Collaboration and Community
BASE is a space built on connections, shared ideas and conversations. It’s a place for artists to meet, collaborate, exchange perspectives and spark new possibilities. We value authenticity and transparency, creating a space that is accessible and inclusive which supports a diverse range of voices and offers opportunities for learning and growth.
Independence and Autonomy
We want to establish a ‘base’ that artists can rely on - a space where they are free to explore their practice on their own terms. We believe every artist needs a base: a starting point for ideas, a place to regroup and connect. BASE is about providing the autonomy to grow, experiment, take risks, restart and refuel.
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BASE is a new, artist-led initiative by Oliver Ventress and Madara Vimba, both University of Lincoln Fine Art graduates who recognised a gap in the city for available artist studios and a flexible, contemporary gallery space. We believe that every artist needs a 'base' - a grounding point where new ideas can form, where artists and makers can feel anchored but are free to explore as they expand their reach locally and beyond.
the vision
Designed as a gallery and shared studio space, BASE will offer essential facilities and resources - such as workbenches for sculpture, printmaking equipment and darkrooms - that are typically inaccessible outside higher education institutions. BASE will provide a supportive, collaborative environment for artists, recent graduates, interdisciplinary creatives, the community and the public. BASE will serve as a launching point where artists can gain valuable skills in co-management, experiment with new work, and participate in a public programme showcasing local, regional and national talent.
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our values
Creative Flexibility
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BASE doesn’t limit or define anyone. It’s a space open to all disciplines and approaches, encouraging artists to be unapologetically themselves and push boundaries without hesitation. BASE is a platform for experimental, interdisciplinary or unconventional artistic practices that may not fit within traditional or commercial galleries.
about us
BASE is fully artist-led and currently operates on a dual co-leadership model, with Madara Vimba leading on programming and curation and Oliver Ventress leading on technical and operations.
madara vimba
Madara Vimba is a Lincoln-based artist and marketer with a developing curational practice. She is currently the Marketing Manager at UK New Artists. Madara has worked with various organisations and festivals across Lincolnshire such as The Lincoln Museum & Usher Gallery, Threshold Studios & Frequency Festival, SO Festival and Transported. Madara holds a BA (Hons) in Fine Art and MA Fine Art from the University of Lincoln.
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Her recent curatorial projects include; Old Walls, New Art (2024) and the Weekend Celebration of Creativity New Artist Collective #2 and Creative Citizens exhibition as part of the UK New Artists People, Place and Practice Programme in Derby, The MashUP’s inaugural High Street Happening (2023) and Visitant Queens (2023), which showcased Two Queens members’ artwork at Project Space Plus (University of Lincoln). As an artist, Madara has co-produced several multidisciplinary performances, one of which was with the Lincoln Company and took place at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2019.
oliver ventress
Oliver Ventress is a visual artist and art technician. He has worked as a freelance gallery technician since 2018 and for the last three years he has co-run General Practice, a non-profit, DIY project space and artist studios in Lincoln. He is currently the Fine Art and Exhibition Technician for the University of Lincoln, supporting students with creative projects, maintaining the art studios and installing exhibitions.
Oliver graduated with a BA in Fine Art from the University of Lincoln in 2017 and went on to complete an MA in the following years. Since graduating he has exhibited across the country, notably at APT Studios, London (2025), BACKLIT Gallery, Nottingham (2024), The Auxiliary, Middlesbrough (2023) and Lincoln Art Centre (2023). He was one of 18 nationally selected artists in the UK New Artist Collective 2022, working with UK New Artists and SO Festival.