A new exhibition by artist Leanne Jackson, intriguingly titled All that’s not shared will be lost, will be on display in the gallery at Darlington Library during standard opening times (except where events scheduled) from Saturday 4th November and Wednesday 13th December 2023. Alongside many artists and groups that were first programmed to exhibit in Darlington Library in 2020, Leanne has had to wait for several years to see their exhibitions go on public display in the recently reopened and beautifully restored space.

The exhibition shares work Leanne has produced over three years alongside a small number of works they’ve kindly selected from Darlington Borough Art Collection for display alongside their exhibition. Leanne employ techniques, including collage, to explore connections between imagery, creativity and memory.

To me this work seems serene, beguiling, intriguing and dynamic and to retain currency whilst incorporating material drawn from the past and All that’s not shared will be lost feels at home at a time when there’s so much visual information in that space between seeing and understanding, and also since as time passes, some things seem little changed.

Artists Statement: Leanne Jackson

I’ve never been particularly interested in big historical events. I am, however, interested in what an advert for Fairy looked like in 1942 or reading a critic’s review for The Everly Brothers’ debut record. My collection of magazines, books, knitting patterns and discarded photos from the 1930s-1960s provide an everyday window to another world, one that is just out of reach and one that I’ve been fascinated with from childhood.

I use as many clippings from my collection as I can in my work, repurposing images that would otherwise be lost, never to be seen again. Those magazines I can’t bare to cut are scanned and either printed or manipulated digitally, blending together the old with the new.

This exhibition pulls together 3 years of work. Exploring themes ranging from femininity, and relationships to loneliness and ageing.

Everything seems so familiar, yet different.

More of Leanne’s work can be seen on Instagram @almamatterscollages

It was great to see so many creative people gather to celebrate the opening of Changes Gallery & Gifts near to the Friends Meeting House on Skinnergate in Darlington on Sunday 1st October 2023. I met with Helen from Darlington Friends and Wildlife Artist, Diane Patterson, in September to hear more about plans to open a new creative enterprise in Darlington, and its great to see these realized.

Changes Gallery & Gifts is currently showcasing work of many different types, paintings, furniture, glass, prints, textiles, with limited edition runs, mugs, coasters and cards alongside original works in different styles currently on view and for sale.

There’s a range of fantastic creative work on display at different prices, and I understand, as befits its name, Changes Gallery & Gifts plan to share the work of new creatives on a regular basis, so I’ll certainly be popping into their space in Darlington again.

Thanks to Helen from Darlington Friends for the images above.

Teesside University are now recruiting for the fourth cohort of what is England’s first and only Curating apprenticeship, which also awards a master’s degree. They currently have existing staff upskilling as apprentices from all over the country with organisations including National Trust, HOME Manchester, British Ceramics Biennial, Teesside Archives, Durham County Council, Barnsley Council, Turner Contemporary and P21 Gallery, London, Tate Modern and Tate Britain. It’s a really good networking opportunity too.

Teesside University have over 30 apprentices at a range of levels on programme since their launch in September 2022, also joined by home and international students on their standard route master’s course for in person intensive weeks in Middlesbrough at the beginning of each module. Apprentices then combine self-directed study with small, regular  ( bi weekly) online seminar groups as part of their off-the-job learning. Drawing on MIMA, the course covers the advanced practical and intellectual requirements of a curator in any field including collections, commissioning, interpretation, engagement, project management and critical theoretical contexts.

To find out more and register their interest for this apprenticeship, it’s best to contact a member of the Professional Apprenticeships Department at apprenticeships@tees.ac.uk

For specific queries their next series of info sessions are available to book here https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/curator-degree-apprenticeship-webinars-2679659

• 10^th October (11am – 12pm)
• 24^th October (11am – 12pm)
• 8^th November (11am – 12pm)
• 22^nd November (11am – 12pm)

The deadline is 17^th November 2023 to apply for the January 2024 cohort start (course starts Thu 25 Jan, first intensive week is Mon 5 – Fri 9 Feb). 

The course is open to those working in England, and is taught in intensive weeks and online to enable this. MA Curating (Curator Apprenticeship) is led by Prof Sarah Perks and Dr Paul Stewart with George Vasey and a dedicated team of Associate Lecturers at MIMA/School of Arts and Creative Industries, Teesside University. Government apprenticeship information is here, do you can see this might be upskilling existing staff or they can even incorporate into a new position.

BIG Little Gigs return to the beautifully refurbished Darlington Library on Crown Street for a very special family gig celebrating Black History Month. On Saturday 14th October 2023, Newcastle’s groundbreaking rap artist Kay Greyson will be performing. Kay, who has been rapping and performing since she was a teenager, returns to BIG Little Gigs after a memorable show back in 2020, and she has been busy! The last few years have seen her winning a Culture Award, performing at the Royal Albert Hall, playing to packed-out festival crowds at Hit The North Music Festival, and gaining national airplay from Radio 1’s Jack Saunders and Amazing Radio.

