Open Quay: North Shields holds its first open-studios weekend

At the end of September North Shields tried something new. Open Quay, billed by North Tyneside Council as the town's first ever open-studios weekend, invited people behind the scenes of the studios, workshops and galleries that have been quietly filling the old buildings between the river and the town centre.

What Open Quay was

The weekend ran on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, generally from 11am to 4pm. According to the council's announcement, more than 40 artists took part across over 20 venues, spread from the Fish Quay up to Howard Street and from Northumberland Street to Nile Street.

The range of work on show was broad: stained glass, sculpture, painting, ceramics, photography, textiles and illustration, along with vinyl record pressing. As well as exhibitions and live demonstrations there were hands-on workshops, and family activities covering LEGO, pottery, basket weaving, printmaking and animation.

The Cultural Quarter behind it

Open Quay was organised by the North Shields Cultural Quarter, a Culture and Creative Zone funded by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and North Tyneside Council. The Cultural Quarter describes its aim as growing the town's creative economy to help regenerate the town centre, and it offers free training for creative practitioners and businesses as well as funding projects and events.

Councillor Charlie Gray, cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, described the weekend as "a celebration of the creativity that runs right through North Shields."

What comes next

No details of a second Open Quay have been announced yet. The Cultural Quarter's website is the place to watch for its next events, and it lists an email contact for creatives who want to get involved. We will report on any future Open Quay dates once they are confirmed.

Did you visit Open Quay? Tell us which studios you enjoyed.