Wideyed

BLOSSOM - .wilkins and worked with groups around earlier this year to celebrate springtime blossom, culminating in an exhibition in the grounds of Ormesby Hall, Middlesbrough until 14th October.

Throughout the grounds there are blossom photographs by members of , Cleveland Beekeepers Association, and Apple A Day Orchard and hedgerow blossom is celebrated as cyanotypes made by residents of Tollesby Hall Care Home.

RADICAL RECIPES Re-thinking food, community and connection… Introducing

Our new book, available from our website, celebrates grassroots community projects that take food as their focus. We introduce 5 radical initiatives established and run by everyday people. Each one tells a story of what’s possible when people value and nurture their communities. Whether they’re connecting people and produce, creating opportunities for people to get outside, or cooking free meals to bring people together, all these projects are about enriching lives.

Grab a copy and discover the impact that simple acts around food can have on individuals, families, and entire neighbourhoods.

RADICAL RECIPES Re-thinking food, community and connection… Introducing Sunniside Community Centre’s cafe and pantry.

Our new book, available from our website, celebrates grassroots community projects that take food as their focus. We introduce 5 radical initiatives established and run by everyday people. Each one tells a story of what’s possible when people value and nurture their communities. Whether they’re connecting people and produce, creating opportunities for people to get outside, or cooking free meals to bring people together, all these projects are about enriching lives.

Grab a copy and discover the impact that simple acts around food can have on individuals, families, and entire neighbourhoods.

Still time to pop in and see Fabulous Flora, at The Witham, Barnard Castle

There's still plenty of time to left to squeeze in a visit to The Witham to visit "Fabulous Flora" - an arts and environment exhibition celebrating the rare flora and special landscape of

The exhibition is part of our Budding Botantists project and is on display until Friday, 26th July.

As part of the Budding Botanists project, students from
Bowes Hutchinson C Of E (Aided) Primary School
Montalbo Nursery & Primary School
Cotherstone Primary School
St Mary's RC Primary School and Little Wren's Nursery - Barnard Castle
travelled to Cow Green Reservoir to discover the rare flowers of Upper Teesdale with the help of Dr Margaret Bradshaw and volunteers from Dr ME Bradshaw’s Teesdale Special Flora Research & Conservation Trust and artists David De La Haye, Louise Taylor and Nat Wilkins.

The exhibition is a treat for eyes and ears and includes photos, cyanotype prints, zines and sound compositions created by the students in a creative response to their visit to Cow Green Reservoir. There's also the opportunity to make your own zine!

Thanks to all our partners and contributors who have made this such an enjoyable and rewarding project.

North Pennines National Landscape

FABULOUS FLORA, a Northern Heartlands CIO project continues at The Witham , Barnard Castle until 26th July.

Louise and Nat collaborated with sound artist David de la Haye to produce an exhibition of work by local primary school children that celebrates the rare flora and special landscape of Upper Teesdale

Listen to the sound compositions created by the young people with the support of David

Fabulous Flora, by David de la Haye from the album Fabulous Flora!

FABULOUS FLORA continues , Barnard Castle until 26th July.

Louise and Nat collaborated with sound artist David de la Haye to produce this exhibition of work by local primary school children that celebrates the rare flora and special landscape of

The and project invited students to visit Cow Green Reservoir to discover the rare flowers of Upper Teesdale with esteemed botanist Dr Margaret Bradshaw and volunteers from

We’re really proud of the work the students have created for the exhibition which includes flower portraits, landscape photographs, zines, cyanotype prints and sound compositions.

New work, RADICAL RECIPES - the result of our pilot project and kickstarter funding is unveiled today for

We will be at this Saturday sharing new work and the results of our pilot project - RADICAL RECIPES.

Posted • Congregate Fest is a free and exciting mini festival of ideas and creativity, showcasing great talent from across County Durham.

Join us this Saturday (25 March) at from 11am - 2pm at Hall to get a sneak preview of the ambitious plans.

Hope to see you at FORMAT International Photography Festival later this week!

Please join the East Meets West 22/23 participants for the opening of the Hidden Worlds exhibition on the 16th of March from 5pm.

