Beyond the Mainstream

Beyond The Mainstream is YVAN's bi-monthly artist social gathering led by Michael Barnes-Wynters sharing alternative ways to plug into a sea of creativity whilst giving opportunities to get involved in future collaborative projects and publications.

This is a free drop in event for artists and arts workers to make connections, friendships, share resources, find peer support and find out what's going on in the sector.

About the Hosts
Robert Ruppert – Custodian of The Old Lifeboat Station

"Around 10 years ago I moved to Bridlington from Scotland. I am originally from Germany where I trained to be a chef. I walked past the Lifeboat Station as a newcomer to Bridlington and was struck by the amazing building and the important role it played in life on the coast.
Many years, a few jobs and four children later the chance arose to put a bid in to buy the Old Lifeboat Station. It has always been my aim to respect what it has been, recognising what an important place it holds in the Bridlington history while within that, creating a local food palace. My ambition is to celebrate local seafood, support its local creative community by sharing this space and offering an interesting and vibrant environment to enjoy in the town I call home.
Michael Barnes-Wynters is our resident artist and collaborator who will be stepping into 2025 with us as we develop our future creative programme where food, visual arts, spoken word and music sing harmoniously."

All attendees will take away copies of our uKUNST > Location of Hope magazine edition and also Black Artisans Project publication provided by Creative Lancashire's Council's Ed Matthews who is a regular Beyond attendee

Organisations who will be present include Humber Street Gallery, Crescent Arts, HARI (Hull Artists Research Initiative) and Freedom Festival.

Food and Drink
Vegan/vegetarian and gluten free options will be available to purchase from food vendors eg. Samphire bhajis + Local seafood
Variety of Teas, coffees and chilled elderflower water refreshments will be provided

Accessibility
The Old Lifeboat Station is a fully accessible street level creative space with food at its heart. Wheelchair accessible with accessible, gender neutral toilet. There will be places to sit on either chairs or benches. Wi-fi is currently unavailable on site.

We operate a Safer spaces agreement during all meetings and events:.
If you would like to make us aware of any access needs or have any questions please email [email protected] or complete this

How to get there?
Trains to Bridlington Station are hourly.

The Old Lifeboat Station is directly opposite Bridlington Spa. It is a 10 minute walk from the train station.
There are local taxis parked outside the station which will cost approximately £5

Parking - Thorpe Mews Car park and Langsdale Wharf car park are near by. Langsdale Wharf is wheelchair accessible and has Blue Badge parking spaces.

We have a small travel bursary available for those who can't afford to attend otherwise, please email [email protected] if you would like to request this.

About YVAN
YVAN is an infrastructure body for the visual arts in Yorkshire and the Humber. We are founded on the creative vision of individual artists and arts organisations. We prioritise individual practitioners, artists networks, small-scale initiatives and the artist-led.
YVAN are one of nine regions that make up Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) England who are part of a national alliance of visual arts networks from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Host or Publisher Yorkshire and Humber Visual Arts Network (YVAN)