In 2015 residents from Newbiggin by the Sea worked with Northumberland based visual artists, Yvette Hawkins and Sheila Biggs who also supported their development and interests to stimulate the creative process to design and make a range of creative products.
Developing skills and confidence to unlock talent, they unleashed their creative energies to diversify the income opportunities for the Hive in the process.
Through a combination of workshops, learning and mentoring programme; participants, many who were long termed unemployed, utilised and applied existing manual, trade and creative skills to develop their ambitions and put in place structures so they can operate on a professional level.
This led to an exhibition of works at the hive – Hive event flyer
Members of the Hive continued to employ local artists to deliver skills master classes. This saw people exploring digital textile making and creating a series of products including roller blinds, needle cases and book jackets.
Following our project, the Northern Learning Trust received funding from Big Lottery Reaching Communities fund to enable them to continue to provide services and support in the community for a further three years.
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