An inspirational exhibition showcasing what pride means to the North East has opened at our Baltic Campus.
Emerald 55 is a powerful display which features artwork from our students as well as personal stories and photography around the subject of pride from people across our region. It’s the result of a year-long project which included more than 300 interviews, 18 workshops and the involvement of schools, other colleges and community groups.
The exhibition is the creation of Out North East, which staged last year’s month-long Pride festivals in Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead. As part of its commitment to creating a legacy, Out North East decided to get people’s personal feelings about pride in the wider sense.
“The whole purpose of the exhibition was to celebrate pride in who we are, where we live and the community we are part of,” said Peter Darrant, chair of Out North East.
“The stories that we’ve featured in Emerald 55 are an amazing mix – from people who have fled from war zones and in fear of their lives, to others who are just massively proud of the place they live or their football club. We hope the exhibition will strike a chord with everyone and that they’ll take the time to see it during February, which is also LGBTQ+ History Month.”
The many personal stories that are told as part of Emerald 55 include that of Ukrainian-born Dasha who fled when the conflict began and is proud of her new home in Gateshead to that of Imed, who had to leave Algeria in fear for his life and pride in the new home he is building in Sunderland.
North East drag queen Ophelia Balls shares her pride in her successful career, while Deb, who has a terminal illness is proud of the support group who helps her.
“There are so many amazing and heartwarming stories from across Sunderland, Gateshead and South Shields who are a real show of civic pride,” said Peter. “We don’t believe there’s anyone who will look at this exhibition and not be moved by the stories of courage, triumph and determination.”
Nadine Hudspeth, Director of Brand and Learner Experience at Gateshead College said “It’s fitting on the subject of pride to say how very proud, and privileged, Gateshead College is to provide a home for one of the Emerald 55 exhibitions.
“Our staff and students had the opportunity to get involved through the workshops and contribute to what has resulted in a powerful and moving set of stories, messages and artworks which reflect the wonderful diversity of our region and the people who live there. Emerald 55 promotes bringing people together to celebrate and understand each other better, values shared by us at Gateshead College and we’re looking forward to showing it off throughout February.”
After the exhibition ends a copy of it will be gifted to each local authority for their archives as well as to Queer Britain, the national LGBTQ+ Museum.
The exhibition can also be viewed at the Bridges, Sunderland, The Word, National Centre for the Written Word in South Shields and on Out North East’s website at www.outnortheast.org.uk where there is also an accompanying education pack available to download for schools wanting to stage their own exhibition.
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