Goodbye Carliol House

It's been on the cards for a while now, but the time has officially come for The NewBridge Project to move from Carliol House and into its new home, The Shieldfield Centre. 

Packing has been a time consuming and onerous task but today I put my last bag of studio rubbish in the bin and handed in my studio key. It seemed really strange to pack the van with all my belongings and wave goodbye to it until we get our lease in mid June. 

Huge thanks to Lucien, Jon, Ruby and Rebecca (who have permission to be in our new premises) for unloading and depositing my studio belongings into my new space. I look forward to having a studio again with the luxuries of central heating, hot water, and toilets that are fully functional!

New Year, New You: Mini Crits

New Year, New You: Mini Crits
Thursday 9 January 2020, 6-8pm

The NewBridge Project : Newcastle, Co–Work Space
Free, members only



I'm looking forward to taking part in the New Year: New You mini crits session that will take place in January next year at The NewBridge Project. Various members of The NewBridge Project will deliver 5 minute presentations relating to their artworks or research at any stage of development. The friendly audience will provide insight and offer guidance.

Alphabet Series drawings installed in White Cube Space at The NewBridge Project, Newcastle

ODD COMBO - marginendeavour discuss collaboration - Wednesday 6th November - 6-8pm, The NewBridge Project: Newcastle

Odd Combo
Wednesday 6th November
6-8pm
The NewBridge Project : Newcastle
Free

Odd Combo: How to make working together work.

Whether you've been practicing collaboratively for years or don't know where to start, this informal and open forum will explore the nuts and bolts of collaborative and collective practice.

The event will be a roundtable discussion introduced by artists Theresa Poulton, Jill Tate, and Matt Pickering, and is an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with other artists with a shared interest in working collaboratively and collectively.

We will be joined by artists Helen Shaddock, David Foggo and Lesley Guy who will share their own experience and learning from their work on collaborative projects. We welcome individuals with any level of experience or interest in collaborative practice to join the discussion or listen in.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided!

Once Upon a Space, exhibition by Helen Edling, Kat Auld and Sarah Tulloch

ONCE UPON A SPACE
GOLDTAPPED, The NewBridge Project, Newcastle upon Tyne
5th - 16th August
Finnisage 6 - 8pm 15th August

During a 14 day residency in the gallery Helen Edling, Kat Auld and Sarah Tulloch worked together as part of artists’ collective Once upon a Space. 

The three artists work with found, ephemeral and contingent materials and explore everyday and unexpected playful juxtapositions of material. The photographic and the sculptural are preoccupations as is the ‘drawn’ line whether that be explored through 3d pens, ink or the scalpel knife. 

Auld works with ephemeral projects and photography, Edling with sculpture and drawing and Tulloch with collage and video. 

The artists focused on rhizomic forms including plant roots and 3D pen technologies.

 

The artists wanted to blur the boundary between artist and audience, to encourage participation but also to allow unexpected things to happen and work in a way that was open to that chance element. They encouraged other artists in the building to participate, for example by touching, re-arranging and commenting on the work. 

The gallery is located the heart of the studios; meaning that most of the visitors and studioholders walk through it to reach their destination. I found it fascinating to witness the presence of the artists working away in the gallery as I moved through the space on numerous occasions to and from my studio. This encouraged interaction and dialogue, and I had some really meaningful conversations with the artists as they worked. 

I also benefited from getting an insight into the working practice of one of the NewBridge studioholders (Sarah Tulloch) and being introduced to some new artists (Helen Edling and Kat Auld). It is rare for any of the NewBridge artists to have exhibitions in the gallery, and so was really useful to learn more about Sarah's practice, gain a better understanding of her areas of research and further the possibilities for constructive dialogue in the future. The setup of the exhibition made for an interesting model that could be repeated.

As for the work itself, I was taken by their approach to materials, the use of the cardboard, the juxtaposition of colours and expanded drawing practices. Process was integral to the work.

Exhibition invite - David Foggo and Helen Shaddock - new work - White Space, Carliol House - 6-8pm, Thursday 15th August 2019

6-8pm
Thursday 15th August 2019
White Space, The NewBridge Project, Carliol House



David Foggo and I have installed an exhibition in the White Space in Carliol House to coincide with the closing party of Once Upon A Space in the GOLDTAPPED gallery.

