An upcoming exhibition in Plymouth is turning the spotlight on the creative process itself, specifically the parts that are usually hidden from public view.
Titled Unfinished Ideas, the event is a collaboration between local initiative Coffee and Comics and community arts venue Leadworks CIC. The exhibition invites artists, illustrators, and visual storytellers to submit works that were never completed with scraps of world-building, half-drawn pages, character sketches, and fragments of scripts. The aim is to celebrate the often unseen and unpolished parts of creative practice.
The organisers describe the show as a celebration of “what gets left behind” and the ideas that might never reach a final form but still carry value. It’s a concept that may resonate widely among creative professionals and hobbyists alike, particularly those who recognise that not every project reaches the finish line.
Open to submissions until 18 July, the exhibition will feature up to three pieces per contributor, selected for display in a curated gallery at Leadworks in Stonehouse. There’s no fee to take part, and works will be credited and promoted, though they are expected to be returned to artists following the event.
This emphasis on process rather than product offers a refreshing counterpoint to more conventional art shows, providing a platform for work that is rarely seen and often overlooked.
Plymouth – A budding city of creativity
The city’s Creative Industries Plan, adopted in 2025, outlines a vision for growth, investment, and job creation within the sector. The plan identifies opportunities to establish creative clusters across the city, fostering collaboration and innovation among artists and cultural organisations.
According to the plan, over 9,000 people work in creative industries and creative jobs in Plymouth, including approximately 2,700 freelancers. However, the creative industries account for only 2.1% of employment in Plymouth, compared to 4.4% across Great Britain.
If Plymouth’s share of creative industries jobs rose to match the South West average, it could create 1,640 new jobs and generate an additional £90–126 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) per year for the city.
The Creative Industries PDF can be viewed in full HERE
By showcasing unfinished works, Unfinished Ideas at Leadworks CIC hopes to offer insight into the creative journey and underscore the value of artistic exploration.
Deadline for submissions: 18th July 2025
Email: coffeeandcomicsplym@gmail.com
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