uproot

What happens when you organise an art festival but don't have your central exhibition space? Well, you decide to grow one!

So we’re all packed up and ready to grow. The last couple of weeks the warehouse has been filled with organised chaos left over from some pretty memorable events and projects which have filled this space over the last few years. Sound systems, cables, sticky tape residue and dusty things which have been in storage for quite some time; but exactly what you need when you need it. Chairs upon chairs stacked up in their lines. We've been sifting through it, ready to move out of the warehouse this May ahead of some much anticipated renovations; with those familiar nostalgic feelings throughout the whole process. 

The building is due to go under construction for the next 6 months and though we’re saying goodbye to the warehouse for the time being; you’ll still be able to find us working away in a special unit at The Hillstreet Shopping Centre. Let’s make space for growth!

On the theme of growth we’ve also had the main gallery space crammed with compost too. Why compost? Well, we’re making those seasonal preparations for a green fingered project we are working on for part of the MAW24 programme.  We’ve had soil piled high from floor to rafters, delivered by a bright and shining crane and an equally nostalgic delivery driver too. 

Over the next couple of months “8 schools and community groups across Middlesbrough are taking part in a special project for the Middlesbrough Art Week 2024…to grow an exhibition!

This project is directed by curator Claire Feeley and creative practitioner Sue Loughlin. 

“We are starting the planting process now, which involves the making of 200 mini meadows in individual crates sown with wildflower seeds. The individual crates will come together at a central Middlesbrough location at the end of September as one giant meadow.”

We look forward to watching this project grow, see you at MAW24!