Having access to creative opportunities is fundamental to living happy healthy lives.
Creativity is closely linked to positive mental well-being. It’s a powerful outlet for self-expression, helps process emotions and reduces stress. Creativity promotes a sense of accomplishment, fulfilment, and empowerment, contributing to a positive mindset and enabling folks to manage change and uncertainty due to increased resilience.
It’s February time and workshops are now underway for the Younity Mural Project!
A little bit of background
The project was successfully pitched after an Artist Agency programme with Helix Arts last year. It received funding from Creative Central NCL and support from Newcastle Council and The North of Tyne Combined Authority. I teamed up with fellow colleague on the Artist Agency programme – Lindsay Nicholson who wanted to support the project.
Although the project was initially planned for around the Clayton Street area, I quickly realised the scope of those who use and work in the area has a greater range. When arranging the workshops, after confirming funding in October, meant venues had to be booked fairly quickly. After speaking with Lindsay we added ReCoCo which is a peer led, peer delivered education and support service where people can learn from each other’s insights, skills and lived experience. ReCoCo was ideal, not far from the area of Clayton Street and provides a safe space. The venue also has participants who already use and engage the space who we wanted to include in the project. Newcastle Arts Centre was also chosen being in the zone, and after contacting Clara at Young Women’s Film Academy a workshop was arranged there. Baltic Front Room provides a warm space, a food bank and support to many in the area who also utilise the charity shops etc on Clayton Street. After meeting Hayley and Lizi from BALTIC, I thought it was vital to also add this venue due to the communities that use it. All venues were carefully researched to ensure they also had wheelchair access.
Younity Design and Graphics
I created this A3 Poster image for the workshops with sponsors and venues displayed. As the posters were basically recruiting for co-artists I didn’t want to create something too specific dictating what the mural would look like. The font was given a rough marker pen feel, colour splashes were added as abstract doodles with a fresh welcoming green as a background. The fonts were chosen for clarity and simplicity. I added a small detail of leaves as my work revolves around wellbeing when delivering workshops.
Social media posts were created to seperate the venues with their specific times and days across Facebook and Instagram. Emails were also sent out to contacts and outreach to organisations who worked across the area.
In addition I walked around the Newcastle Central:NCL area to Dance City, Princes Trust, Newcastle Arts Centre, Enterprise Central and the Grainger Market to hand out flyers. I also walked down Clayton Street and had a good chat with people working in different shops and charities in the area there. This included Forbidden Planet, Super Natural Cafe, Travelling Man, British Heart Foundation, Salvation Army, Thai House, Turkish Barber, PDSA and Shelter etc.
Artist Sofia Barton holding a flyer for Younity. Standing in front of the ‘Unity’ participatory mural which she painted with the charity Shelter. Located in Shelter North East Hub, Clayton Street. Photograph by Liam Robinson. 2024.Younity flyers were distributed to different shops, charities and organisations. Newcastle Arts Centre. 2024. Photograph by Liam Robinson.
The first workshop took place at ReCoCo yesterday where participants started creating their pieces for the mural. ReCoCo stands for Recovery College Collective and is co-directed by the very welcoming Alisdair Cameron. Located on the fourth floor of the building, it is a very open, warm and chilled out space. It provided a great view of the everchanging city.
The relaxed session was facilitated with the fantastic Lindsay Nicholson, with music and a very inspiring keynote. Lindsay is always very intuitive and engaging in delivering workshops. The first section of the workshop started on comfy couches and armchairs then moved to the table when the session became more practical. There were felt tips, coloured pencils, pastels, marker pens and different types of paper to get the co-artist’s creative juices flowing. Participants also had some symbology examples to help guide them if needed, though everyone brought their own unique ideas to the table. Although everyone was given an option to submit after the session, it was explained they have until the end of February if they wish. About half submitted artwork after the session. I think this allows breathing space for creatives who may wish to work longer on their work and flexibility to those who may want to use other mediums.
Bookings for workshops are taken through CuratorSpace, Eventbrite, direct emails to organisations, leaflet or poster distribution, social media and word of mouth. The next few sessions look a lot busier too, especially the Saturdays!
After being asked a lot of the same questions on the Younity Mural email address I decided to create a quick list of FAQs. Here’s what I wrote:
Younity FAQs
What is the Younity Mural Project?
‘Younity’ will be a co-produced community mural in Newcastle upon Tyne. Each participant is credited as co-artist. The colourful display will send a message of hope to those experiencing hate crimes and express unity. It will be an uplifting hallmark of the welcoming multicultural and diverse community of the North East. We’re aiming to get people from the local area to participate and welcome groups from marginalized communities and lower socio-economic backgrounds who wouldn’t normally be able to take part in such a project.
You may have seen flyers and posters in the Creative Central:NCL zone where the project is funded. Flyers were distributed to charities, shops and organisations on Clayton Street and the surrounding areas including Shelter, Dance City, ReCoCo, Travelling Man, Forbidden Planet, The Prince’s Trust, Grainger Market, British Heart Foundation, and the PDSA.
How many workshops are there?
There are a total of five workshops that will be taking place in February 2024. They all last 2 and a half hours each. Each workshop takes place across different times or venues to give availability to participants. Participants are only required to attend one of these workshops.
ReCoCo: 2nd February 10 – 12:30pm, 5th February 5:30 – 8pm and 18th February 1:30 – 4pm Newcastle Arts Centre, Black Swan Theatre: 10th February 11 – 1:30pm Baltic Centre of Contemporary Art, Baltic Front Room: 12:30 – 3pm
Where are the workshops for Younity Mural Project?
The venues for the workshops in the project include ReCoCo, BALTIC and Newcastle Arts Centre. The workshop days /times are split to make them accessible to different groups of people. The workshops at ReCoCo are located in their space at Carliol Square on the fourth floor. At BALTIC Centre of Contemporary Art the workshop is located in Baltic Front Room. In Newcastle Arts Centre the workshop is located in the Black Swan Theatre. These spaces are wheelchair accessible and LGBTQIA+ safe spaces.
How many workshops do I need?
You only need to attend one workshop to get the information you will need. However we understand you may wish to attend more than one if you’d prefer more support or need more time on your idea. Please email us if this is the case.
Do I need to book a place?
Yes. We will need everyone’s details as we have a limited capacity for each workshop. You will be sent a link to a form with some quick questions to book a place. If you’re booking for a group just let us know.
How will my artwork be used?
You will be credited as a co-artist and be asked for permission to use your work for the mural. As well as a physical mural in the city centre we ask that the artwork be used in a digital exhibition
Is there a deadline for my artwork submission?
After you attend a workshop you can submit your work, or email it to us at YounityMural@gmail.com by 6pm on 29th February 2024. The image must be a high resolution photo, or scan, and be no larger than A4.
What if I have access needs?
Please let us know if you have access needs and we can do our best to make the workshop accessible for you.
Who is the project funded by?
The project is funded by Helix Arts and Creative Central:NCL. It is supported by Newcastle Council and North of Tyne Combined Authority.
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I am dead excited, and looking forward to the remaining four workshops and the different art that people make!
In Addition I’ve also finished a blog post, with illustrations and photographs for Historic England this month. I’m looking forward to my other workshops this month with: GemArts for the Mini Mela, TICE doing my ‘Beyond Borders’ workshop in Jarrow and my wellbeing Zen workshop at The Biscuit Factory.
Sofia Barton Illustration 