Unit 7, Royal Hotel Buildings on Victoria Street.

'Obscuring truths, subverting realities, and negating private and collective histories are reflected across socio-political structures in the UK and abroad. Through the Hidden Worlds exhibition, sixteen visual artists from across the UK engage with topics of identity, memory, body, family, place, and power to expose new perspectives and unravel the ‘hidden’ beneath the seemingly familiar.'

Over a six-month period, this collective group has participated in the East Meets West Programme organised by Grain Photography Hub GRAIN Projects, FORMAT, and QUAD - Derby.

Artists Include: Amber Banks Brumby, Andy Fell, Anna Sellen, Chiara Zandona, Emily Ryalls, Ismail Khokon, James Cunliffe, Kat Young, Liliana Zaharia, Louise Taylor, Paul Railton, Rebecca Davis, Ruby Nixon, Ryan Gear, Shona Morgan, Zula Rabikowska

One more week until Formats opening night…
See you there!

There is only one week left before the opening of this year’s FORMAT International Photography Festival, running from 17 March to 9 April!

The days of lockdown were seen by many as a chance to reflect and recharge, upending perceived agendas and to think about the world anew. For FORMAT23 we invite our audiences and our colleagues to stop, take stock and consider ‘What Photography Can Be’.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Image: Arko Datto

Thanks for the order… our self published book Agri[culture] is heading to your library today!

We will be there presenting our pilot project that looks at grass roots food and community growing projects in the County.

Want to find about more about the innovative projects that are being developed as part of ‘The Culture County’ initiative?
Join us at Congregate Fest, a free and exciting mini festival of ideas and creativity, showcasing great talent from across the county.

📅 Saturday 25 March, 11am – 2pm
📍 Bishop Auckland Town Hall

Find out more and get your free ticket at
https://bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk/bishoppost/congregate-fest/

H O M E T I M E
We’re saddened to hear of the recent passing of Home Time photographer and participant Anne Rutherford. Anne made a haul of fabulous photos during lockdown #3 with a disposable camera documenting some of her experiences living rurally isolated in a pandemic.

We will never forget her remarking on her image of pies in the exhibition..
“I can’t believe you’ve picked that photo!… they weren’t good pies!! They had soggy bottoms!!”

Anne was definitely a photographer and she didn’t know it until her 80’s. Thoughts are with her family and friends.

This Saturday Star and Shadow Cinema, Newcastle!

Only two days to go until Hothouse! Who is excited? 🥳

This Saturday (29th) Redeye’s Hothouse arrives in Newcastle upon Tyne for a free, daylong celebration of photography at !

Hothouse is a showcase of new talent and a hive of photographic activity and information.

Come along for an hour or two or stay for the whole event!

This is FREE TO ATTEND - follow the link in bio to book your free ticket 🔗

We have an incredible line up of photographers this year, from documentary, experimental, socially engaged, portrait, performance, fine art, commercial and more - there is something for everyone!

We can’t wait to see everyone there!

See the link in bio for more info and get in touch if you have any questions

H A N D W O R K E D ... Killhope Leadmining Museum.

One week left to see the exhibition...
Open 7 days a week, 10-4.30 until 30th October 2022

Pick up your exhibition guide at reception

Our publications HOME TIME and AGRI[CULTURE] will be available to purchase tomorrow afternoon in Stanhope at - we will also be presenting our Home Time Exhibition In A Box too! The books are also available direct from us too if you’re not local!

[culture]

Posted • Hothouse is only a week away! - have you booked a free ticket yet?

We would love to invite you along to Hothouse, a daylong celebration of photography with a series of quick fire presentations from a range of photographers, showcasing some of the most exciting and fresh talents in the industry.

