BALTIC has brought together artists, school children and businesses to create art murals that have been unveiled in five Gateshead schools this autumn.
Gateshead secondary schools have felt the impact of Covid-19 on their school environment across two academic years. Remote learning and year group bubbles have divided the schools with most classes unable to move freely around their buildings to receive science lab or art room-based lessons.
BALTIC worked with Whickham School, Kingsmeadow Community School, Cedars Academy, Heworth Grange, Cardinal Hume Catholic School to bring about a moment of togetherness where pupils collaborated with professional artists commissioned by BALTIC. Through five skills-based workshops per school, pupils and artists have created five completely unique artworks specifically developed and installed in communal spaces to create a lasting legacy in each school.
Learning new skills, gaining experience of working with practicing artists and being together in a shared space, were at the heart of this valuable and crucial project which has ignited pride, creativity and collective ownership of the final artwork by the pupils and schools.
The workshops and final art murals were made possible with the generous support of five national and international businesses with North East headquarters. BALTIC partnered with Cintra HR, NBS, North P&I Club, Ryder Achitecture and Ward Hadaway to bring together the five schools with artists Zoe Allen, Cath Campbell, Theresa Easton, Mat Fleming and Megan Randall.
As the murals neared completion in schools, a celebratory event at BALTIC took place on 16 November, bringing the pupils, artists and teachers into the gallery together with the supporting businesses. At the event the pupils got to meet the other schools, share their experiences and see a new short film which will be available online in January 2022 at www.baltic.art
The pupils gained a lot from working in a different environment to the school classroom. BALTIC’s learning studio had a calming effect on the group. They were able to use the experience to work towards gaining an Arts Award Silver which may not have been achievable if it wasn't for the experience of working with an artist. They gained new art skills in ceramics, printing, painting and guerrilla arts, and a sense of worth and wellbeing by taking part.
Robin Cordy, Marketing Director, NBS said:
"It’s been fantastic for NBS to partner with BALTIC on the artists mural project for Kingsmeadow School. We’re so pleased to be able to support such a worthwhile activity which will benefit the pupils, the school and build links with the arts community".