Join us to see the results of an experimental process of hanging our independent works in the same space, forming connections between works and making collaborative installation decisions.

In the GOLDTAPPED Gallery, artists Katrin Auld, Helen Edling and Sarah Tulloch have been working together as part of artists’ collective Once upon a Space for a 10 day residency. They will be presenting the results of their residency.

Collage punch will be served...

Location: NewBridge Studios, Carliol House, New Market Street

The NewBridge Project Annual General Meeting - 6-8pm - Thursday 29th November 2018

The NewBridge Project
Annual General Meeting

Thursday 29 November, 6-8pm
The NewBridge Project, Carliol House Co-Work Space

You are invited to The NewBridge Project’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday 29 November, 6-8pm in the Carliol House Co-work space. 

The AGM will be an opportunity to hear about NewBridge’s activities over the last year, to discuss plans for the future, and to hear more about some artist members work through a series of short presentations. I'll be talking about my Voices: Within and Without project that was funded by Arts Council England.

Staff, members, artists, volunteers, funders, partners and members of the public are invited to join the meeting.

There will be time at the end for drinks and socialising, and there will be cake!

The hunt for a new Director for NewBridge has begun

Job Opportunity: Director

Deadline: Wednesday 25th July 2018, 12pm




The NewBridge Project is looking to appoint a dynamic Director to lead the organisation going forward.

The Director will oversee all elements of NewBridge’s operations and activities including: strategic development, building development, fundraising, artistic programme, facilities management, company & finance and audience development & engagement.

NewBridge was established as an artist-led initiative in 2010 and at its core remains a strong artist community. As such, a key element of the Director’s role will be to strategically steer the organisation while ensuring it remains responsive to artists, contemporary visual arts practice and its locality (Newcastle & Gateshead).

The NewBridge Project is at an exciting and pivotal point in its development as we look to secure long-term building solutions for all our activities. We are looking for an exceptional and ambitious individual who can navigate this process, articulating and achieving a collective vision while moving towards a secure and sustainable future for the organisation.

The role will be ideally suited to an individual who is looking for a new challenge; will bring energy, enthusiasm and determination to the role; has a unique understanding of working with and supporting artists; who thrives working in collaboration as well as under pressure; is highly motivated and organised, a strategic thinker and problem solver; and someone willing to get stuck in with all that comes with running an artist-led initiative.

PHOTO: Kuba Ryniewicz


Director of The NewBridge Project, Charlie Gregory will be leaving the organisation to take up a new role with Create as The White House Curator. Charlie will be stepping down after 5 years as Director at the beginning of August 2018 and will take up her new role in late August 2018.


Julia Bell, Chair of NewBridge said:
“We are incredibly thrilled for Charlie and the fantastic opportunity she has ahead of her, the Board of Trustees wish to thank her for all her hard work and commitment to The NewBridge Project. Her work has been outstanding and her impact on the organisation has been substantial, she should rightly feel proud of what she has accomplished. It has been a pleasure as a Board to watch her grow into not only an accomplished Director but also a strong and generous cultural leader for the North East visual arts sector who is deeply respected by her peers. She will be sorely missed, we can’t deny that, but we wish her every success and as a Board commit to appointing a successor who can build on the strong foundations she has built for us as an organisation.”

Charlie Gregory said:
“NewBridge has been my home for 5years and has given me so many wonderful experiences, memories and friendships – it has been a difficult decision to leave such a remarkable community of artists, staff, partners & collaborators; an ambitious programme of exhibitions, commissions, community projects and artist development; as well as my home turf, the North East.

During the time I’ve been part of NewBridge, I’ve seen it grow into an amazing and incredibly strong artist community and organisation: It’s move from Norham House (its base for over 7 years) into two news sites Carliol House &  Gateshead High Street; achieving Arts Council National portfolio status; securing revenue funding through Newcastle Culture Investment Fund; developing a partnership with Newcastle University to deliver bespoke graduate support through The Collective Studio; gaining charitable status with a strong and supportive board of trustees; establishing many initiatives and opportunities to support artists to develop their practice and careers such as Practice makes Practice; and moving towards securing a long-term premises to house all these activities.

