What's On

A ‘WILD VISION’ of the people of Teesside using lockdown to express themselves through art will be brought to life in a new exhibition in Stockton.

Four artists got together on Zoom during the pandemic to talk about their dreams of encouraging people to use the time to rediscover or unlock their talents – and the Wild Vision Collective was founded.

Now the collective will open a base in Wellington Square, Stockton, where an exhibition will be held from Tuesday, November 10.

Claire Harrison explained: “The Wild Vision Collective is a new collaboration born out of the national lockdown.

“I got together with colleagues Beth Johnson (textiles); Nethanja De Leeuw-Kent (mixed media, textiles) and Mandy Dixon (print-making) with the aim of celebrating the power of art as a form of expression, communication and healing – especially in these difficult times.

“We want to bring people together and to use our skills to deliver community projects, exhibitions, workshops and mentoring – to ignite a spark of hope for the people of Teesside.

“Some have turned to art as therapy and as a way of coping with boredom and anxiety. The exhibition ‘Unlocked in Lockdown’ aims to capture the experience of making art during a global pandemic and to share those stories.”

Marketing manager of Wellington Square shopping centre, Chantal Taylor, said: “We thought this was a great community initiative to be involved in

“It gives the collective the chance to show their own work, along with submissions from the public, and for people to visit the exhibition and take part in socially-distanced workshops.

Claire said: “The exhibition runs Tuesdays to Saturdays from Nov 10 to 30 from 10am to 4pm. Exhibitors will all be from a TS postcode and a ‘people’s choice’ prize will be awarded.