Second Lives, an exhibition platform celebrating artists who have developed their practice alongside other careers, entered a new chapter with a gathering at Burgh House. Hosted by founder Paula Lent, the event brought together artists, curators, and leaders to celebrate a partnership with City Lit.
The breakfast brought together a diverse community of creatives, curators and cultural leaders to reflect on the value of lifelong learning and artistic reinvention. Contributions from Paula Lent, curator and critic Jane Neal, and Mark Malcomson CBE, CEO and Principal of City Lit, highlighted the personal and professional significance of pursuing new ambitions at any stage of life.
Second Lives was founded to celebrate artists whose creative practices have been shaped by previous careers and life experience. Rather than treating professional change as a break from the past, the platform focuses on how earlier skills, knowledge and perspectives can actively inform artistic work.
That idea was already visible in the room. Before any speeches began, the works on display made the case clearly. One painting, created by a former chef, stood as a reminder that creative practice can begin at any point and still be pursued with seriousness and intent.
The project also seeks to provide meaningful visibility for these practitioners through exhibitions, curatorial support and access to wider art world networks. By creating opportunities to engage with collectors, critics and the broader cultural sector, Second Lives challenges assumptions about who becomes an artist and when that process begins.
Throughout the morning, artists including Marice Cumber, Emma Richardson, Peter Salmi, Cathy Hayes and Mathieu Chaze shared their experiences. While each trajectory was distinct, a shared thread emerged: the commitment to building a sustained creative practice beyond an earlier profession.
At the heart of the gathering was the announcement of a new collaboration with City Lit. The institution has spent more than a century providing adult learners with opportunities to develop new skills, pursue new interests and realise long-held ambitions. Its focus on accessible, high-quality education aligns closely with Second Lives’ emphasis on lifelong learning and creative possibility.
The partnership will culminate in an exhibition at City Lit this November. Featuring eight artists, including six Second Lives artists and two City Lit rising stars, the exhibition will bring together diverse practices under a single curatorial framework.
