A town’s heritage and the creative talent which continues to flourish there will be celebrated in a new exhibition.
Experience Bishop Auckland opens at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Saturday 1st September and will feature archive photographs and lithographs of the town and surrounding areas.
The black and white images, from Durham County Record Office and the Historic England Archive, have been enlarged for the exhibition, and offer an insight into bygone days.
Many of the images feature places within the Bishop Auckland Heritage Action Zone, a five year project by Historic England and Durham County Council to use history to help boost the economy in parts of the town centre.
And just as Bishop Auckland continues to evolve so will the exhibition, with a series of Engage Workshops allowing the community to produce their own photographs, creative writing and mixed media projects to add to the display.
On Saturday 22nd September, from 10am to noon and Wednesday 26th September, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, photographer Louise Taylor will help people create their own photographic work based on images within the gallery.
On Wednesday 17th October, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, and Saturday 20th October, from 10am to noon, playwright David Napthine will lead creative writing workshops at the venue. Covering a range of styles, attendees will use words to convey the old and new pictures featured within the exhibition.
And on Saturday 24th November, from 10am to noon, and Wednesday 5th December, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, artist Vicky Holbrough will guide people to create eye-catching mixed media images. These will draw on the photographs and creative writing already produced, bringing together Bishop Auckland’s past and present.
Janet Strong, operations officer at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, said:
“This exhibition does more than shine a spotlight on Bishop Auckland’s fascinating past; it celebrates the talented and innovative people that live and work in the area today.”
“It also looks to the future as our rich heritage will help us to revitalise the town, drawing in visitors and boosting the economy.”
Experience Bishop Auckland runs until Monday 23rd December.
The Engage Workshops are priced at £2 per person and no prior experience is needed. They are suitable for people aged 12 and over, although children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult at the photography workshop.
To book, call 03000 269 524 or visit www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk
Walking tours linked to the exhibition will also take place on Friday 7th September, from 10am to noon, and Saturday 15th September, from 9.30am to 11.30am, as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days programme. To book a place, call 03000 269 524.
