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Empty lots become creative spots

VACANT shop windows on Market Street in Newcastle have been put to good use to promote the city and display the home-grown creative talent in the region.

Newcastle’s business improvement company, NE1 has teamed up with the City council to offer temporary exhibition spaces for students studying in the area and recently launched a competition for the windows where they asked first and second year Newcastle College students produce artwork to represent “Their Newcastle”.

Over 45 entered the competition and the judges from NE1 eventually selected the work of Tynemouth based, Ashleigh Patterson, a 19 year old first year student for her typography inspired entry.

Commenting on the project, Stephen Patterson, NE1’s commercial manager said; “NE1 came up with the idea when trying to decide how to improve the look of Market Street and realised that the large shop windows would provide an ideal exhibition space.

“While the shops are empty, showcasing new talent and promoting Newcastle’s quality and diversity of offer was too good an opportunity to miss.’

“The work has been in place for several weeks and has livened up the area and has received a positive response from the public.”

Ashleigh’s winning design was based around three panels of quotes all presented in speech bubbles highlighting what people say is great about Newcastle. Each panel was devoted to three areas of Newcastle life, one the arts, the other shopping and finally the nightlife.

Her work is now being exhibited in the windows of the former Envy store on Market Street and will remain in situ for at least six months.

Earlier this year, NE1 teamed up with Boots, the Monument Mall and the Globe Gallery to arrange the installation of the Simon Donald- backed Crunch exhibition at the old Boots store at the monument

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .