The Caravan Gallery, brainchild of artists and photographers Jan Williams & Chris Teasdale, will arrive in Blyth town centre on Tuesday, 12th July.

The exhibition contains a selection of their photographs from a recent visit to Blyth as well as thought-provoking observations of other towns, places and communities across the UK. 

 

The public is being encouraged to pay the caravan a visit in one of the multiple Blyth-based locations it will tour to including South Beach, Ridley Park, and Market Place over the course of the week to talk about what makes Blyth special.  

 

The Caravan Gallery artists are eager to meet local people and invite them to contribute to a large-scale participatory exhibition, the ‘Blyth Pride of Place Project’, which will take place in Keel Row Shopping Centre in September 2022. 

 

Jan Williams said: “We are so excited to be visiting Blyth and explore this historically rich town. We hope that residents and visitors in Blyth will enjoy looking at our photographs and be inspired to share their own personal stories, insights and artwork.  

 

“We believe everyone is creative and can’t wait to discover and celebrate local talent in Blyth.’’  

 

The Caravan Gallery tour is only the first stage of the Blyth Pride of Place Project. The larger exhibition will be in Keel Row Shopping Centre throughout September and October and will showcase items created and loaned by members of the public including paintings, photographs, poetry, objects, memorabilia, music, stories – all with a Blyth connection. 

 

The cultural activity is part of the £70m regeneration programme, Energising Blyth, to revitalise the town over the next five years delivering new jobs and learning opportunities and helping to drive the green energy revolution in the UK.  

 

Councillor Wojciech Ploszaj, Cabinet Member for Business, said: “The Energising Blyth programme is vital to developing Blyth from a business, educational and cultural perspective.  

 

“The Caravan Gallery’s Blyth Pride of Place Project is a fantastic opportunity for the community to get involved and showcase their personal stories and images of the area.  

 

“This is only one activity that is happening as part of our culture and placemaking programme we have planned for Blyth; the public can expect a lot more cultural pursuits in the coming months and years. It’s a very exciting time for the people of Blyth.” 

 

Blyth Town Council, Mayor Warren Taylor, said: “It's fantastic to see The Caravan Gallery visiting us, we would love to see the community of Blyth come forward and get involved, take part, and uncover all the wonderful things about our town.”  

 

You can see The Caravan Gallery and take part by visiting one of the following locations: 

 

12 July Ridley Park  

13 July Market Place 

14 July South Beach 

15 July Market Place  

16 July Market Place 

 

You can also visit the Blyth Pride of Place Facebook group for timings and updates.