Tickets for this event are free and available from Skiddle. Tickets are very limited for this, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

‘Everyone can dance but not everyone gets the chance’ is the founding principle of the new organisation TeesDance which aims to transform the dance sector in the Tees Valley with an exciting programme of development.  TeesDance believes that everyone should have the opportunity to experience dance in all its forms and is launching an ambitious and pioneering two-year programme to help achieve this.  

Funded by Arts Council England, the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority and a number of local authorities, including Darlington Borough Council who funded TeesDance’s earlier MoveUP programme, Dance in Tees Valley, Ecology, Growth and Creativity aims to resource and develop the dance sector and workforce in the region, engaging with more than 25 freelance creative practitioners.

Working as an umbrella organisation to build networks and foster partnerships with freelancers and existing organisations, as well as championing the work of local artists and challenging perceptions of who dance is for and what can be achieved, TeesDance aims to open up the transformative world of dance to all ages. 

The project, funded by Arts Council England, Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, and Local Authorities, represents a pivotal catalyst for growth, addressing the longstanding underfunding and neglect of the dance sector in the Tees Valley area.

Recognising the historic under-investment in the region, Arts Council England has designated the Tees Valley Combined Authority area as a ‘Priority Place’. Additionally, dance as an art form in the Tees Valley has been chronically underfunded for years and this injection of over £170k investment will revitalise and develop the dance sector and workforce.

Amy Swalwell, Executive Producer at TeesDance, emphasises the organisation’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for all individuals to experience high-quality dance, regardless of their background or location. “Everyone can dance but not everyone gets the chance, and here is where TeesDance aims to meet gaps in provision and provide opportunities for all to experience high-quality dance, no matter who you are or where you live”.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “As we continue to boost our creative and cultural sector, we’re delighted to support this important and exciting dance initiative. TeesDance’s ambitious vision will boost jobs by contracting over 25 local freelance artists over the next two years and helping to develop the sector. It will also bring dance to thousands of participants and audiences while attracting visitors to support our towns, centres and communities.” 

In a strong show of support for the dance sector, local authorities including Darlington Borough Council, Hartlepool Borough Council, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council have pledged their commitment to the programme. As part of this commitment, they will provide seed commissions for the creation of new dance performances for the region’s annual festival programmes in 2025, including Darlington’s Railway Celebrations and the Stockton International Riverside Festival.

Patricia Suarez, Creative Producer at TeesDance, adds, “Our region has produced some amazing dancers, choreographers and producers but with very few jobs available in dance in the Tees Valley, we are losing all this incredible talent to other areas. We hope that this programme will not only encourage these dancers to stay and work in the area but also develop a new generation of professional dancers who will make work in the Tees Valley.”  

TeesDance invites individuals, organisations, and communities to join them on this exciting journey of transformation and exploration through dance.

“Dance is great at any age, from classes for children through to care home activities. Everyone can dance, those who are able-bodied, or have a physical or learning disability. And it is transformative.  Who doesn’t feel better after a dance – whether it’s a disco for one in your bedroom or a salsa class in a village hall! We can’t wait to create inclusive dance experiences for participants and audiences, both new and existing.”

Enterprise Made Simple are delivering the ETCH programme across Tees Valley and have reached several hundred creatives so far. The inaugural ETCH session in Darlington will take place on Friday 6th October 2023 at The Forum Music Centre in Darlington and is open to both pre start and existing businesses including: artists, musicians, performers, photographers, digital artists, ceramicists and anyone in between!!!

Book your place now at https://eventbrite.com/e/etch-tickets-719806720277?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing

An exhibition of paintings by artist Stephen Bainbridge in acrylic and watercolour depicting the golden age of steam power on Britain’s railways, combining accuracy and atmosphere is the first to go on display in the gallery at Darlington Library, following its recent restoration.

Stephen has exhibited and been artist in residence at The Head of Steam railway museum in the past, and exhibited at Darlington Library before and we are delighted to welcome The Splendour of Steam exhibition as the first in the gallery since its recent restoration. If you’d like to find out more about the Darlington Library offer and take a virtual tour of the newly restored building just click here.

Stephen is 74 years old and was born in Leicester. He taught in Buckinghamshire for thirty-six years before retiring to the North, moving to Newton Aycliffe, where he now lives with his wife Shelagh.

Stephen has worked in the acrylic medium for forty years, initially developing techniques under the tutelage of the professional artist Noel Gregory. His paintings have also featured in magazines and have been used in historical text books. As a lifelong admirer of Sir Nigel Gresley and the LNER many of the works reflect this, together with the appreciation of Sir William Stanier and the LMS.

