The Chalk Gallery is a collaborative project between 21 artists who work together to promote and sell each other's work, run the venue and pay the bills.

We are a non -profit making, artist-led co-operative venture for professional Sussex artists to showcase their work in a permanent space in Lewes. The premises accommodates approximately 70 works from twenty one committed artists, in a friendly, relaxed but professionally presented space.

As well as exhibiting at 4 North Street, Chalk aims to promote the work and the artists in the wider community of Lewes and East Sussex, organising events, collaborating with local businesses and mounting exhibitions in a variety of venues.

We have ongoing shows in Pizza Express in both Lewes and Eastbourne. Recent outside shows include a stand at Brighton Art Fair 2006, a group show in Riverside, Lewes and a group exhibition in Thebes Gallery, Lewes. We organise regular Private Views and Special Events and take part in Lewes Artwave each year. Regular press releases and efforts by the PR team as well as widely distributed eye-catching flyers result in successful high profile publicity for both the gallery and the artists.

Artists commit themselves to a minimum 6 months membership, regular attendance at meetings and working in the gallery one day in every two/three weeks. Additionally everyone takes part in at least one aspect of the business of running the project, undertaking extra tasks for special events as necessary.

Here's how it works -

1st Read the BASIC CRITERIA

(outlined below) and, if you are interested in committing yourself to this project, please send your CV and Artist's Statement and at least six good quality photographic images of recent work (enclose an SAE if you want your images posted back to you).
We would also be interested to hear of any useful skills you might be able to bring to our organisation.

Send them to:

Chalk Gallery Recruitment Team,

4 North Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2PA

2nd The Chalk Artists then consider your work

and skills and how both would fit into the gallery.Initially it may take a month or so for us to get back to you, don't worry this is normal.

If you are successful at this stage, you will be invited to come and meet the Recruitment Team and a few 'Chalkies' for an informal interview. To give you some idea of what to expect, the Recruitment Panel will usually consist of around 5 Chalk Artists and will take place in the gallery after closing hours.

You will be asked to bring your portfolio of original work, consisting of at least 6 pieces completed recently.

BASIC CRITERIA

High quality, affordable contemporary art works - 2D and 3D incorporating a balance of style and media, appropriate to the gallery.

All works should be original, by the 'hand of the artist' - (reproduction prints are not acceptable).

Fee of £50 p.c.m for wall/plinth display space, plus browser space, to be paid by 'Standing Order' agreement.

A commission of 10 - 20% will be used for promotional and marketing expenditure. This project is a non-profit making and artist led.

Registration fee of £100 - refundable with termination of agreement with the gallery. The contract initially will be for a minimum of 6 months and thereafter valid until either party gives one months notice.

Artists (twenty-one) to steward gallery - one day in every three weeks.

There will be a turnaround and rehanging of each artist's work every 6 weeks. Every three weeks a succession of artists can avail themselves of the Featured Artist area which allows them extra space and publicity.

Each artist will be responsible for insuring their own work. Public Liability Insurance will be covered by the gallery.

Input of skills - e.g. admin., public relations, marketing/publicity, maintenance, human resources, organisational, website and graphic design, computer literacy, general dog's body etc. etc. Each artist is expected to play an active part in a 'jobbing' team and take a share in the work that is involved in running an artist led co-operative gallery.

Download pdfs of Letter to artists and Basic Criteria