A new artwork for Hartlepool - and here's how you can play your part while you're in isolation

Rachel Laycock, left, and Emma Wheetman from BloomInArt in Hartlepool.

A huge new public piece of art is being planned for the Dyke House area and town firm BloomInArt has been commissioned by The Wharton Trust to create it.

It will depict the things that people across town have been doing while they stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

The project is called Silver Lining. It will encourage people to focus on the positives of life in isolation, such as time to reflect, rediscovering a hobby or talent, time with family and solidarity with neighbours.

A previous BloomInArt-backed initiative which was the East Durham Creates Kaleidoscope Project at Blackhall Community Centre.

BloomInArt co-director Emma Wheetman said: “We hope people will try something new, share skills they have with others or simply just enjoy the process.”

The project will include creative challenges for people to enjoy. They are set by the BloomInArt team and will appear on Facebook each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Emma added: “We will invite people to send images of their artwork via email where we will digitize and create a collective digital design.

“This design will be used to form large-scale artwork to be displayed within Dyke House area. Participants from across the whole of Hartlepool will be able to see their own artwork entwined in the final design.

BloomInArt has been involved in all sorts of art projects in the North East. Here is the ‘Oh I Do like To Be’ commission at the Hartlepool Waterfront Festival.

“This project is something to work towards and look forward to when we emerge and celebrate on the other side of Covid-19.”

BloomInArt is working with The Annexe in Hartlepool to promote the event and Emma added: “We will upload weekly opportunities to our, and the The Annexe’s, Facebook pages, focusing on creative processes that can be completed within the home.”

The project has been funded through a programme called Power To Change.

Emma said it would ‘give all generations the opportunity to engage creatively, regardless of their artistic background and ability, in producing a lasting piece of artwork that the whole community can be proud of.

A BloomInArt project which involved a whole school vinyl designs and fabric prints competition at Eldon Grove.

“The Silver Lining project is helping us respond to a need while adapting our business to the current situation. It has been a lifeline, not only for us during this difficult time, but is also providing a way to creatively engage and connect with the community during the time of isolation.”

Fellow co-director Rachel Laycock said: “We are providing a means of expression, suggesting artistic processes, tools and guidance but are not being too prescriptive.”

Sacha Bedding, Manager of The Annexe said; “We’ve been working with BloomInArt for quite a while now.

“When we were thinking about how we could do something for the duration of Covid-19 which would allow people to have a bit of fun and contribute to a piece of community art, we asked if Emma and Rachel if they could help.

Another piece from BloomInArt's Eldon Grove commission.

“They’ve come up with a really great idea which everybody can be involved in.

“We are really lucky that we have funding from the likes of Power to Change and others which allows us to support our friends who are doing great work in the town, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what art local people come up with.”

BloomInArt is no stranger to making the news headlines and won the Creative sector category at last year’s Hartlepool Business Awards.

Now bosses are hoping to get a huge response to their latest project.

Rachel added: “It is so important during this time to think about our mental health and ways of coping. Creativity is an amazing tool to help. This project is an opportunity to focus on the positives, connect with others and create something together that we can all celebrate when we emerge again.”

To find out more, follow BloomInArt and The Annexe on Facebook and look out for the launch of Silver Lining Project on Monday, April 13 at 10am.

A scene from the BloomInArt 'Great Place Hartlepool' project which toured festivals in the Tees Valley area.

For the latest coronavirus updates, including case numbers, visit the Hartlepool Mail website.

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