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Past and Future
Operating within the structure, aims and objectives of The Lodge Arts Centre in Victoria Park, Portsmouth, whilst adopting the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 27.

Article 27

(1) Everyone has the right to freely participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

To create an International Arts/Media Development social enterprise offering and facilitating quality creative programmes that encompass Traditional, Modern, Contemporary and Progressive, Indoor and Outdoor activities.

The unique selling point is not only the varied services and family atmosphere but the venue itself, if you are trying to get to the community where better to start than the parks open green spaces. This is where people come and get away from the daily grind and enjoy the trees the grass the animals the natural peace and breath a positive breath. Social rebuilding through education in creative studies whilst raising public awareness and the importance of community regeneration and planning.

This is not just a job, but a life times ambition a dream that came true with the lodge and now we want to share that dream with everyone else who needs and wants it.

Mission Statement

ART 27 exist to provide access to the arts for all. Promoting art for arts sake, employment and community cohesion through enjoyment and participation in the arts.

ART 27 will lobby, fund raise and co-ordinate a ‘not-for-profit’ international social enterprise through community planning, respecting cultural diversity and encouraging individual accomplishment through the pursuit of ideas towards the fulfilment of inherent artistic potential.

Starting locally from Portsmouth near where the A 27 road starts we will head east to Chichester, Bognor (confirmed), Brighton, Lewes, Eastbourne then Europe and eventually the world. Locating and regenerating urban spaces i.e. derelict and out of use/vacant buildings in parks.

Using our experience and expertise we will provide consultancy and support by franchising (adapted turn key) our concept of ART in the PARK. Offering a unique opportunity for local artists, residents and social entrepreneurs within each individual community.

All procedures, policies, projects, systems and facilitators are included in our manifesto that will be reproduced for the next venue and group.

We will work in partnership with other socially conscientious organisations and cultural entrepreneurs to share knowledge, information, match fund and project manage initiatives implementing and maintaining cultural diversity that benefits from globalization rather than being its innocent victim.

We are and have been for many years involved in a number of different community activities. We undertake many public art murals and street art workshops off site for various councils, housing associations, schools and businesses.

Within the Lodge building we facilitate and offer video making, arts and crafts, web design, creative computing, music production and radio broadcasting courses which are added to our internet radio station. It acts as a resource centre for artists, students and new businesses, DJ workshops and band Rehearsal space, Also we run workshops, classes and events in the park including music, arts and crafts, yoga, tai chi, circus skills, capeario and a bicycle re-cycling scheme. We have organised two very successful Party in the Park festivals the first one attracting 2,500 people the second nearly 5,000 and this is the first time a voluntary organization has achieved this locally. Also this was the biggest events ever held in the parks 129 year history.

One of the major social problems of our day is that there is such a need for creative activities and workable knowledge. There is a genuine need and real gap in the high street activism league table to deliver creative opportunities and experiences for the people. This is one of the few things in life that does cross boundaries of race, greed, colour or even class and brings people together in a lasting positive way. We have had many examples of learners coming to try a couple of varied activities just for experience and have surprisingly found their hidden talents within these. Whilst offering progression routes into volunteer work, self employment, university and other higher education.

We have shown that social outcomes and social responsibility really do matter to us whether it is a workshop involving all the family members, young people at risk of exclusion, long term unemployed or many others.

All projects, events, workshops, courses and exhibitions are a crucial part of the ‘Stepping Stone’ onto a living wage, career opportunities and volunteering through community involvement

With professional career people offering their services voluntary, teaching others their skill and techniques brings the best out in all involved.

The Creative Industries are one of the fastest growing Sectors within the UK with 1.1 million people in companies and 2 million including individuals and rising 6% per year compared with 3% in the rest of the economy. The export of Creative Industries is worth over £12 billion*.

What is different about ART 27 is that is has a past, a past that has organically grown by the community for the community, encompassing all that is important to them. This is what we can do for others saving them so much initial energy and resources and starting on a professional and transparent not for profit socially aware business that is networked to the main frame. After reaching over 23,000 people in nearly 5 years, running a diverse selection of courses and workshops we have kept evaluation and monitoring forms whilst listening to the feedback of the general public that there is a need and nothing else around like this. One of our unique selling points is the ethos (not for profit for the people by the people) and venue, it is approachable, friendly, busy and most of all very beautiful. It is an idyllic place in the countryside yet it is in the city centre.

Our adult courses are open to anyone but we specifically target the unemployed, refugees, lone parents, disabled, homeless, elderly and those of an ethnic minority. The Lodge aims to reach those underrepresented in society and actively does this through outreach. Our courses have been aimed at those who have had little or no formal learning in the last few years and we have been very successful in targeting and facilitating these groups.

We have strong links with our target groups such as Councils, Youth services, Volunteers and exchange student programmes, BME groups also with Employment Trusts and other organisations supporting people with mental health issues and disabilities.

Major Achievements

Raising the Initial £80,000 for the renovation work back in 2001 was my first major achievement then undertaking the project managing of the restoration work.

Winning the ‘Best restoration’ award for the lodge from the Portsmouth society in 2003. Having 8 various projects unveiled by local lord Mayors, winning the best landscaping award for the strand city Map mural and sculpture situated in Southsea in 1998 and receiving ongoing respect from the community and local media. The Strand Mural is one of the largest and best known public art murals on the south coast, we used specialist mineral paint that have a life span of over 100 years we also hold the lease of the wall for 99 years.

Receiving 5 voluntary endeavor awards including the NVO regional inspirational community leader? Creating over £300,000 in living wages for people some with no prior experience, this gave them the opportunity to work with and learn from respected and experienced facilitators whilst drawing a wage.

This is the ideal project as it has already a proven track record. Started and still run mainly by volunteers enthusiasm we have raised and generated nearly £800,000 in 5 years including the micro business started from Art in the Park.

We have provided a consultancy service to schools, arts organisations, Students, community groups and individuals. We have helped many individuals back into employment and at one point had more people on InBiz than the local job centre.

The organisation has blossomed over the last 5 years into a resilient, innovative initiative with around 175 local and European volunteers giving their time and energy clocking up 40,000 hours. We now have a solid, concrete, foundation forged through our volunteers dedication and support from our wide network of contacts, associates and supporters.

After unsuccessfully applying for a place at Portsmouth Art College I became a self employed Muralist and Decorative Artist at the age of 18. By the time I was 22 I had started 4 small business’s and in 1990 I became the first person in the world to paint satellite dishes as a business and received international media attention. At the International Trade Event at the NEC in Birmingham 1992, I presented HRH Prince Charles with a camouflaged dish cover for his Highgrove home.

In renovating the lodge we have learnt the meaning of work. We have begun to really understand the process by which ideas are turned into action. Making things real requires a single-mindedness and determination to succeed that persuade others as much by the force of your conviction as by the idea itself.

The Art & Soul Traders group was initiated in 1997 by myself after building up extensive recognition and requests for my murals along the South coast.

We became a limited company in 2002 after renovating the gate keepers Lodge in the idyllic award winning Victoria Park and so Art in the Park was born. It is now home to a fair-trade café gallery, multi-media suite, studio, office and a workshop for most crafts situated in its enchanted garden. With disabled access and toilet, broadband throughout this quaint little gate keepers cottage really has been transformed into a state-of-the-art creative hub.

With the interest and implementation of the Arts promoting social change, we represent an ongoing faith in the ideal of participatory democracy and as the best way to confront and combat all social problems, whilst being effective, positive and creative, not to mention having fun.

Mark E.W Lewis 2007