ArtUp is our second Gladstone Creative in Residence, an initiative that supports local creatives to showcase their talent, experiment, innovate, and connect with the local community— with the support of 200m² of rent-free retail space and promotional support through The Gladstone and FB IDEAs networks. 

Founded by artists Jade Armstrong and Kerrin Samuel, ArtUp is an emerging art ecosystem that connects emerging artists with collectors, buyers, businesses and audiences.

As their first public facing initiative, “Bloom” will transform the retail space on the ground floor of The Gladstone into a flora-themed exhibition and pop-up retail space. The exhibition feature beloved local artist Anna Blatman, alongside local Melbourne and ex-RMIT emerging artists including Tina Burges, Maya Grkow, Kerrin Samuel and Jade Armstrong. It will also be supported by a public program of workshops, artist talks, community events and participatory activities exploring plants, roots, growth, ageing and blooming across contemporary art and design.

ArtUp was created in response to two key gaps that Jade Armstrong and Kerrin Samuel have experienced in their own practise within the visual arts sector: limited visibility and sustainable career pathways for emerging artists, and a lack of clear, trusted guidance for people interested in buying emerging art. In particular, they are focused on supporting emerging artists pushing creative boundaries and innovating in their field, through incorporating technology, material experimentation and novel design ideas.

From July to September, this residency at The Gladstone will enable the team to launch and test the ArtUp concept and connect with audiences.  The exhibition will facilitate an established and well-known artist to work alongside emerging artists, creating a bridge between established practice and new creative voices.