Nottingham is known for its vibrant creative scene, especially throughout Sneinton and Hockley in its many galleries, colourful street art murals and independent artist studios. Despite how many the city has, there are few that have stood the test of time quite like Surface Gallery which is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary next year.
The gallery is located on Southwell Road and is gearing up to launch its annual Postcard Show which sees hundreds of postcard-sized pieces of art sent in from around the world. While the gallery makes it look effortless, it's no easy task to curate, hang and catalogue hundreds of mini-artworks.
Jez Kirby, exhibition co-ordinator at Surface Gallery, said: "Surface was founded by three fine art graduates calling themselves Turtle Arts and it was in the basement of the volunteer centre on Mansfield Road. It became a hub for local artists, fine art students and recent graduates but it was very informal.
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"Eventually, the name was changed to Surface Gallery then the founding members left and new people came in. It was set up as a cooperative and it's been one ever since."
The gallery is a not-for-profit social enterprise that is run by volunteers who give up their time to curate, invigilate and organise. Over the years, this has provided invaluable experience for many recent graduates or those looking to break into the industry.
Jez said: "We always get lots of people volunteering but they come and go. Surface isn't for everyone but it tends to be those who are content to invigilate or those who are self-motivated who get the most out of the experience."
He added: "People end up joining the committee and becoming leaders of various teams whether its marketing or design. We want to give someone a chance or a leg up.
"It can be difficult to get people who want to stick around and take on the responsibility but it looks good on your CV that you were part of a team at an independent art space. It gives you a genuine experience and you don't get that with a lot of galleries as they have a different model. "
Funding can be a tricky subject when it comes to creative spaces due to cutbacks or the competitive nature of applications. Surface relies on its spaces for rent which can be used for exhibitions on either floor or the studio spaces that are occupied by working artists.
"We are reliant on hire including studio rent as well as exhibitions and events," Jez explained. "It gives us that independence as we are on a six-month rolling contract with the council since we moved from Mansfield Road."
The Southwell Road properties present another problem for the gallery due to the nature of the contracts on the older properties that need repairs. Plans to renovate the buildings were shelved over Covid and there is no longer funding set aside to modernise the shops and cafes. It has left those on the street in a state of flux over their future.
"It makes it difficult for us to get funding because although we have been here for 12 years, who would invest money in an organisation that, according to their contract, could be gone in six months," Jez added. Surface Gallery is best known for its street art exhibitions which saw block parties take over Sneinton Market, a female street artist live painting event take over Broadway on Broad Street and also the gallery is absolutely packed with exciting works of art.
Jez said: "The street art festival at its peak is one of the most memorable exhibitions. It caught the spirit of the times and it had to do with street art in Nottingham being illegal so it felt a bit naughty as people were getting arrested. Surface was instrumental in legitimising street art here because there was a whole explosion of it around that time.
"Since then, there are places where street artists can exhibit and it has become a lot more legitimised. We still have the exhibition, the street food and the alleyway mural done every year. Back in 2016, it was our biggest show of the year and people will remember how big those parties were but to the new people here, it's a big deal."
Charlotte Bainbridge and Charlotte Walker are two of Surface's volunteers helping to prepare for the Postcard Show which opened on January 13 and runs until February 4. Entries have hit 260 with more expected in the next few days.
Charlotte said: "We have a school from Japan and another from Canada who has sent in entries with a few around Nottingham. We have had loads from Spain, Germany, Poland and Austria so we have done pretty well in terms of entries this year.
"The pieces can be bought for £15 but could be worth £50. They are a real bargain because it could be an artist who generally sells their art for more. You never know, you could pick up something in a year that could be worth a lot."
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