Our line up of speakers is now confirmed! We are thrilled to welcome:

💥 George Collins ( )
💥 Steve Crook ( )
💥 Michele Allan
💥 Ryan Yare ( )
💥 Nigel Walker ( )
💥 Aidan Doyle ( )
💥 Neil Johnson ( )
💥 Debbie Todd ( )
💥 Zoe Hamill (.zoe )
💥 Marge Bradshaw ( )
💥 Les Monaghan ( )
💥 Kat Cutler-MacKenzie and Ben Caro ( and )
💥 Simone Rudolphi ( )
💥 Jill Boyd (.boyd.visual.artist )
💥 Nikki Culley ( )
💥 Laura Foster ( )
💥 Joanna Stawnicka ( )
💥 Louise Taylor ( )
💥 Dale Hardy ( )
💥 Will Creswick ( )

Hothouse is running in person at , Newcastle upon Tyne

🗓️ Saturday 29th October, 10am - 5pm

You are welcome to come along for an hour or two or stay the whole day!

Free to attend, simply book a ticket via the link in bio 🔗

Excited to say that Louise is participating in the 22/23 East Meets West program!

Posted • , and are delighted to announce the 16 selected participants for this year’s East Meets West Masterclass Programme!

Anna Sellen
Amber Banks Brumby
Andy Fell
Clare West
Emily Ryalls
Ismail Khokon
James Cunliffe
Kat Young
Liliana Zaharia
Louise Taylor
Paul Railton
Ruby Nixon
Rebecca Davis .uk
Ryan Gear
Shona Morgan
Zula Rabikowska .ra

Over the period of five months, these UK-based emerging photographers will take part in a series of in person and online workshops led by industry and arform leaders who will share their knowledge and practical advice on developing a successful career.

The sessions will be led by .Allende .ciocarlan

With thanks to our supporters

Image Credit -

We collected our HOME TIME- exhibition in a box yesterday from West Lodge Care home where the residents have been enjoying engaging with it. If you’re local and are attending Weardale WordFest later this month we will be presenting the mini exhibition and there will be an opportunity to purchase the accompanying zine!

H A N D W O R K E D ... Killhope Leadmining Museum.
Open 7 days a week, 10-4.30 until 30th October 2022

A couple more weeks left to see the exhibition... You'll find the photos of leather worker Mark Rowney in the stables.

H A N D W O R K E D ... Killhope Leadmining Museum.
Open 7 days a week, 10-4.30 until 30th October 2022

Introducing another of our talented artisans featured in our exhibition.... Sarah Morehead, Design Director of Self Made Studios and writer of the essay that accompanies the exhibition.

"At the peak of Lead mining at Killhope, It was commonplace for people to use their hands and skills in their jobs to extract raw materials or make goods that local and far of towns and cities needed. Now to work and craft with our hands is thought of as an artisan skill. In our digital world we use our hands and bodies less in both our leisure and work. But for the historic workers of Killhope and the Artisans represented here having the right tools for your craft is important.

A maker and their tools have a synergy. Having a connection to those tools that they become an extension of your physique adds to this interplay of body and tool that aids the connectivity of man to craft and the wielding, moulding of their materials in a creative flow. A blacksmith knows the weight and force of his hammers and a carver the length and feel of his blades and the handle that rests in their hand. The weight, contours of how the tools are held, their length, sharpness, bluntness all have importance in how the artisan creates their work. Thus, for some, creating their own tools that fit their hands and physique is an important part of creating their work as a whole. Where disposable or cheap tools impinge on how we feel about our craft processes whilst using them. We are more conscious of the negative sensations of the tool in use, and this disrupts how we think of the task we are trying to do. Many of us know how a blunt kitchen knife feels to work with or cheap scissors that still have a plastic sharp edge around the handles where they have been badly taken from a mould.

Our hands feel their way through the world learning skills and encountering textures and temperatures that inform how we think and be in the world. Tools help us extend these capabilities. Where we are less conscious about the tool in the creation of our work the tool becomes an invisible extension of ourselves. And when we put the tool away, look after it, we take ownership of its function and ability to perform for us in a pleasing manner. This in turn builds pleasurable memories of positive use, creating a virtuous circle of care, use and performance.

