Community and Education

This large-scale map project in Bishop Auckland united people across the community—from school children and disadvantaged groups to local residents—through art workshops that captured the town’s landmarks, architecture, and notable figures. Hundreds of individual artworks were digitised and printed into a vibrant tapestry, delivered to every household in the bishop Auckland area. Its public unveiling in a local retail space sparked conversation and pride, and subsequent use by the Bishop Auckland Town Team, Advent Windows Trail, Northern Heartlands Heritage Trail, and Bishop Auckland Town Hall ensured the map remained a touchstone of communal identity.

By inviting participants of all backgrounds to contribute, the project underscored how art can serve as a unifying force, enabling people to view their shared heritage and future possibilities from a collective vantage point. In turn, it strengthened bonds among residents, celebrated the town’s creative spirit, and reinforced the identity of Bishop Auckland as a place that values collaboration and cultural vibrancy.

This was a two-pronged project that once again involved people from the local area. Rather than creating a map, the goal was to design two fabrics:

A French-style toile, incorporating imagery from local residents to form the repeat pattern.
A Bishop Auckland Tweed, with community members selecting the colours and weave design.
The participants ranged in age from 4 to 84, attending specialized design workshops to help produce the toile de Jouy depicting their local area. I asked some of the Bishop Auckland residents to imagine what a Bishop Auckland Tweed would look like, and master weavers in a reputable Yorkshire mill brought their vision to life. Ultimately, 50 meters of each fabric were produced, and some of the Tweed was used by The Auckland Project for products sold in their gift shops.

I loved seeing the Bishop Auckland community’s designs become contemporary souvenirs for tourists. This is another way I aim to demystify the stages of design—from conception to final product—making it accessible to all. I love doing this with school children too, empowering them to understand and participate in the entire creative process.