News on Newcastle High Streets

A pop-up exhibition of 25 giant wreaths will be on display outside East End Pool, on Friday 15th December. The wreaths have been made as part of an arts residency on Shields Road, to highlight the diversity of businesses and bring a bit of festive cheer. Artists Sally Southern and Nicola Lynch have selected a number of shops and business, working with the owners and staff to create wreaths made from products reflecting their shops.

This was an extension of an earlier residency where the artists photographed business owners and their wares. It culminated in a large scale mural for Byker Metro, promoting the fact ‘You Can Find It All On Shields Road’! The artists wanted to show that despite the reputation of Shields Road - the many social problems and negative associations - a wide range of fabulous businesses still exist there. These range from fantastic cafes, restaurants and fast food establishments, to specialist shops with a long history on the road.

Artists Sally and Nicola wanted to work with the businesses to create something festive and fun that celebrates the street and highlights the vast range of goods to be found there. They hope the wreaths will be viewed with humour and good spirit. Many of the wreaths feature ‘unusual’ ornaments to reflect the individual shops they represent, you can see a sneak peak of some of the wreaths in the video below.

All the wreaths can be viewed (weather permitting) in one location in Hadrian Square from 2pm-5pm on Friday 15th December. After the 15th December the wreaths will be returned to the businesses and shops along the Shields Road to be displayed in the run up to Christmas.

There will also be a chance to win several of the wreaths through a raffle, including a giant crisps and chocolate bar wreath (Littles News), a sparkling, silver ornamental wreath (Lackys Right Choice), two wreaths festooned with biscuits and delicious treats (Sultans Supermarket and Sabor Mediterranean Restaurant) and a beautiful, traditional Winter Greenery wreath (Fantasia Florist).

You can pick up a raffle ticket from the shops displaying the specific wreaths, or at the display on the 15th, and the winners can claim and pick up their wreaths from December 23rd.