Pop Up Ashington Group Hut

Time

12noon-3pm.

Drop in, no need to book. 

Price 

Included with Annual Pass. 

Suggested donation £1. 

The Pop Up Ashington Group Hut, designed by artist Imogen Cloët, is inspired by the hut in which the Ashington Group met to make and talk about their artworks. 

Over the six weeks of summer holidays, there will be a changing programme of activities: 

Saturday 19 July - Sunday 3 August: 

Create your own football pennant 

The North East's passion for football stretches across the whole of the region, whether you support Newcastle United or Sunderland AFC, or a local team like Ashington AFC, Bedlington Terriers or Blyth Spartans. 

Inspired by the painting 'Half Time at the Rec (Welfare)' by Oliver Kilbourn (1937), come and have a go at creating your own football pennant. 

Monday 4 August - Saturday 17 August: 

Home is where the hearth is 

At the centre of every miner's home was the kitchen and at the heart would have been the range. It would provide warmth and comfort on the coldest of days, as well as generating heat to cook meals, hot water for a cup of tea or to fill a tin bath to bathe in. 

Inspired by the paintings of the Ashington Group who captured these scenes of domestic life in their paintings, have a go at creating your own Victorian cooking range out of collage materials. 

Monday 18 August - Sunday 31 August:

What's in your bait box?

Dinnertime below ground was always something to look forward to. Having a break from the hard graft of digging for coal was always welcome. 

Every miner had his bait box which contained treats like door stopper jam sandwiches or bread and dripping to keep them going. 

What can you create to go inside your miner's bait box? Using the materials provided, collage over the drawing over the miner - don't forget a little charcoal for the face. Then decide what food your miner will eat for dinner and create it. 

These activities have been devised by artist Paul Merrick and inspired by art on display in the Ashington Group Gallery. 

A friendly member of staff will be on hand to help, but we ask that children are not left unattended and are supervised by an accompanying adult at all times. Grown-ups are encourage to have a go and get creative too. 

Supported by Arts Council England and Northumberland County Council.

This event is part of our Ways to Play programme of free and low-cost family-friendly activities.

Ways to Play is sponsored by Tyne and Wear Metro