A new built-for-purpose space for artists with disability is coming to town in Melbourne. The North Preston Lifesaving Club is ‘a gift that keeps on giving’, co-founder Billie Parsons tells ArtsHub. Built on a vision shared by Parsons and fellow artist Jeremy Hawkes, the North Preston Lifesaving Club was born out of the need to provide queer and disabled artists with accessible and affordable spaces where they can experiment and connect with community.
Hawkes says: ‘Accessibility these days is starting to mean accessibility for all sorts of people, for all sorts of reasons. Disability has a history in art and culture of being an “issue” – things have [improved], but we’ve still got a long way to go. So the name of the place is also trying to dismantle those cool catchphrases that only focus on the “ability” part.’