I am excited to be moving onto a new role with Create, an organisation I greatly admire and respect. The role will allow me to pursue my passion for supporting artists to explore different models of collaborative arts practice embedded within a community context. The White House is unique in providing a space where artists and communities can experiment, think, play and ultimately create new ways art can form part of our everyday lives. I look forward to helping develop a collaborative vision and an artistic and community resource that has real impact.

NewBridge will always mean a lot to me, I truly believe it in, its ethos, its value and everything it does for artists in the North East and beyond. It is now ready for someone else to take the reins – if you are up for the challenge, watch this space!”

Studio taking shape

Before heading to Banff I moved my art materials and furniture into my new studio at Carliol House, but did not have the chance to sort it all out. I ordered some shelving units so that they would be waiting for me on my return. Last week they were, indeed, waiting for me to assemble (ah the joys of flat pack furniture) and put to good use. 

With the assistance of my very kind and capable parents, we erected the shelving units and positioned them ready for use. I couldn't resist testing out the shelves, but will need to spend some time sorting out the boxes.

Raise A Mug for NewBridge Studio warming at Carliol House

Thanks to all the NewBridge studio holders who joined Holly and I for a cuppa and slice of cake in celebration of the NewBridge move to Carliol House. It was lovely to have a moment to relax with friends and enjoy the warmth of our new home!

There are still some people who have mugs to collect - the wrapped mugs are on the tea trolley outside my studio (next to the NewBridge office). They are all labelled with names, so please feel free to pick up yours.



For anyone who missed the opportunity to purchase a tea towel, please get in touch and we'll be happy to get one to you for the bargain price of £5.

Studio Setup

On Saturday night I go away to The Banff Art Centre for a two-week Spoken Word residency. Amongst all the preparations for my visit I have been trying to get my studio sorted. I've finished painting the walls, cleaned and hoovered, discarded some unwanted items and put my desk in place. I've ordered some shelving which should come while I am in Canada, and when I am back in the UK I want to bring in some plants and make it comfortable and as uncluttered as possible.

I've still got some way to go, but it's beginning to take shape.

I have moved

After weeks of watching (and helping) studioholders from the other floors move the contents of their studios downstairs and out of Norham House, today was my turn to use the van and move the contents of my studio to the new premises at Carliol House. 

Thanks to help from Charlie, Bronwen, Ian and Holly, the process only took about 4 hours, and so I spent the rest of the day giving the studio walls a third coat of white paint.

I'm looking forward to receiving the keys to the studio and setting up my space.

Welcome to my new studio at Carliol House

In October 2016, The NewBridge Project were given the upsetting news that Norham House, the birthplace and home of The NewBridge Project for the past 7 years, is going to be demolished and were given 6 months notice. The NewBridge staff worked incredibly hard to secure replacement premises to house the artists studios and programme.

A deal was made with our current Landlord, Motcombe Estates, to use one of their other premises, Carliol House. Located round the corner from our existing premises, Carliol House was the headquarters offices of the North Eastern Electricity Supply Company. It was built in 1924-8. The company was established as the Newcastle upon Tyne Electric Supply Company in 1889. The North Eastern Electric Supply Company was responsible for the supply of electricity to a large amount of North East England until the nationalisation of the British electricity industry with the Electricity Act 1947. A two year lease was signed to occupy the basement and first floor of the building, providing around 1,400 m2 of studio space, making and workshops facilities, and exhibition space to artists.

Over the past month studio holders have been moving out of Norham House and Dean and Joe from TILT have been building the new studios. They have made remarkable progress.

 

I have the van booked to move my stuff in on Saturday, but before then I want to give the walls a few coats of paint.

Another mug wrapped

Wrapped ready for transporting

As NewBridge studioholders steadily move out of our studios on NewBridge Street West and transfer everything to our new temporary home at Carliol House, Holly and I have been gathering mugs from people wanting to participate in our 'Raise A Mug for NewBridge' event.

