For our exhibition for the ‘To begin’ brief, we are going to be exhibiting our work at Peckham levels. I personally have never been to Peckham so I haven’t heard of Peckham levels, however through researching the building, it would be a very interesting place to exhibit as it’s not a conventional gallery, it’s a community hub, with floors and rooms for activities, food and drink, meaning we’ll get more everyday people viewing our work but also we’re exhibiting in a place that links in a way to our projects.

When first visiting their website, the first quote I see is “Peckham levels exists to help creative and ambitious local people get their idea off the ground.” This is very bold, and I immediately know that it’s a community hub for local people, to host activities but also to help these individuals be creative and be themselves while helping them reach their goals in life. Another paragraph I saw was “Creative people need a place to work. Small businesses need a place to grow. Communities need places to come together. So this temporary project was created to provide affordable and inspiring space for independent businesses, artists and local entrepreneurs to work, grow, trade and learn. For the next 6 years we will be occupying the underused space inside the town centre carpark, building a new creative workshop and cultural destination that showcases its members and connects them with the world outside. This is a grassroots project and over the coming months and years, working with our members and other local people, the space will continue to evolve, change and develop. Come and get involved.” This really helps to explain who they are and what their aim is within the community, they aim to help as many people as possible. They can be a workplace for those who need it, individuals or new, small business’ and a safe space where members of the local community can come together. They provide affordable and inspiring spaces for independent business’, artists and entrepreneurs to work, grow, trade and learn. Their aim is to increase local employment, improve the economy and create new opportunities for education and inspiration. I think this is a really important point because instead of just hosting events, they encourage individuals and groups to come together and have confidence in their business or future ideas, which, when alone, can seem daunting or as if they may feel, so it gives them a chance to actually try and live their dream.

The idea for Peckham levels came about through the Southwark council who asked the community to propose a new use for the empty interior levels of the underused multi-storey carpark in the heart of Peckham. The council highlighted the potential the space had to support employment and the arts, and they asked members of the community for ideas for temporary projects that could take up residence in the car park for 5 years. After receiving many ideas, Peckham levels was selected as the winning bid in 2015, and doors opened for the first time in December 2017. There are a lot of floors to Peckham levels that cater to different activities and areas of work. Level 1 and 2 is home to artists and creative makers, with a variety of rooms to cater to this, there is a ceramics and kiln room, studios, a screen print studio and a makers room. Levels 3 and 4 has a variety of shared and private work spaces for creators focused on design, media and music. There is a co-working space, offices, a 3D printing studio, a visual arts and design studio and a music studio. Levels 5 and 6 is the heart of Peckham levels, open every day for anyone to drink, eat, play, learn and explore. There is a public seating/ auditorium area, a kids play area, a cafe/ food and drink area, a hair salon, a live music event space and a yoga studio. Overall, Peckham levels has some really great spaces for the community that caters for every person, and every reason for their visit, whether it’s work, or for recreation.

Peckham levels 1 and 2 ^

Peckham levels 3 and 4 ^

Peckham levels 5 and 6 ^

In a few weeks, before the exhibition in December, our photography class plans to do a reccie to Peckham levels so we can see the space in person and so our groups can decide which area is the most suitable for our project to be displayed. I know some of our options include hanging work in the cafe/ bar area, the ramps, the stairwells, and a few other areas throughout. I think Peckham levels is going to be a really amazing place to exhibit because it’s similar to all our given areas, but also the sense of community there links to quite a few of our project ideas, so instead of being in a gallery, it’s in a place that matters to a community and is a place where the community can come together. On the reccie I’ll be able to take my own photographs of Peckham levels, explore the space and also get a sense of the community there.