Charity announce artwork plans for anniversary of General Strike

A Tyneside arts charity who have seen work displayed in South Tyneside are preparing for an exhibition to mark the centenary of the 1926 General Strike.

The team from North Tyneside Art Studio (NTAS) is working with Wisecrack Productions, whose play The Cramlington Train Wreckers is heading to Newcastle’s Theatre Royal this summer.

Written by South Shields playwright Ed Waugh, the play tells the story of striking Northumberland miners who mistakenly derailed the Flying Scotsman.

More than 30 people from the charity will participate in and contribute to the exhibition which will include large scale banners depicting individual and group responses to the story.

Paul Hillier, NTAS Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Cramlington Wreckers project gives our community a unique opportunity to explore creativity at scale, build friendships and confidence, and support positive mental health and wellbeing. Tens of thousands of people will see the display.”

The display will be available to visit in The Bridge Gallery at Tynemouth Metro Station between Sunday, June 27 and Sunday, July 12.

Jess Kinnersley, project lead, added: “This exciting exhibition is being developed by our Members looking for a connection to the event and how the universal themes of community and connection matter as much today as they did 100 years ago.

“We’ve been hosting weekly workshops for the past two months, exploring the story and using the theme ‘Broken Lines’, which helps people focus not only on the physical act of breaking the train lines but also, importantly, the human elements of the story.”