“Staithes Stories” – Can you help?
As part of our programme of anniversary celebrations and made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the Pannett Art Gallery is exploring the hidden stories of the Staithes Group of Artists.
A National Lottery Heritage Fund grant has enabled the gallery to develop a programme of research into this group of important artists, who are not widely known outside our area. The Pannett Art Gallery team would love to hear from anyone who has memories of the Staithes Artists, or who remember stories passed down through their families. We are keen to hear about this group of artists who came to Staithes, Hinderwell, Runswick Bay, Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay at the end of the 19th Century, to live and work amongst the community. Do you know any hidden histories about locals who knew these artists or any tales about the artists themselves?
“It would also be really interesting to hear about what is was like for local people to suddenly have this group of creative, sometimes well off and bohemian artists setting up their studios and homes amongst the local hardworking fishing communities” says newly appointed Project Facilitator Bidi Iredale.
As well as looking for stories and accounts of the artists and the locals at this time, we are also looking for people to help collect these stories, to transcribe them or to help with presenting them in a number of ways. This could be a quiet back office activity or a more public facing opportunity, helping us to seek out and collect these anecdotes, or to spread the word about these wonderful artists and their link to our coast. “We have a variety of interesting ways people can be involved in the project” Bidi tells us.
If you have a story to share or are interested in becoming involved in this project, please contact the Pannett Art Gallery.
By phone: 01947 600933
By email: Pannett.gallery@whitbytowncouncil.gov.uk
