As part of a Your Library Story creative programme, supported by Arts Council England Project Funding, at Darlington Library, Darlo born Poet, Performer and Picture-Maker Lizzie Lovejoy has encouraged people to explore their creativity and to engage in conversation around days gone by, lives today and adventures to come. These have informed the fantastic Now, Then exhibition that’s on display in the Art Gallery at Darlington Library until Thursday 2nd May 2024 during standard Darlington Library opening times, Monday to Saturday. Now, Then contains Lizzie’s pictures alongside individual images from five different artists who responded to Lizzie’s Darlo Draws call out. If you pop into the Art Gallery during Now, Then you can explore the sketches, one of which is shown above, that Lizzie made to inform this exhibition.
Lizzie led Darlo Draws drop in days, encouraging people of all ages visiting Darlington Library and in other locations within the town, to get involved and enjoy drawing as part of this project. A BIG THANKYOU to Lizzie and everyone who got involved, and took up a felt tip, pencil, pen or sticker and made their mark.
While cowboy movies aren’t to everybody’s taste, thanks for those who were quick on the draw.
We’d welcome your comments on Now, Then in the Visitor Comments book in the Art Gallery, a selection of comments to date is shown below:
- Excellent – Heritage is important for us all and generations to come.
- Love the variety of images and descriptions. Enjoyed looking through both the art booklets + brochures. 😊.
- Very good, inspiring.
- As somebody who was born in the North and now resides in the South, it is such a pleasure to see Darlington have its own ‘pretentiousness’. Well curated exhibition pieces that reveal a story and a journey – brilliant.
- Loved the Art and associated captions. Striking! It’s a really good exhibition.
- I like the Art because it’s nice and relaxing.
- I like the art because I feel they all have a backstory.
- Wunderbar! Thank you so much for these impressions of your wonderful town!
- Darlington is a hidden gem of a town and this absolutely superb exhibition only serves to underline the statement. Bravo Lizzie Lovejoy and all who helped put the artwork on the walls for the townsfolk and visitors alike to see & enjoy.
- Thank you and I will treasure the exhibition brochure. I am Darlington born and bred and still love it and the Library!
- An excellent exhibition. Quite uplifting. I like the ‘Now, Then’ concept and how the artist draws on the past and links it to the present.
- I’ve just moved here and wonderful to see the Library being used to showcase artists work. Love it! Thankyou.
There are currently a small number of exhibition brochures (pictured above) containing Lizzie’s illustrations for Now, Then on the table in the Art Gallery. You’re welcome to take one of these home for free as a reminder of your visit if you get the chance to pop along before the exhibitions closes and if there are any left.
