City's first-ever learning disability arts festival

Portsmouth’s first-ever learning disability arts festival, Pivot Fest, ran from May 8 to 10 at Aspex Portsmouth, a visual arts charity in Gunwharf Quays. The festival celebrated the talents of 13 learning disabled artists, curated by This New Ground (TNG), an inclusive arts committee. Events included exhibitions, participatory workshops, and silent discos, all designed with accessibility in mind. The festival featured artwork from artists like Emma Stallard, whose pieces reflected her experiences of finding a safe creative space, and Orlando Richardson, whose work was inspired by the story of Ray, a man who spent over 20 years in a psychiatric hospital. Richardson’s flag bore the words ‘I Am A Portsmouth Thing,’ emphasizing a sense of belonging. Lucy Groenewoud, co-director of TNG, noted that many people with learning disabilities historically faced isolation due to limited social opportunities. The festival aimed to address this by sharing personal stories, such as the first learning disabled couple in Portsmouth who married through a dating agency. Groenewoud emphasized that the exhibition sought to raise awareness about the realities of living with a learning disability. Pivot Fest was part of Portsmouth’s broader cultural ambitions, including a 2025 bid to become the UK’s City of Culture by 2040. The event underscored the city’s commitment to fostering creativity and inclusion within its arts scene.