Communities flourish when creativity is inclusive and collaborative

Aycan Erinsel Özistek

I am an interior and landscape architect, scenographer and founder of Gallery Grounds CIC. I studied at Istanbul Technical University, completing a double major in Interior Architecture and Landscape Architecture, later earning a Master of Arts from the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham.

My career spans award-winning commercial, hospitality and cultural projects, including Michelin-starred restaurants and hybrid spaces across London and the South East.

My practice explores the meeting point between interior and exterior space – what I call ‘invisible thresholds’ – and draws heavily on scenography and visual storytelling, influenced by my early experience in film and TV set design.

Based in Southampton, I founded Gallery Grounds CIC in response to two key observations: that underrepresented and emerging artists often lack access to space and visibility, and that communities flourish when creativity is inclusive and collaborative.

I wanted to create the kind of space I was looking for myself – somewhere people could show up fully, be seen and heard, and connect through creativity. A space where having an unfamiliar name or background wasn’t a barrier, but a contribution to the richness of the conversation. My long-term goal is to create sustainable models for independent, community-driven galleries to thrive – starting with Gallery Grounds.

Gallery Grounds is a not-for-profit gallery and creative hub offering free open calls, exhibitions and workshops that connect diverse groups across art, design and social engagement. With a focus on supporting neurodivergent individuals, students, early-career artists and isolated communities, the gallery is rooted in the belief that creativity drives connection and change.

At Gallery Grounds, our three core values, collaboration, creativity and cultural exchange, are the foundation of everything we do. We don’t see the gallery as just a place to exhibit work, but as a living space where people can come together and create something bigger than themselves.

Collaboration means working not only with artists, but also with local schools, care homes, community groups and creatives from outside the traditional art world. We design our programmes to be shaped with people, not just for them. Creativity, in this context, isn’t just about producing beautiful things – it’s about problem-solving, self-expression, storytelling and connection.

As someone who came to Southampton from elsewhere, I deeply value what happens when different cultures, disciplines and generations meet. The gallery becomes a kind of shared language, one that doesn’t require you to already belong to a certain circle in order to participate.

What sets us apart is our commitment to building a model that supports itself; not relying solely on grants or large budgets, but generating income through thoughtful programming, partnerships and community-focused hospitality.

We chose our city-centre location very intentionally. It allows us to stay open and visible to both local residents and visitors, inviting people from all walks of life to step in, explore and engage. By being in a central, walkable area, we’re not just showing art – we’re creating an active space for dialogue, collaboration, and exchange that extends beyond the gallery walls.

We engage in ongoing conversations with the artists we work with about how to make the space viable while staying true to our values of access and inclusion. As a very small, multi-ability team, we don’t require big budgets to keep the space open. What we really need are local patrons and volunteers who share our vision and can help sustain the gallery through their support, whether by attending events, spreading the word or contributing their time and skills.

By blending art with revenue-generating activities such as events, workshops, a coffee and concept retail bar, and partnerships with local and international organisations, we strive to create a vibrant, resilient hub for all.

We showcase a wide variety of art styles, media and artists, and we have a permanent collection of modern works by Turkish artists, sculptors and ceramicists. Visitors are welcome to purchase art from Gallery Grounds. We offer plans which allow art lovers to pay for their artworks in affordable instalments. If you’re thinking about starting or growing your art collection, our team is here to guide and support you.

We also hold special events including private viewings, artist talks and meet-the-artist sessions. This autumn we have an exhibition called Restless, about burnout and stillness, alongside Autumn: Tones of Fall. We also host in-house art fairs for Halloween and Christmas. You can stay up to date on all this and more through our website, gallerygrounds.com, and social media channels.