Eco-themed May half term announced at BALTIC
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead has announced a busy programme of free, eco-themed activities for families this May half term.
Running from Wednesday (May 28) to Sunday (June 1), BALTIC’s Big Days Out: Re-make, Re-think, Re-use is inviting visitors to get hands-on with creative workshops that celebrate recycling and sustainability.
Highlights include a Repair Café, artist-led sessions, guided storytelling, and a special yard sale of pre-loved items from BALTIC’s own store rooms – including designer furniture.
The sale, taking place on Saturday, May 31, will raise funds to support the gallery’s charitable work.
Throughout the week, visitors can make rockets from old plastic bottles, swap toys and games at a Front Room exchange, and learn bike maintenance skills from North East Young Dads & Lads, who will also offer a free bike health check and skills track on Friday, May 30.
Amanda Rennison from BALTIC said the event taps into the growing public interest in second-hand culture and ethical spending. She said: “Thanks to online platforms like Vinted and the growing popularity of ethical spending, we’re seeing a huge increase in people recycling and reusing everything from clothing and toys to furniture and electricals.
“Baltic’s Big Days Out is all about finding the joy in re-making and re-using, and changing the way we think about recycling our pre-loved items. As the saying goes, ‘one man's trash is another man's treasure’, and our week long programme of eco-friendly events and activities provides families with lots of opportunities to transform discarded objects into new hand-made creations.”
Other events include daily Cereal Discos - a combination of a free breakfast club and music fun for families - and playful sessions in the Leap then Look exhibition, where children are encouraged to interact with tactile artworks.
All activities are free and unticketed. For full listings, visit baltic.art.