Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, has announced the beginning of their latest project, where they are seeking people to contribute their artwork to feature in a new exhibit.
Inspired by Norman Cornish and his work as an artist, Beamish would like to recreate one of his well-known pieces of art where he painted a wall in his old 1950s terrace house, No.2 Front Street, a house which is now owned by Beamish. The aim of the artwork is to bring the story of the Spennymoor Settlement to life through a combination of artists, writers and poets.
The two winners will be asked to attend the museum on Friday 16th of July 2021.
Details on how to enter can be found over on the Beamish website
Beamish is currently developing at Front Street terrace into its 1950s criteria, where visitors will be able to carry out the following activities:
- Get a haircut
- Buy and eat fish and chips
- Enjoy a visit to John's cafe – where you can listen to music via a jukebox
- Walk around the soon to be refurbished old house of famous North East artist Norman Cornish
On the newly created park area you will be able to:
- Take a shot on the putting green
- Watch a film at the cinema
- Visit a toy shop
Remaking Beamish Project Officer Lisa Kaimenas said: “We're really excited to be launching this activity, which will allow two visitors to create pieces of work directly onto the walls of No. 2 Front Street.
“Sarah, Norman's wife, told us that Norman could not resist the opportunity to paint the walls of their house before being wallpapered over, we want to do the same in our exhibit. As well as work created by the Cornish family and members of the community, two visitors will personalise the walls with their own creations, this will then be covered over with 1950s-style wallpaper to match Norman's house on Bishop's Close Street.
“You can paint, draw, write or colour something that captures your imagination and inspires you. As Norman was told, ‘paint the world you know'!
“This is a really unique and wonderful opportunity for visitors to make their mark on the building and create something that will stay at the museum forever.”
Son of Norman Cornish, John, said: “My father clearly couldn't resist the temptation of painting on his living room wall before it was redecorated. Now we are about to recreate that moment in the house at Beamish. Family members are really looking forward to leaving a lasting footprint on the house before it is wallpapered – a unique opportunity for us. We're delighted to see that the Beamish team will be inviting others to come along and join us in leaving their mark for posterity. Certainly the ‘Make Your Mark' activity will be really enjoyable and will add character to the home.”
“Not only will the house give visitors an insight into the living conditions experienced by thousands of miners' families in the 1950s, it will also highlight how my father managed to find a way to develop as an artist in a house that afforded such little space.”
Lisa went on to say: “We want everyone who contacts us for the Making Your Mark activity to be involved in this unique opportunity, so even if you are not selected to make your mark in No. 2 Front Street, we will contact you to submit a creative piece of work for display in our 1950s Town for all our visitors to see during the opening of Norman's house and the 1950s terrace.”
For more information about the activity please contact Lisa, email: lisakaimenas@beamish.org.uk.
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