Making It Out

Making It Out We work with people who have recently left prison or are at risk of ending up there.

Making it Out engages individuals in regular meaningful activities, including training and employment opportunities based around design, creative making and visual arts.

We're recruiting! Please see post for details and link in bio for full job spec. Appreciate sharing with anyone you thin...
05/06/2026

We're recruiting!

Please see post for details and link in bio for full job spec. Appreciate sharing with anyone you think may be interested.

Thanks 🙏🏼

Vanessa Lawrence’s Soft Machines drawings, created in response to the Brighton Festival public sculpture commission by I...
19/05/2026

Vanessa Lawrence’s Soft Machines drawings, created in response to the Brighton Festival public sculpture commission by Ivan Morison and Heather Peak, are now available for sale during the Artist Open Houses exhibition, 23, 24, 30, 31 May 2026, in support of Brighton charity Making It Out.

Created through live observation of the sculptures’ construction and installation on Hove Promenade, the five large-scale charcoal works capture the energy, labour and collective spirit behind the project. Lawrence developed a bespoke drawing medium using Sussex charcoal, local honey and Gum Arabic, responding directly to the organic materials used within the sculptures themselves.

Artist Ivan Morison partnered with Making It Out throughout the creation of Soft Machines, supporting the building and fabrication of the monumental public works.

As Ivan Morison writes:

“Working with Making It Out brings another layer of care and transformation to the work. These are new forms made by people who are also re-forming themselves.”
— Ivan Morison

Funds raised through sales of these works will support the ongoing work of Making It Out and their creative programmes for people rebuilding their lives after homelessness, addiction and prison.



MIO barns can be found via

Open House! Scroll on, scroll on ⬅️ ⬅️ ⬅️ ⬅️11-4pm | May 24th, 25th, 26th, 30th, 31st As part of the trail we are openi...
19/05/2026

Open House! Scroll on, scroll on ⬅️ ⬅️ ⬅️ ⬅️

11-4pm | May 24th, 25th, 26th, 30th, 31st

As part of the trail we are opening our barns again this weekend and next for anyone who would like to pop in and say hello, see some art and possibly buy something.

We have several artists that use our studios displaying their work, alongside some of the collaborative projects we've been working on over the past year and beyond.

Also for sale is a unique collection of work by created through first hand observation of us making the Soft Machine sculptures on Hove Seafront, an artwork by commissioned by .

See for address and how to find us. (A283, approx 2 miles after Steyning)

Access only really possible by car apart from the very adventurous. Lots of tea, coffee and biscuits when you do get to us.

Soft Machines, Hove Promenade Produced by our fantastic team alongside the formidable Ivan Morison of . It’s been a ple...
04/05/2026

Soft Machines, Hove Promenade

Produced by our fantastic team alongside the formidable Ivan Morison of . It’s been a pleasure to work with Ivan, in no doubt a ‘proper artist’ who was on site every day getting stuck in and bringing such confident creativity.

Our crew from MIO have been absolute heroes over the last two weeks and kept their calm, positivity and sense of humour in spite of a lot of sun, wind and near constant public gaze.

The sculptures are a comission. The festival have shown real courage in producing such a striking public work and a huge amount of trust in us to be able to produce it...Right on time!😉

Thanks also to for risk assessments and H&S oversight and plenty of encouragement.

These images all taken by the brilliant . Thanks :)

04/05/2026

Soft Machines, Hove Promenade

Produced by our fantastic team alongside the formidable Ivan Morison of . It’s been a pleasure to work with Ivan, in no doubt a 'proper artist' who was on site every day getting stuck in and bringing such confident creativity.

Our crew from MIO have been absolute heroes over the last two weeks and kept their calm, positivity and sense of humour in spite of a lot of sun, wind and near constant public gaze.

The sculptures are a comission. The festival have shown real courage in producing such a striking public work and a huge amount of trust in us to be able to produce it...Right on time!😉

Thanks also to for risk assessments and H&S oversight and plenty of encouragement.

Work in progress…with on Hove Prom. Opens Friday. 🌾
27/04/2026

Work in progress…with on Hove Prom.

Opens Friday. 🌾

Gathering Heather on Iping Common. As part of the Soft Machines artworks for we recently spent 3 days gathering heather...
16/04/2026

Gathering Heather on Iping Common.

As part of the Soft Machines artworks for we recently spent 3 days gathering heather in a remote part of West Sussex.

Heather is one of the materials used within the structure of the arable giants that are the Soft Machines, alongside hay and straw. All of which are sourced locally around Sussex.

Heather has been growing in Sussex for centuries and used to be much more common, now existing is distinct islands. The now manage these islands and were incredibly friendly and helpful at our request to come and pick some. We came away with approx 30 bulk bags worth.

The commons are well worth a visit with a unique but declining habitat...And the wildlife trust are well worth supporting.

As one door closes…Today we say farewell to Jay. He’s been an absolute stalwart the last 6 years helping so many of our ...
31/03/2026

As one door closes…

Today we say farewell to Jay. He’s been an absolute stalwart the last 6 years helping so many of our participants settle in and learn new skills at MIO. He leaves for a great new opportunity and we’re really pleased it’s such a positive move for him.

This door was one the last job he completed with us alongside a few helpers as always. The quality of the renovation very typical of Jay’s attention to detail and passion for heritage buildings. This is over at .brighton.trust Moulsecoomb Place where we continue to revive the stunning Manor House.

Good luck mate.

Quite surreal to be at the V&A to see our chair making collaboration with & on stage as part of their ‘make good’ sym...
11/03/2026

Quite surreal to be at the V&A to see our chair making collaboration with & on stage as part of their ‘make good’ symposium.

Huge thanks to Nick for his ongoing championing of our work. Also inspiring and climate positive talks from .powlesland and of .

Humbling stuff!

Been having a really crate time in the workshop this week. 😬🙄😔A little more straightforward than chair making but keepin...
24/09/2025

Been having a really crate time in the workshop this week. 😬🙄😔

A little more straightforward than chair making but keeping us honest nonetheless.

Really pleased to be working with , another of Brighton’s institutions.

Address

Portside Studios
Brighton And Hove
BN411LB

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm

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