We are wrapping each of the mugs in wrapping paper that we have made, transporting them to Carliol House, and will then reunite the artists with their mugs at a Carliol House Studio warming gathering. We will fill our mugs with a cup of tea (or alternative beverage) and raise our mugs to the next phase of NewBridge history.

This weekend we are busy wrapping the mugs that we have already gathered. We've got plenty more wrapping paper, so plenty more NewBridge Studio holders can can involved. Just leave your mug (with a label with your name) at the NewBridge office, on the tea trolley in the bookshop or give them directly to Helen and Holly.

Why a Newcastle city centre building colonised by artists will soon be empty again

Norham House, round the corner from the Odeon on Pilgrim Street, has been home to a thriving creative community

BY DAVID WHETSTONE

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/newcastle-city-centre-building-colonised-12687355

3rd March 2017

Artists who brought new life to one of Newcastle city centre’s giant former office blocks are packing up and moving.

Their final exhibition – called Moving On Up, Moving On Out – finishes on Saturday and that will be the end of Norham House as a cultural venue.

The building on New Bridge Street, opposite Newcastle City Library, is on the East Pilgrim Street site which the city council has earmarked for major regeneration.

Eventually it will be demolished like the old Odeon, on nearby Pilgrim Street, which was on the same site.

But it has brought into question the value of having clusters of mostly young artists and creative people in the centre of a university city which has long prided itself on its culture and vibrancy.

It was in 2010 that a pair of young fine art graduates were handed the keys to empty Norham House as part of a scheme to keep the city centre alive during the recession when a lot of development projects got put on hold.

Previously its five storeys had been occupied by lawyers and accountants. Now the artists invited others to join them, paying a peppercorn rent.

Norham House became better known as The NewBridge Project with a street level gallery and bookshop and a warren of studios, workshops and exhibition spaces.

It has run a programme of exhibitions, talks and other events and has been a popular destination during the annual Late Shows in Newcastle and Gateshead.

Charlotte Gregory, who studied fine art at Newcastle University, became director of The NewBridge Project in 2014.

She said the artists had been given six months’ notice to leave the building back in October.

“Norham House includes the bookshop and gallery and there’s also the Maker Space next door and the Alphabetti Theatre underneath,” she said.

“Then there are the 80 studios we have upstairs along with workshops, a dark room, a film lab and also a rehearsal space and project spaces.

“Nearly 100 people regularly work here but if you think of our public bookshop, gallery and events, there are a lot more people that benefit from these spaces.”

Charlotte said the eventual move had always been anticipated but that didn’t make it easier.

“I think it’s quite difficult for a lot of people because we’ve been here for nearly seven years now.

“It forms a big part of people’s lives because it’s not just a work space, it’s about a sense of community and being surrounded by a network of your peers.

“A lot of development work happens here and there are opportunities for commissions and exhibitions.

“It has sparked a lot of things for people, enabling them to continue their creative careers and remain in the city.

“A lot of our studio holders studied at Newcastle and Northumbria universities, and even at Sunderland, and have said they would have moved away if it hadn’t been for things like NewBridge because it’s affordable and there’s an openness.

“There’s a grassroots feel with the sense that anybody can get involved.

“So there was initially a lot of sadness and a sense of loss. But there has also been a sense of camaraderie. It has brought people closer together and there has even been a sense of excitement about creating the next space.”


It’s not the end for the NewBridge artists who have been given the chance to relocate to Carliol House, a Grade II-listed building in the same ownership on the corner of Market Street and Pilgrim Street.

“The landlords have been quite accommodating, allowing us to have that six months, and the council have been very supportive in helping with the relocation,” Charlotte said.

“For this building we’re signing a two-year lease. It’s slightly smaller so I think we’re going to have to use it in a slightly different way.

“But we have also been looking for a more secure space which would be sustainable for the longer term.”

Charlotte said places like NewBridge were “incredibly important” for cities such as Newcastle which boasted big cultural venues.

“If you have places like Baltic and Northern Stage you want young creative people to stay in the region and places like NewBridge allow a really experimental approach.”


