide cost-effective exhibition space for a diverse range of artists and
makers allowing them to rightfully profit from their labours and making owning quality art and craftwork accessible
to a wider audience.
Supporting and getting involved with our local artists and craftspeople.
Become a SUPPORTER
- You can join our ever growing mailing list using our Sign Me Up! online form.
- We will inform you by email about news and events involving our
Members.
- You
will also receive invitations to our exhibitions and private view events.
If you work or live in either East or West Sussex and you have a body of art/craftwork you want
to promote you can become a MEMBER.
For a £35 annual fee you will receive:
- An entry in the Directory which will provide you space on our website to show examples
of your work, contact details, web links and space for a 150-200 word statement.
- We will promote events and exhibitions you are involved in by sending an email newsletter to
our Supporters and unlimited entries on our events page
.
- An opportunity to be selected for 'Collective' exhibitions. (See Exhibiting as a Member below).
- You will also be added to our database and notified of future exhibiting opportunities.
Simply fill in the Sign Me Up! online form and we will contact you.
At the moment the 'Collective' exhibits as a group twice a year at prominent galleries in Sussex.
- Exhibitors are selected from Members. (An additional payment will be due for each exhibition to cover costs).
- Ultimately, exhibitors are selected on a show by show basis to complement each other, providing a balance
and vibrancy that visitors will enjoy. There is no formal process.
We welcome work in any genre or style.
The criteria is simple, the artwork must:
Be designed and made by the artist/craftsperson.
Show artistic endeavour and ambition.
Be finished, mounted or framed to a high standard.
Typically use colour, shape, form, pattern, texture in inventive and original ways.
Positively reflect the quality associated with such a strong artistic community found in one such as ours.
NOTES:
(1). Members and Associated Members will pay an annual subscription which will be due for renewal one year
from the date of the first payment. The current annual subscriptions are £35 and £45 respectively but may
increase or decrease at the date of renewal.
(2). One entry per event. Each entry provides space for an image, a brief description of the event, dates,
time and web links.
Content for each entry must be provided by the member. The Sussex Arts Collective reserve the right to refuse
or remove content provided by the member if unsuitable in content or quality.
(3). One entry for the duration of each event promoted.