In 2020, a series of incredibly talented artists were let loose on our social media, providing our community with a bit more insight into the life and processes of an artist, and also, led by their savvy words of wisdom, offering the opportunity to try out some of the activities for ourselves!
The Artist Takeover was a fun way of celebrating coming to the end of Phase 2, by working with the artists who had made the last three years of our programme so special.
Once a week a different artist involved allowed viewers into their creative world through posts on our Facebook and Instagram page, live streams, sneak peeks into their workspaces and chats with the community, allowing us to ask some of the burning questions we have held onto for too long. Each artist had a week to utilise our social media and catch up with the community, and we are so grateful to everyone who got involved, both artists and participants!
Find out a bit more about some of the artists involved in the project below:
Claire Ford
Claire Ford is a talented artist who is passionate about working with individuals affected by dementia and enriching life through creative expression. Claire collaborated with 'Lets Meet Up' during lockdown. 'Lets Meet Up' is an arts & social group that offers a chance for people living with dementia and/ or other cognitive difficulties to catch up and do something creative. Amongst other things, Claire's takeover included a Q&A session and a photo frame activity.
Meet Claire Ford...
Send a Life-sized Hug to Someone you Love...
Make a Photo Frame...
Creative Pop
Creative Pop is a Seaham-based artist duo, Michelle Harland and Laura Joy Robertson, who came about in a response to their shared passion for narrative lead immersive art experiences. Creative Pop was the first of our artist takeovers and the team led a Q&A session via Facebook, discussed past projects, shared videos on where and how they work and led an informative workshop on painting.
An activity for you to try at home...
How to make Inky Trees Worksheet
Jo Howell
Jo Howell is a local, talented photographer, who has collaborated with East Durham Creates in the past. During lockdown Jo delivered mini get-togethers via zoom, to show communities how to use their photography packs which were distributed across Trimdon. Jo chatted on our Instagram page about all things photography and printmaking, as well as running an activity to encourage individuals to get creative via a photo challenge.
Meet Jo Howell...
Make Your Own Pattern Photograph
Rowan McCabe
Rowan McCabe is a poet and performer from Newcastle, who has worked with East Durham Creates and lent his creative expertise on projects like 'No More Nowt Happens'. Rowan's takeover included a live-streamed poetry party, where Rowan read participants favourite poems aloud, as well as a 'Wild Animal Rap Battle', a session where participants were encouraged to write a rap about their favourite animal to be a bit silly and get rid of the lockdown blues.
Sheryl Jenkins
Talented animator Sheryl Jenkins took over our Facebook and Instagram to look at her animation practice and offer a few activities to try at home. Although animation can be a bit off-putting as it requires lots of equipment and know-how, Sheryl chose activities that were simple to do, such as ''Create your own Flipbook', which just required a piece of paper and a pencil! Sheryl had also been working with Dawdon Youth Hub on Life in Lockdown Animation Project, which provided young people with an opportunity to create an animation on their experiences of the first lockdown.
Skimstone Arts
Skimstone Arts had previously worked with us on a Let’s Create project called ‘A Silent Thread’ with Blackhall Community Centre, as well as with Dawdon Youth and Community Centre on ‘Peace Procession 3’.
When we met them again for the Takeover they were working on a project called 'Here's Your Seat', which encouraged individuals to take a seat and share a piece of creative work (from spoken word to performative dance). You can find out more about this project in the video below.
Get to know Skimstone Arts...
Join the ‘Here’s Your Seat’ Project...
Jo Howell
Theresa Easton
Theresa Easton is an artist who is interested in exploring cultural and historical episodes using contemporary printmaking processes. We had previously worked with Theresa during the Apollo 50 project in which Theresa led zine workshops for young people, allowing the group to print and collage their responses to the moon landing celebrations. Central to Theresa's practice is printmaking, often working with alternative materials to paper. During Theresa's takeover week she showed the community how to make a mini scrapbook and recycled box, as well as chatting about her artistic process with an explanation of letterpresses and the DIY homemade posters she had created during the lockdown.
Find out more about Theresa Easton...
Make a Mini Scrapbook & Recycled Treasure Trove Box...
How to Make Posters, Scrapbooks and Treasure Trove Boxes Worksheet
Unfolding Theatre
Unfolding Theatre is a theatre company that delights in bringing people together through community-based creative processes. As part of their Artists Takeover, Unfolding Theatre brought their 'Best in the World' show to East Durham Creates to watch online. The show follows Alex Elliott, darts player, on his hilarious and heart-warming journey to ask "What does it mean to be best in the world?". The show was interactive and a fantastic boost of motivation during lockdown!
Take a look at Unfolding Theatre's Takeover...