When you walk into many luxury hotels these days, you’ll find their walls adorned with fabulous artwork. Seaham Hall is already home to several original works by some of the UK’s most renowned artists, but we wanted to do something to showcase the talents of our local community and celebrate the beautiful place we call home.
We partnered with Holder House CIC – a not-for-profit organisation that supports those with learning difficulties and disabilities throughout South Tyneside. Their team are regularly looking for new ways to work with their clients and engage them in meaningful activities, like art, to help support their personal development. The decision was made to create an entire collection of artwork that focused on our stunning North East coastline.
Before they could get started, the charity’s clients needed to visit the local beaches to gain inspiration. As well as soaking up the beautiful surroundings, the team experienced the feeling of sand beneath their feet and the refreshing sea breeze on their skin. They then sketched, took photos and enjoyed fish and chips before transferring their experience onto paper through paint, pastel and sketches.
Not only was the entire project thoroughly rewarding (and heaps of fun) the artwork the team created provides a unique insight into individual perceptions of the world, expressed in remarkable and beautiful ways.
All of their work is now proudly displayed in The Ballroom as part of an exhibition called ‘Our Awesome Coastline’ alongside pieces created by professionals, including our Art Curator and the Holder House Project Manager, Julie Anne Parsons, as well as fellow artists Anne Curtis and Keith Murdoch. What’s more, all of the artwork is also for sale, with all profits going back into the Creative Cabin Project to support its continuing success.
We’ll be displaying the artwork for the entire month of October. So whether you’re staying with us, or are simply in the local area, be sure to come on down and take a look!