Charlotte said The NewBridge Project had worked closely with Newcastle University and had commissioned a study by academic Dr Martyn Hudson, looking at the social and economic impact of its work.

This was launched at Norham House this week with high profile speakers supporting the idea of creative hubs in the city centre.

Sarah Munro, director of Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, said places like NewBridge were “absolutely critical” to Baltic and an important constituent of the region’s cultural scene.

They ensured a community of artists with a “high quality practice” and a culture of experimentation.

Artists and smaller arts organisations she likened to bees. “They’re really tiny but you take them out of a system and it collapses.”

Hans Möller, innovation director of the North East LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership), said “creative people doing creative things” were important economically and socially.

“Creative/digital is one of the sectors we’re focusing on because you can get access to funding for it,” he said.

“We need to be better at supporting start-ups in the digital sector.”

John Tomaney, professor of urban and regional planning at University College London but based in the North East, suggested the value of places like NewBridge shouldn’t be measured purely in economic terms.

“The biggest problem facing Newcastle and the North East is a problem of civic disenchantment which was best expressed in Brexit,” he argued.

“In terms of the impact and value of NewBridge, rather than its economic value we should be asking, ‘What does it contribute to the city and region as a decent place to live for the majority of people?’

“It’s a massive, massive question but worthy of discussion.”

Earlier Tom Warburton, director of investment and development at Newcastle City Council, said: “They have really worked hard, the artists there.

“They have been on low rents but they have created quite a creative fulcrum so, from the council’s point of view, we’ll continue to liaise with them to keep the vibe going.”

But the council, while it doesn’t own the buildings, is keen to see the redevelopment of East Pilgrim Street which it regards as one of the most strategically important in the north of England.

It, of course, will benefit from the business rates paid by the eventual occupants of the Northam House area which has been earmarked for retail development.

Norham House, like other buildings on the East Pilgrim Street site, is managed by Motcomb Estates on behalf of Taras Properties, a company owned by David and Simon Reuben, billionaire property developers.

A spokesman for Motcomb Estates’ agents in Newcastle, GVA, said no date had been announced for the demolition of any of the buildings but the work would be phased.

Meanwhile the artists keep ducking and diving, adding colour and variety to urban life.

For more about The Newbridge Project go to www.thenewbridgeproject.com

Mug collection has begun!

Many thanks to the wonderful studio holders who have provided us with a mug each from their studio. We will wrap the mugs in our bespoke handmade wrapping paper, and we'll safely transport them to their soon to be new home at Carliol House. The mugs will be reunited with their owners at our studio-warming gathering once we have all moved in.

NewBridge studioholders - we need your mugs!

Now that the NewBridge community tea towels have arrived (and are quickly proving to be a big hit on the Newcastle high street), it is time to turn to the next part of our project - getting ready for the studio warming welcome drink that we are sure we will all need after the move. 

We hope that NewBridge studio holders and staff moving to the next building will give us (temporarily) one of your studio mugs to protect and wrap (in custom-made wrapping paper), transport to the new building and return to you (filled with a drink!) at the Carliol House studio-warming event.



Please label your mug with your name so that we know who it belongs to, and leave it either on the tea trolley in the NewBridge Bookshop, with the staff in the NB office, or with us (Helen Shaddock and Holly Wheeler) when we are in the Project Space on Saturdays between 1-4pm and for Tea and Toast on Wednesday mornings before 10am.

The tea trolley is ready and waiting for mugs

Now that the NewBridge community tea towels have arrived (and are quickly proving to be a big hit on the Newcastle high street), it is time to turn to the next part of our project - getting ready for the studio warming welcome drink that I am sure we will all need after the move.

We hope that NewBridge studio holders and staff moving to the next building will give us (temporarily) one of your studio mugs to protect and wrap (in custom-made wrapping paper), transport to the new building and return to you (filled with a drink!) at the Carliol House studio-warming event.



Please label your mug with your name so that we know who it belongs to, and leave it either on the tea trolley in the NewBridge Bookshop, with the staff in the NB office, or with us (Helen Shaddock and Holly Wheeler) when we are in the Project Space on Saturdays between 1-4pm and for Tea and Toast on Wednesday mornings before 10am.