It’s been a pleasure to work on this fantastic Navigator North Project, providing Tea Blending Classes and taking part in the Playful Picnic, alongside the talented artists Adele Catchpole and Hellen Edwards and Rumana Yasmin of Bok Bok Books, a friend and collaborator on future projects

From the Navigator North website :

This is an exciting creative programme of workshops, activities, exhibitions and events developed and delivered by Navigator North which will take place between June and August 2023, in Middlesbrough. 

The programme has been commissioned as part of Historic England and Middlesbrough Council’s work with Emergency Exit Arts on Hi Street Fest – a landmark nationwide commission taking the form of street parties and carnival celebrations on six high streets across England in the summer of 2023. The carnival event takes place in Middlesbrough on Saturday 29th July. 

Workshops will take place from June onwards, working with local artists and creatives, responding to the story of a travelling fox, the girl she meets and what they encounter in Middlesbrough. Individuals and groups will take part in a wide range of activities including illustration, textiles, needle felting, tea blending, creative writing and heritage sessions.

The fox & the girl exhibition opens in July at Navigator North’s creative space on Middlesbrough high street – The Masham. Featuring artwork made in the workshops, works by the creatives involved in delivering the programme and from an open call. Visitors will be able to vote for their favourite piece in the exhibition, with prizes for the winning entries.

A ‘Playful Picnic’ event will be held on Sat 22nd July in Exchange Square – in the centre of Middlesbrough’s Historic Quarter, bringing people together over a shared lunch and lots of creative activities to get involved with.

For further information about Hi! Street Fest visit https://www.wearemiddlesbrough.com/whats-on/arts-museums-whats-on/hi-street-fest/

See the full programme HERE