Here’s Your Seat  is a new, year-long project which is connecting people in the North East and the rest of the world. In particular, in Newcastle we are working within the communities of Byker, Walker – The Bostey, Echo Artists and Young Artist Collective.

Even Though We Can’t Be Near, We Can All Still Be Here.

This invitation is for YOU, because you are unique, and there’s a place reserved for YOU to join us.

Take a seat as we work together to create, share and make a song, a photograph, a poem, a film or whatever’s special or important to you. You don’t need any previous experiences/skills.

We’d love you to be involved, and join our creative community with us all at Skimstone Arts. We’ll be working virtually but connected, over phone and video calls.

We’ll create art together that will be celebrated at events, festivals, online and in and around your community.

Become part of our international gallery with your unique photo:

1. Choose an object that says something about you. Tell us why you have chosen it in a poem, song, video, photograph or a short story.
2. Sit in your favourite place, somewhere comfortable and hold your object.
3. Take a photo on your phone – you can use the timer or ask someone to take one.
4. The photo needs to be framed from your neck to your feet. (so not your head – see the photos above)

Please send us your photo/artwork when you are ready and they’ll be included in our ongoing international online gallery and also events throughout 2020.

Email your photos to us at claire@skimstone.org.uk

We have hold a first Here’s Your Seat event (Socially Distanced) on Tuesday 30th June 2020 in the Square outside St Michael’s Cross Cafe, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2AL.

You can have a look at the event and watch the video HERE.

Feedbacks:

“I loved the project because no one pushed me to do what i wanted when I was young but now I am able to push my daughter Angel through doing what she wants to do. I like the kids having fun but I am also having fun.” Indra – participant

“I found the task really hard at first but Kema made it easy for me. I’m having fun!” Angel – participant

“This project helped me during lockdown when I felt down, I’ve had a laugh. I just wanna get back to normal and work with Skimstone Arts in person but this has helped.” Loretta – participant

“Working with Skimstone Arts has really helped my practice – asking me to evaluate after every session really helps with planning and I now use this in my other projects. You can see the progress you’ve made with people we’re working with.” Kema Sikazwe (Associate Artist).

“We are absolutely delighted with everything that Skimstone Arts does. You click with a whole range of people in Byker – so quickly you land and be such loving people and build relationships with people. It was brilliant what you did with the Here’s your Seat event in Byker in June and see so many people involved.” Dave Johnson – Senior Youth Leader

“One of the thoughts that stayed with me after the session was that exhilaration the team felt at planning and carrying out a project at a time like that of the lockdown. I was wondering there is a great learning/ sharing opportunity there and wondered if you will be willing to co-write a paper.” Dr. Mihirini Sirisena, Research Associate,Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University 

To find out more visit us also on Facebook at Skimstone Arts Ensemble and Here’s Your Seat, Twitter, Instagram and here on the website.