SEAS (Socially Engaged Art Salon) is a BIPOC & LGBTQ led organisation which operates a space for exhibitions, events and workshops. It also offers artists’ residencies. SEAS’ work concentrates on socially and politically engaged practices and themes, especially in relation to issues of social and racial justice, migration & refugees, disability and LGBTQ+ communities. Founded in 2016, SEAS has become a beacon for socially and politically engaged art in Brighton and south-East England. It is part of the Social Art Network and has links to local and national art organisations.
SEAS was founded by Dr Gil Mualem-Doron in a small house in the heart of Brighton – an 18th-century building intended for servants of the Royal Pavilion. SEAS’ unique model of home-gallery fulfilled a need for a dedicated space for socially engaged art and provided a homely and less regimented setting, that was welcoming for both artists and visitors. The success of SEAS allowed it to move into a much bigger space at the BMECP – (Black and Minority Ethnic Community Partnership) Centre, near Brighton train station and into a partnership with the Euro Mediterranean Resources Network. It is also the South-East meet up place for the Social Art Network.
Since 2016, SEAS has put on a successful programme of exhibitions, workshops and public events, showing works of more than 200 local and international artists. Commissioned by various organisations, SEAS has curated exhibitions for Brighton Pride, Black History Month and Refugee Week. It has also been participating regularly in the Brighton Photo Fringe, Brighton Festival, Brighton Fringe and Artists’ Open House. SEAS is also operating a unique programme of artist residencies and our door is always open to proposals from like-minded charities and organisations, curators, artists and artists’ collectives.
