LONDON, UK – An exhibition, called Collection 2019, by a group of artists who have experienced homelessness, opens in the Old Diorama Arts Centre, London on 11 November. The group are mentored by Geraldine Crimmins on how to survive and flourish in the competitive London art world, from what art courses to take, to how to sell their art and manage exhibitions.
The mentoring group programme developed by Crimmins provides access to art courses and art materials, trips to the Royal Academy to visit exhibitions and to participate in their art courses run by their art teachers. Crimmins provides ono on one support on the artists individual needs.
As a self-employed artist, Geraldine carries out consultancy work for Cafe Art, a social enterprise that aims to empower people affected by homelessness by supporting their art, photography and entrepreneurship.
Interviewed by the BBC this week, Geraldine said: “Someone once asked me what my dream would be and I said working with marginalised people and being an artist, [which has] ended up coming around. It’s been amazing.”
The artists exhibiting are: John Sheehy, JP Desouza, Dee Allison, Tom Herald, Shelley, Mary Vallely Mateus, Saffron Saidi, Alissa Christie, Aaron Little, Mark Jennings, Michael Crosswaite, Floyd Pickett, Leo Rabelo, David Tovey and Geraldine Crimmins.
Paul Ryan from Cafe Art said: “We are really happy to see that Geraldine Crimmins’ idea of developing a mentoring group has been such a success beyond our expectations. Cafe Art was set up to empower people affected by homelessness and we have seen huge changes in the artists involved in this programme. We can’t wait to see the exhibition up and encourage everyone to visit it.”
11-24 November 2019. Opening event 13 November 5-7pm.
Old Diorama Arts Centre Gallery, 201 Drummond Street, London NW1 3FE
