Animating Hexham is set to make its grand return this month, offering attendees a host of animated artworks created by local artists and children.
Queen’s Hall Arts presents the free event, with funding provided by Historic England on behalf of Hexham HSHAZ (High Street Heritage Action Zone), a project committed to rejuvenating Hexham’s historic town centre.
From February 9-11, visitors will experience Hexham's heritage through animated projections on shopfronts and key landmarks.
Among the featured works is 'It’s Home Isn’t It?' by Jennie Brewis, animated by Lily Mae Kroese.
The animation incorporates local voices and natural sounds to encapsulate the 'positive communal experience of Hexham'.
Jennie Brewis said: "How do you go about writing a song for Hexham?
"What stories do people have to tell, and how do you go about discovering them?
"Through a series of workshops in collaboration with amazing creatives, we recorded the voices of school children, community groups, and we even went to the pub!
"We found sounds in the buildings, the park, the river and trees.
"Using those stories and sounds, I aimed to write a song capturing the communal feeling of Hexham."
The Hexham Dragon animations will also premiere at this year’s event.
In 2023, Queen's Hall ran a writing competition for children to create a story about the Hexham Dragon. The winners and their classmates at Hexham First School and Sele First School then worked with professional animator Sheryl Jenkins to bring their tales to life.
Justine Overton, headteacher at Hexham First School, said: "We can't wait to see the finished piece!"
Katy Taylor, Queen’s Hall’s Artistic Director & Chief Executive, said: "After such a successful pilot back in 2021, we are delighted to be bringing Animating Hexham back and to have once again worked with an amazing cohort of local artists as well as inspiring young people and their teachers.
"The team have worked really hard putting this year’s selection together and we’re really looking forward to sharing it with our local community in another free event!"
The animations will be visible each night from 6pm-8pm.
For more information, visit the Animating Hexham 2024 map at queenshall.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here