Double tribute for young artists and a fisherman's legacy
Tynemouth exhibition celebrates young people’s art project and inspirational figure who backed the venture. Tony Henderson reports
A venture which uses art to help young people with diverse needs is celebrating the success of an exhibition which doubled as a tribute to one of the project’s most inspirational supporters.
Flow, a community interest company, has been based at the Old Low Light heritage centre on North Shields Fish Quay for 10 years, where it holds sessions three times a week for participants.
They created sculptures from a variety of recycled materials which went on show at the Tynemouth Station gallery, attracting widespread praise.
The exhibition was also a memorial and celebration of the life of retired fisherman Henry Howard, who was a staunch backer of Flow and contributed to the activity sessions. He died two years ago.
“We had really good feedback about the exhibition, which highlighted the work we do and the abilities of the young people who take part and how they benefit,” said Flow co-founder and director Claire Gladstone.
“It was also an opportunity to remember and honour Henry, who was such a supporter of Flow. He was a very special man who championed us.
“He was a lifelong fisherman and one of our greatest supporters, an advocate for and a cherished friend of Flow, whose spirit and inspiration is forever with us.
“With an unrivalled knowledge of the sea and incredible stories of adventures, Henry not only tirelessly raised funds for numerous exciting activities but also took the time to listen.
“As our gift and tribute for everything that Henry and his unquenchable energy gave us through the years, it is with great pride we dedicate this exhibition to his generosity.”
The North Shields Fishermen’s Heritage Project was set up in 2015 by Terry McDermott and Henry Howard to raise funds for a statue to remember the men who fished from North Shields.
The project volunteers chose a design submitted by Ray Lonsdale, from South Hetton, who also created the Seaham ‘Tommy’ sculpture. The design was inspired by a picture taken in 1960 by local photographer Harry Hann of a fisherman sitting pensively at the riverfront and titled The Salt.
Funding was raised in less than 18 months and in September 2017 the sculpture was officially unveiled, with the figure facing the sea at a site named Fiddler’s Green on the Fish Quay.
A memorial stone at the sculpture reads: “Erected by public subscription to the memory of those fishermen who lost their lives at sea.”
Henry Howard was also a valued member of the Association of Retired Fishermen and a volunteer for the Fishermen’s Mission.
It is hoped that the exhibition will now move to another Tyneside venue.
Claire said: “Flow is committed to facilitating, promoting and enhancing the future of young people with additional needs. We engage young people in creative and vocational opportunities in order to develop their skills and self-esteem.
“At Flow we embrace an individual’s unique skills and encourage the young people to reach their full potential through creative, relevant and enjoyable opportunities.
“Our young people are developing crucial skills for life which in turn is giving them further opportunities to succeed.”