About S.T.A.G

The Community Notice Board and 'The Art of Communication'

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The pink and blue colours of S.T.A.G can be spotted alongside Bedford Place high Street, Southampton. Squeezed between pavement and car park, S.T.A.G peeks its head above the railings as Southampton's tiniest art gallery. Its transformation from an unused notice board to an art gallery it is now offering artists and creatives a way of exploring their practice. 

The project came from the forming of BePoRa, (Bedford Place & Polygon's Residents Association) in 2022, with the aim of bringing new and vibrant projects in to the local community.  With the added support of Southampton City Council and The Safer Neighbourhood Grant.

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The History of The Notice Board and the communication between people can be traced back to ancient Rome where they were known as alba libellous. They were made with white washed wooden boards and used to post announcements such as elections and schedules of gladiatorial games.

In 12th century Britain records describe the notice board as the prime method in which the church communed with its people for the giving of announcements about births and deaths.  

From 17th century onward with improved literacy rates in the population, community notice boards became common place for the sharing of information, offering not only public announcements but also those individuals wishing to sell services or commodities.

Although the humble notice board remains a staple in most parishes around the country, as a way of communicating to the passer by who wishes to look, digital communication has inevitably become the go-to for up to date information and the connection of people.

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Of course S.T.A.G offers something different -a visual display of ideas and inventive endeavour in the tiniest of spaces. So here's to a new beginning! We hope that you may glance, pause, or be challenged as you pass by. 

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