Mixed Palette art group searching for new home in Rockingham

Rockingham community art group Mixed Palette is on the hunt for a new place to call home.

The all-abilities group emphasises inclusivity and social interaction while encouraging up-and-coming artists.

However, the group has had to move home eight times in 14 years.

Chairwoman Jackie Wickham said they were now hunting for a permanent home that could inspire future members.

“We’re a family,” she said.

“We want a space that can have continued use so we can have it set up to inspire and encourage a productive space.”

The space would need to be 200sqm, have disability access and toilets and a sink area with “peppercorn rent”.

“For a lot of our artists, this is the focus of their week because they don’t go anywhere and they don’t have other areas where they can get out and express themselves,” Ms Wickham said.

“We all benefit from each other and it’s a group where people can really flourish.”

The group started in 2008 for people with intellectual disabilities but was later opened to the whole community.

“Although our core artists have intellectual disabilities, they said they didn’t want it to be solely for people with intellectual disabilities,” Ms Wickham said.

“They wanted it to be a community group.”

Many of their artists have gone on to have solo exhibitions around Perth and even interstate.

The group can be reached via their Facebook page facebook.com/mixedpaletteinc.