He is a member of the, the LNER Society, The A1 Group and The Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Preservation Group. Stephen is also a member of the North York Moors Railway and the Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

He has recently completed studies of the P2 2007 ‘Prince of Wales’, currently under construction at Darlington for the P2 Group and painting ‘The Great Goodbye, the gathering of the six remaining A4s at Shildon which ‘Locomotion’ produced as a limited-edition print.

Stephen is also planning to work in situ in the gallery at Darlington Library on particular Fridays between 10.30am and 2pm during the exhibition run, a great chance to have a chat, find out more about his creative practice or buy some fantastic cards featuring prints of his beautiful pictures.

Clore Leadership have recently announced two upcoming Leadership Experience sessions as part of the Tees Valley Programme, free one-off hosted conversations aimed at leaders or aspiring leaders working in the cultural sector in the Tees Valley area.

In each session cultural leaders and change-makers share their stories and experiences and will discuss learning from both successes and challenges, giving you a window into a diverse range of leadership journeys. These are informal sessions with plenty of opportunity for discussion with speakers and peers.

Their two speakers this Autumn are local poet and director, Kirsten Luckins on Tuesday 26 September and Vici Wreford-Sinnott, Writer and Director, Little Cog on Friday 8 December.

Leadership Experiences are free events that place quarterly, either online or in-person in the Tees Valley. Due to the conversational nature of the sessions they will not be recorded when online.

Don’t miss out! Sign up now to be part of the conversation.

Kirsten Luckins, Poet and Director, Tees Women Poets

Date: Tuesday 26 September 2023

Time: 11 – 12.30pm

Location: Hippodrome, Darlington

Free

Sign up here

About our speaker:

Kirsten Luckins is a poet, performer, and producer of community arts projects with poetry at their heart. For ten years she was producer across the North for national performance poetry organisation Apples and Snakes, during which time she published two collections, and toured solo spoken word theatre shows. She is founder-director of the Tees Women Poets, a collective dedicated to changing lives and building confidence for women through poetry and performance. She is also project manager for the Rebecca Swift Foundation, managing the biennial Women poets’ Prize and setting up the UK-wide Women Poets’ Network.

Vici Wreford-Sinnott, Writer and Director, Little Cog

Date: Friday 8 December 2023

Time: 11 – 12.30pm

Location: Online via Zoom

Sign up here

About our speaker:

Vici Wreford-Sinnott is a disabled writer/director for stage and screen. She is a leading campaigner for the cultural equality in the Disability Arts Movement. Vici creates work which introduces new disabled protagonists and narratives around disabled people to challenge societal and cultural misconceptions. Her theatre work tours nationally and her short film Hen Night for the BBC was one of the first pieces of disabled women-led broadcast drama. Vici offers support to arts and cultural organisations to improve their practice of disability equality, and in 2021 received the North East Art and Culture Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts.   

If you have any booking enquiries regarding either of the above sessions please email sarah.stott@cloreleadership.org

Shared first floor workspace for artists/makers available shortly in the old schoolroom within Quaker Meeting House on Skinnergate in Darlington.  Large bright room – 7.5 x  10.8 meters for up to three artists/makers, offered unfurnished. Toilet and kitchen facilities in adjoining Quaker meeting building. Vehicle unloading space available but no regular parking.   

Monthly Licence agreement; rent to be agreed but in region of £200 per artist per month inclusive of bills.

Details and viewing: Helen – hdwmanagementservices@gmail.com or 07941 338169 

No 4 Skinnergate (formerly used by Butterwick Hospice Care) is being offered by Darlington Quakers on a minimum three year lease term and available immediately.

Expressions of interest are being handled by Denham Properties, Duke Street. For
informal discussions and site visit, please email Helen – hdwmanagementservices@gmail.com

The Quaker Skinnergate “Estate” is rapidly becoming known as a creative corner in the town
centre, supporting, in particular, the local arts scene. Creation of “Friends Community Hub” (no 6 Skinnergate) last year has developed a low cost multi purpose pop up space suitable for exhibitions, workshops, public engagement events etc as well Darlington Creatives Market once a month, generously supported by Creative Darlington, enables small scale local artists and makers to have a free outlet to promote and sell their work.

The shop space is split over two levels with a small set of steps connecting, and includes back stock room/office, toilet and kitchenette. There is also three basement rooms suitable for storage purposes only. It is a unique and characterful historic building with large display windows and great corner positioning, visible from three streets which would suit a variety of creative ventures. It has recently been decorated inside and out, with new colourful fascia boards as part of the Town’s Fund regeneration.