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Feedback Comments From The First Centenary Exhibitions

Below are a selection of comments received from visitors to the Norman Cornish Centenary Exhibitions.

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Behind The Scenes: Palace Green Library Exhibition opening November 16th

Following a series of detailed planning meetings, work by Norman Cornish is being gathered at Palace Green Library, Durham, where a selection of 50 of Norman’s extensive collection of sketchbooks will be exhibited along with some loose drawings, and completed paintings, linked to the drawings. The transfer of the sketchbooks from the Cornish archive at Northumbria University was co-ordinated by PhD student Lucas Ferguson Sharpe and Norman’s daughter Ann. Work has now started to consider the most effective methods of exhibiting the sketchbooks at this famous venue.

'The Art of Coal Mining' Project

Lyn Killeen, Sunderland Visual Artist has facilitated workshops for Southwick REACH members to learn new skills to create artwork inspired by Norman Cornish. As part of their recent project 'The Art of Coal Mining' the participants visited The Bob Abley Gallery, Spennymoor and The Mining Gallery, Bishop Auckland where they were clearly overwhelmed by the work and life of Norman Cornish. Subsequently, Lyn has designed a visual art workshop for the group to learn new skills; sketching and applying pastels to create artwork in response to Normans work and was delighted with the wonderful outcomes. An additional workshop was then arranged due to demand; to consolidate those skills and apply them to further works which Lyn once more was blown away by the results. Members are now truly inspired and are keen to participate in further visual arts workshops and projects.

'The Art of Coal Mining' was a project produced by Southwick REACH (Research Education Arts and Culture Home), a community organisation in Southwick, Sunderland that organises arts and cultural activities based on the interests of local people. Southwick REACH was set up after research carried out by University of Sunderland's 'Putting Southwick on the Map' project. As well as Visual Art the project included Museum and Gallery visits, Mining Story Telling session, Mining Folk Song session and Mining Artist Talks. The programme of events proved popular, attracting 65 participants in total. The project was curated by Artist Lyn Killeen and supported by Cultural Spring.

Southwick REACH core group members meet most Friday afternoons and are currently planning further arts and culture projects for the Autumn and 2020.

Norman Cornish Centenary Exhibitions - Prize Draw

We hope you enjoy your visit to the Norman Cornish Centenary Exhibitions at any one of the venues in County Durham and your feedback is much appreciated.

All completed online questionnaires will be entered in a Prize Draw and one lucky winner will receive a bespoke Norman Cornish framed reproduction as a prize at the end of the centenary celebrations. Closing date is 23rd February 2020 and the winner will be contacted by email.

Please visit:

Norman Cornish – A Centenary

Castlegate House Gallery represents the estate of Norman Cornish and on Saturday launched ...

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