A bootcamp designed to assist artists in launching their careers has enabled participants to showcase their work in galleries and magazines.
This 10-week initiative, aimed at supporting working-class artists in the West Midlands, has been held twice this year and was created by Ruth Millington, an art curator and critic based in Birmingham.
Millington noted that breaking into the art world can be incredibly challenging, especially for those without established connections or family wealth.
Sandra Palmer, also known as The Brummy Artist, who has previously exhibited her pieces in both Birmingham and London, described the initiative as a “game-changer.”
From the inaugural bootcamp, six artists have gone on to display their works in galleries, and all 20 participants have received media attention, including features in Stylist magazine.
The program, titled Get Gallery Ready, is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and hosted at Solihull College & University Centre, and is offered free of charge to visual artists in the area.
Participants had the opportunity to engage with guest speakers, while Millington provided portfolio reviews and the groups visited various galleries, museums, and studios, including Ikon Gallery, RBSA Gallery, Coventry Biennial, Stryx Gallery, and Nook.
Each bootcamp concludes with an exhibition at The Courtyard Gallery at The Core in Solihull.
Birmingham artist Tara Harris expressed how the program significantly boosted her confidence, belief, and motivation to be recognized as an artist.
Yulia Lisle, who hails from Ukraine, managed to secure her first solo exhibition, A Moment to Gather, at Nook gallery, attributing her success to the transformative support she received.
Participant Odette Campbell, who specializes in textiles and creates abstract embroidery, stated that her involvement gave her “extra belief that stitch does have a place in the art world.”
Ms. Campbell will be leading a six-week craft club starting next year on Tuesdays at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
Artists from the second bootcamp are currently exhibiting their work in the Winter Folk exhibition, running until January 10 at The Courtyard Gallery.
Millington, who has previous experience at galleries in London, remarked on how fiercely competitive and complex the art industry can be, adding that art schools typically do not equip students with the skills necessary for gallery preparedness.
“My goal was to level the playing field,” she stated.
At WMCA, Hayley Pepler expressed the authority’s excitement over the remarkable success of the bootcamps and how they have directly addressed local needs.
