Mid-Street Lab is a vibrant hub of creativity on St George’s Road in Kemptown, Brighton. Renowned for its eclectic collection of contemporary art elevating emerging local artists, the gallery / studio showroom is fast becoming a cornerstone of the local art scene. We had the pleasure of speaking with its founder Jean Jules Watcher aka JJ, who shared his story with us from banker to art space owner, insights into his vision, inspirations behind their carefully curated exhibitions, and the role of art in fostering community engagement and wellbeing. Read on as we delve into the dynamic world of Mid-Street Lab and explore how it shapes and inspires the artistic landscape around of the city.
Brighton prides itself on being creative. So why does it need Mid Street Lab?
Brighton loves its image as a progressive, artistic city, but in reality, it often resists change. We celebrate creativity and diversity with only just 10% of gallery artists coming from working-class backgrounds. There is a gap between Brighton’s artistic reputation and real accessibility. The city is full of talent, but many feel excluded. A more inclusive art scene would unlock fresh perspectives and a richer cultural future.
That is what Mid Street Lab stands for. We’re not an institution dictating what’s worth seeing. We’re a space where art is made, not just displayed. It’s participatory, not passive. If you’ve ever felt like galleries weren’t for you, then Mid Street Lab is.
Mid Street Lab isn’t a traditional gallery. What makes it different?
Well first, we don’t sell art—at least, not in the conventional way. We’re a community-powered lab, not a commercial gallery. That means we don’t curate based on market trends or what will sell—we select works that spark and elevate the current debates. Secondly, there are no such things as passive spectators. In most galleries, the visitor looks at art from a distance. Here, we invite participation, interaction, response, and evolution. Finally, no barriers to entry. Art isn’t just about what’s on the walls—it’s about who gets to be in the room. Art should belong to everyone. Everybody deserves art especially if you think you don’t, and our space ensures that everyone is part of the creative process.
You transitioned from a successful finance career to running an art space. What led to that shift?
I didn’t choose this—I had to! Turning 40 in Jan 2020, I watched our beliefs in peace, progress and trust unravel. Covid shook our confidence and George Floyd’s televised murder on May 25, forced the world to confront its humanity. Then, something powerful happened in Brighton. Thousands stood together for Black Lives Matter, a moment of solidarity that felt like a collective embrace. As a person of colour, I heard the city say: “We see you. This is not okay. You’ll be fine.” Brighton’s heart and commitment to anti-racism were and still is undeniable…
But even with this collective unity, I realized something clear: racism isn’t just a flaw—it’s a feature of the free market. It shapes how we interact, assign value, and consume art. The art world mirrors this system, often without question. But art is not—should not be—just a market.
The question is about family, inspiration, motivation and energy that drive Mid Street Lab?
More personally, my background is beautifully complex—Afro-Caribbean with Nigerian and Semitic roots, French by nationality. My partner of 20 years is Belgian with Nordic heritage and we are raising two polyglot lovely little girls in East Kemptown Village.
As a father, my daughters constantly reshape my perspective. One of them asked me, “Why do artists swear so much?” She counted nine expletives in a single exhibition. It got me thinking—has art become more about provocation than conversation? Or is it simply echoing our collective frustration?
This is not just about swearing—it’s about rage as an aesthetic currency. Today, anger sells, especially in the art world. Dr. Jane Savage, our Spring Show co-curator, pointed out that universities and students are drawn to rage—it’s seen as intellectually and culturally powerful.
But my question is: Is anger alone enough? Rage is valid, but transformation is what truly matters. Art should move beyond reaction—it should create new possibilities.
At Mid Street Lab, we’re building something different. Not another brand-driven model, but an Altruistic Creative Community where high quality art and contemporary fine art are accessible, made by artists, alive and living locally, meaningful and essential—an oasis where culture belongs to everyone. That’s my happy place. And it can be yours, too
The high street is struggling. Can art really help revive it?
Absolutely. Because retail is failing, and people don’t need more places to buy things—they need places to belong. That’s what Mid Street Lab is about. Art is not just entertainment. Entertainment is the art of distraction. But true art is the art of connection. As urbanist Jane Jacobs said, “New ideas must use old buildings.” That’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re proving that empty storefronts don’t have to stay empty. Instead of another chain café or luxury flat development, why not transform these spaces into community-driven creative hubs? Places that don’t just take from the city but give back to it. I leave this here… (lol)
You talk about art as a form of social prescribing. What do you mean by that?
Social prescribing is the idea that engagement with culture and creativity can improve well-being—as much as medication or therapy. Governments are starting to recognize it, but indigenous cultures have always understood it. Art heals. Art connects. Art rebuilds. At Mid Street Lab, we’re not just putting on exhibitions. We’re creating a model—where art isn’t separate from everyday life, but an essential part of it.
What’s next for Mid Street Lab?
We’re growing.
- More exhibitions, private views, music and lights shows, all leading up to our first Altruistic Art Biennale here in Brighton celebrating Altruistic Art, an Art with purpose, to learn, heal and empower
- A magazine to document the movement.
- Training programs to empower artists and creative thinkers to express, develop and promote their art practices, self-awareness, self-care, self-love and self-esteeme, the possibility are endless, watch that space
- Stronger partnerships with health care and public institutions to promote local talents and drive community mental health and wellbeing through positive imagery
There’s a big difference between art and the art world. The art world is about exclusivity—who gets seen, who gets funded. Art itself is for everyone. That’s what we’re fighting for.
Final thoughts?
We need to rethink what success in the arts really means. Why does “making it” in the art world rarely mean making a difference? If Brighton, with all its creative energy, struggles to support truly democratic art spaces, what does that say about the rest of the country? The answer isn’t another retail revival plan. It isn’t more booz or luxury flats. It’s about culture, connection, and creativity. The question is: Are we ready to embrace it?
Photos: Gilly Clarkson Photography
