Angel’s anniversary marks start of digital love letter to all things art in Gateshead.

Launching this weekend, A Heart to Art features 26 short films captured by people living in Gateshead highlighting their interests and how they’ve kept creative during lockdown.

In the online love letter to Gateshead and art there’s a mixed bag of passions from textiles and pottery to Norman Cornish and ukulele with a dash of yodelling thrown in.

We've worked with artist Anton Hecht to creare the A – Z in partnership with Gateshead Council’s Art Diamonds. It showcases different art techniques and themes. You can view the full gif wall here.

Jos Forester Melville from our team has been supporting people to remotely capture and send in the 26 short films using mobile phones and online video platforms.

She said: “This is the third A-Z we’ve developed and each time we get a really creative and varied snapshot into people’s lives, their interests and the things important to them.

“Despite lockdown and the barriers to being together, we’ve been able to think creatively about how we continue to support people used to benefiting from being creative. A Heart to Art showcases some of the fantastic ways locally people are exploring their imaginations while getting out physically is restricted.”

Over the past year keeping connected through creativity has been more important than ever, as people experience feeling isolated from relatives and loved ones during the pandemic.

Councillor Angela Douglas, Cabinet Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, said: "We are delighted that some of our Art Diamonds can be involved in creating the A-Z Heart for Art films with Equal Arts. They have so many talents and throughout the pandemic this group has helped all of its members stay connected and creative. This is yet another great opportunity for our Art Diamonds to showcase their skills and love of art from creative writing to flower arranging and jewellery making. What better way to start the A-Z than with A for Angel as February is the Angel of the North’s birthday."