Hartlepool artists help illuminate North-East tourist attraction

Illuminating Ushaw features a new series of seasonal artworks at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, in Ushaw Moor, near Durham City.

They include an illuminated Christmas trail created by Hartlepool-based Artistic Solutions, which leads through the location’s immaculate gardens and showcases festive scenes including a nativity, a snowman parade, Christmas trees and the North Pole.

Daniel Brobbel, from Artistic Solutions, said: “It’s been really nice to work with Ushaw on this.

"It has been a real highlight of our year, and we look forward to doing more with them in the future.”

Hartlepool artist Stuart Langley, meanwhile, has transformed Ushaw’s façade into an kaleidoscope of colour by installing neon artworks into the building’s many windows, creating a giant illuminated advent calendar.

He has also designed a series of stained-glass windows that are hung in the trees surrounding the building.

Stuart said: “The idea behind the installations is to create digital content for projects and neon artworks based on Ushaw itself, so we’re hoping to give people a glimpse into the vast array of culture and art of this place.

“I feel very fortunate to be able to exhibit my art here at Ushaw again.

"It’s just nice for people to be able to come and enjoy the surroundings and see a little bit of magic, and maybe see a little bit of hope at a time when things are difficult.”

The latest activities at the former Catholic seminary have been supported by the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage and are delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England using funds provided by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Lucy Jenkins, Ushaw’s director of culture and heritage, said: “We’ve never done anything on this scale before and the response has been amazing. It’s really given us a taste of what we could do in the future.”

Illuminating Ushaw runs until Sunday, December 20, from 4pm-8pm and entry costs £5 per adult with under 16s free and special discounts for local residents.

Parking costs £3 per car. Visit ushaw.simpletix.co.uk to purchase tickets.

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