Over a six week period artist Bethany Stead and local participants have been working together, making ceramic relief carvings and sculptural objects to create a frieze inspired wall installation of colourfully glazed works.

A CLASS ACT: BETHANY STEAD, MEGHAN DARBY, NAOMI DAVIES, RACHEL LARGE, ANDREW GILLYEAT, STELLA DUGDALE, SARAH GREGORY, LAURA ROBINSON, MASON ROBINSON, ROSE WALKER, IAN HORN, LINDA KING, DONNA LAMB

We looked at the dramatic scenes and symbolism of historical Greco-Roman friezes and sculptural architecture, alongside contemporary examples of ceramic artists.

Through making personal symbols, archetypes and imagery, our works explore social class and socio-economic barriers, specifically surrounding the North-East of England and the local community of Peterlee, be that class, sexuality, gender, race, age, and disability. We explored art, craft and materials in relation to local industries, and shared our personal family histories and working-class heritage.

From these discussions, and learning skills in ceramic sculpture and glazing, we collaboratively made a series of works that both individually and collectively symbolise our shared heritages, and a sense of working-class pride, highlighting forgotten labours of our ancestors, celebrating disability and emphasising the strength in our struggles.

Open weekdays, 9am - 4.30pm @ the Arts Café, Community House, SR8 5DP

If you have questions, or would like additional information, please email ellen@nomorenowt.org