Disused railway arches turned into public art
BBCDisused railway arches are being transformed into a public art project by community volunteers.
Seven arches on Askew Road in Gateshead, which were once home to local businesses, are being spray painted into murals to highlight culture and historical figures from the area.
One features the Angel Of the North poking through clouds, while another celebrates scientist Joseph Swann, who demonstrated the first working lightbulb and lived in Low Fell, and suffragette Emily Davidson, who spent time in Gateshead.
Artist Mark Shields, who works as Mark One 87, said the project was rooted in the community and he had been working with ideas from local groups and college students.
"The theme behind the whole project is pride of place so it's all about celebrating Gateshead past, present and future," he said.
One of the community groups helping with the artwork is the Gateshead Recovery Partnership, which supports people recovering from addiction.
Volunteer Annette said she was proud to play a part in creating the artwork.
She said: "It's given me a lot of gratitude to take part in something like this, because a couple of years ago there was no way without the partnership I would have been able to do anything like this."
The project is partly funded by the North East Combined Authority.
The completed set of artworks will also include tributes to the Blaydon Races, Gateshead Pride Festival and AC/DC singer Brian Johnson, who is from Gateshead.
Earlier this month the town announced it was competing for UK Town Of Culture 2028.
The contest, which runs alongside UK City of Culture, has a £3m prize with two runners up each receiving £250,000.
Councillor Gary Haley, deputy leader of Gateshead Council, said the project was another example of focus on local arts.
He said: "It's in our DNA, we've had culture in Gateshead since the turn of the millennium with all the developments on the quayside so it's something that feels really natural."
The government said the winner of UK Town Of Culture 2028 will be announced early next year.
