Bright Lights switched on for a showcase of the best of visual art
The best of visual art created by young Wearsiders has opened at Arts Centre Washington.
Bright Lights: Youth Arts Festival is an annual exhibition by people aged 13-25 from acrossSunderlandwhoco-produceandruntheirownculturalevents,workwithartistsand learn new skills.
The festival is supported by SunderlandCultureandcurated by the Celebrate Different Collective.Theexhibitionruns until April 2 and is in the main gallery.
The venue is also hosting a range of events during halfterm.
Events include:
Tuesday, February 22: Poems of Town, a documentary about the 2021 music project where a group of young people wrote a new EP with Field Music and poet Paul Summers.
Wednesday, February 23: Free Bright Lights young artists workshop for youngsters aged 13 or over, followed later byWashingtonYouthTheatre’s 40-minute self-written play, Little Timmy Starts a Revolution.
Thursday, February 24: Creative Me Workshop, a wellbeing session designed to provideafriendly,creativespaceto explore painting, printing and collagetechniques.Anylevelof ability is welcome.
Friday, February 25: A free songwriting workshop organisedbySunderlandMusicHub. Right Track, a group of young musicians and songwriters, will advise 12-and-overs on how to write songs. The music will then be performed at a gig.
Saturday,February26:Free Planet Earth Workshop for families and young people, using recycled materials and led by local artists, raising awareness of the climate crisis.
One artist whose work is featured this year is Kai Dixon,
17,whoisstudyingforaBTecin digital art at Sunderland College’s Bede Campus.
Kai said: “The college encouraged us to submit some of our art to Bright Lights, and I have two digital pieces as part of the exhibition.
“One of my pieces is called SelfMadeManandisaboutmy journey as a transgender man. My second piece, Dysphoria is abouthowIfeelaboutmybody.
“I’m proud my work is on show and that through my art I can address some of the media
misrepresentation about the transgender community.”
MattBlyth,audiencedevelopment officer, at ACW, said: “We hope as many people as possible will pop along to see what amazing young talent we have on Wearside.”