Roadmap

23-25 May 2025

old northam road, Southampton

‘Roadmap’ explores pathways towards an exciting creative future through the theme of mapping. This exhibition features artworks made by ZEST artists, local members of the community and artists from ZEST’s broader network, ZING.

Artworks and creative interventions are exhibited in the Alfred Arcade, Alfred Arms, the Hidden Wardrobe, and outdoors along Old Northam Road as well as in Niche Gallery at ZEST’s studios in the old town. Old Northam Road is the engine of ‘Roadmap’, a hub where local people and artists can come together to envision the exciting future of the city.

‘Roadmap’ is the culmination of an 18 month-long project by ZEST Collective about the future of artists in Southampton and creativity locally. The project has also been an opportunity for ZEST to look to our own future, spending dedicated time building organisational resilience, growing ZING, and strengthening relationships with local communities and partners.

ZEST Co-Directors Ellen Gillett and Net Warner giving speech at Roadmap opening. Photographer: Alice Louisa

Artists and collaborators

ZEST Roadmap Commissions

As part of the ‘Roadmap’ project, ZEST commissioned 7 artists to respond to themes of mapping; the future of Old Northam Road; and the place of artists in the City. 6 of the artists created artworks that were exhibited during the Roadmap exhibition weekend. The works ranged from intricate felt creatures, to expertly hand crafted glass installations and embroidered maps.
The 7th artist will be designing and creating a publication for Roadmap, which will be completed later this year.
Lucie Smith
Stephanie Parker
Bryn Lloyd
Jennifer Mon
Jenny Andrews
James Hewins
Poppy Ash

ZEST Artworks

ZEST artists responded to themes surrounding the ‘Roadmap’ project to create new artworks to be displayed across the Roadmap showcase.
Some of the artists collaborated to co-create artworks that intertwined their creative practices.
Alice Louisa and Sophie Rawlingson
Ellen Gillett and Kane Applegate
Net Warner
J Pyrite
Poppy Ash
Tom Stewart
Kristina Marosiova
Rabia Raja
Robin Price
Sharlott Wardner

Mutual Mentorships

‘Mutual Mentorships’ is a ZEST Collective scheme where pairs of artists from ZEST and ZING were paid to spend a day together however they liked, learning from each other's practices and exploring new ideas.
Each pair co-created an artwork that was displayed at the Roadmap showcase. The artworks ranged from films to comics, to large-scale photographic maps and more.
Amy Scott-Pillow and Will Woods
Lucie Smith and Lewis Ford
Alice Louisa and J Walters
Anna Marris and Edgar Lushaju
Sharlott Wardner and Jilly Evans
Sarah Filmer and James Hunter
Alex Sutherland and Sasha Groma

Image Gallery

Check out our image gallery below to see the artworks featured in Roadmap captured by ZEST Photographer, Alice Louisa.

ZING Artworks

For ‘Roadmap’, ZING artists were invited to contribute poster artworks which can be found pasted on Old Northam Road’s hoardings.
ZING (ZEST Inclusive Networking Group) is a local network of over 80 artists supported by ZEST that meet regularly for skill sharing workshops, social events and more.
Joy McKay
Rachel Jones
Luke Richards
James Frew

Community artworks

Working with local communities has been a hugely important part of our Roadmap project. Throughout, ZEST have been able to facilitate a range of wonderful and highly creative activities at lots of different community-focused events happening across Southampton. All the workshops were free for the public to enjoy, learn new skills and experiment artistically with guidance from our artists.
Co-creations from our workshops at Love Where You Live, BBAM Festival, Ropewalk Community Garden Autumn Festival, and Ropewalk Community Garden workshop were exhibited at the Roadmap showcase.
The artworks exhibited were created by workshop participants who took part in one of our free, creative activities at these events and venues:
‘Playscapes’ at ‘Love Where You Live’, St Mary’s Leisure Centre
‘Treasure Chimes’ at Ropewalk Community Garden
Block printing at BBAM Festival
Block printing at Ropewalk Community Garden’s ‘Autumn Festival’