In this way it is understandable that sons and daughters wish to care for their fathers’ and mothers’ tools which although grey and worn through time have a stronger construction, feel and lasting performance. Good tools have emotional resonance, they talk to us."
https://sarahmariaevelyn.wixsite.com/mysite/collaboration-across-diciplines

H A N D W O R K E D ... Killhope Leadmining Museum.
Open 7 days a week, 10-4.30 until 30th October 2022

Introducing another of our talented craftspeople featured in our exhibition.... James Mason - dry stone waller, lime mortar and hedge laying contractor - found in the stone Bouse Teem's by the washing floor of the museum (pick up your copy of the exhibition guide at reception)

James left school in 1986 and after a couple of short term jobs on building sites ended up helping to establish a pony trekking centre at Garrigill. Here, he started helping a waller who was repairing the stone walls who taught him that walls have three sides “This side, yon side and inside… the most important is the inside”

James became a qualified instructor through the Dry Stone Walling Association, is qualified in lime mortar repairs and has worked throughout the North East for National Trust, local County Councils (Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria, South Tyneside, North Yorkshire), Beamish Museum and the Wildlife Trust.

Through the winter months he spends time hedge laying, which like walling is another craft that has carried on the same way for centuries.

H A N D W O R K E D ... Killhope Leadmining Museum.
Open 7 days a week, 10-4.30 until 30th October 2022

Introducing another of our talented craftspeople featured in our exhibition.... Ellie Langley, Ellie Langley - Fleece with Altitude - found in the yurt compound of the museum (pick up your copy of the exhibition guide at reception)

Ellie is a hatter and shepherdess based in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Connections to the earth and landscape are intrinsic to Ellie’s daily life and are integral to her work.

Home is one of Upper Weardale’s scattered miner/farmer smallholdings contained within traceries of drystone walls which are uniquely characteristic of the lead-producing areas of the North Pennines. Ellie’s smallholding is off-grid, powered by renewable energy, and is also home to her small flock of rescue-sheep.

The treasured and varied flock grazes the smallholding’s species-rich hay-meadow, another notable feature of the North Pennines, as they grow the beautiful fleeces used in Ellie’s work. These wools are used by Ellie in her workshop to create her unique tweed and felt hats

ellielangleyhats.com

H A N D W O R K E D ... Killhope Leadmining Museum.
Open 7 days a week, 10-4.30 until 30th October 2022

One of the craftspeople featured in the exhibition is the super talented Colin Wilson.... shown in the foyer of the museum (ask reception for your copy of the exhibition guide)

Colin creates artefacts from an array of woods and metals and many of these have been exhibited in London, Milan, New York, Beijing, and Stockholm.
Colin embarked on his career as an apprentice Steel Fabricator (Plater). In his late 30’s he started a degree in 3-Dimensional Design after being diagnosed with dyslexia. With his background in creating industrial structures and his training as a designer he was appointed as a senior lecturer on the 3-Dimensional design programme at Northumbria University. In 2020 Colin retired from academic life and has pursued working on bespoke design projects and teaching others whittling and carving in the local community.
It is woodlands, green spaces and fresh air that inspire Colin and where he prefers to work whittling and carving spoons, shepherds’ crooks, and walking sticks.
Colin is keen to nurture and encourage others to take up these skills. There is increased awareness that learning a craft benefits not only the physical prowess of building skills, but also the act of concentrating on creating something is a mindful process and can bring mental health benefits.

H A N D W O R K E D

Happy to share that our latest project Handworked is currently being exhibited at Killhope Leadmining Museum.
Free entry, open 10-4.30 every day.
Pick up your copy of the exhibition guide at reception.

H O M E T I M E…

The Home Time exhibition in a box continues to be enjoyed by residents at West Lodge care home.

H O M E T I M E

We’re delighted that our Home Time ‘exhibition in a box’ is in situ at West Lodge Care Home at the moment. Some of our photographers reside here and it’s wonderful to know they can share their work with their families

Thanks to Durham County Council’s Covid funding.



Gala Durham, County Durham Community Foundation

H O M E T I M E… a special day today. We met some of our participating photographers IN REAL LIFE today to present them the HOME TIME: Exhibition in a Box. These guys have been unable to visit any of the exhibitions of their work due to lockdowns and restrictions in their care home. Soooooo… with some support from we made them their very own exhibition in a box incorporating all the elements of the exhibition. Looking forward to seeing how they place the objects.

Everything crossed we managed to woo the City of Culture judges! Durham 2025