Spotlight on former CCAD graduate Lauren Staley, 41 years old from Hartlepool. Lauren is a teacher, jewellery designer and creator of The Art House, Wintertide Festival’s newest creative attraction which see Lauren open up her home to visitors as a studio house space inviting members of the public to tour studios, attend workshops and other immersive experiences.

Lauren explains “visitors can walk through the entire house, there will be different artists and designers and their work in different rooms, with the workshops being held on the top floor in my art studio and talks being held in one of the empty bedrooms. It sounds a crazy concept but it is done all over the country.” Lauren said she is driven by her passion for the arts, she reflects “I am really passionate about championing the arts and the positive effect it has on people’s wellbeing and mental health, I witness this every day, whilst working in an SEMH school setting.”

CCAD

Lauren graduated from our Entertainment Design Crafts course during our days as CCAD and completed her degree specialising in costume design, looking back on this time she said “I was far from the perfect student, often leaving deadlines to the last minute and struggling to balance work, study, and an active social life. In my third year, I specialised in costume and was fortunate to be mentored by Gale, a legendary lecturer who guided and supported me throughout my final year. I still believe I wouldn’t have completed my degree without her patience and encouragement.”

She took her first steps into community art work soon after graduating, “I was lucky enough to lead community costume workshops with young people as part of the Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF). That experience ignited my passion for teaching and for working on community-based projects.”

Overall she described her university experience as “unforgettable” and thinks of the school as “a close-knit community of creative, supportive people who truly looked out for one another. I still visit the Northern School of Art sites for teacher CPD sessions and end-of-year shows, and each visit reminds me how inspiring that environment remains. If I ever win the lottery, I’ll be signing up for two more degrees! The facilities today are incredible, far beyond what was available back in the day.”

Artist & Teacher

After a number of years she moved to Brighton to study for her PGCE, “I had relocated to Brighton to train as a Design & Technology teacher. I was particularly drawn to the combination of creative and practical disciplines: textiles, wood, metal, plastics, and Art & Design.”

Reflecting on her career since qualifying as a teacher she said “next September marks twenty years since I began teaching Art & Design and various specialisms within Design & Technology. Over that time, I’ve held a range of teaching and managerial roles, primarily in schools and sixth forms across the South while living in Brighton. When I first graduated, money was tight, so I began creating jewellery and art to supplement my income. In my first year of teaching, a friend invited me to take part in her art club’s open house. I made laser-cut jewellery for the event, which turned out to be an incredibly rewarding experience — a celebration of creativity that brought together people from all walks of life.”

After returning to Hartlepool she said “I’ve continued teaching while also delivering workshops and selling my jewellery at wonderful local events such as The Make & Mend Festival, the Festival of Thrift, and the Wintertide Festival. My interests have evolved over time, but I always return to jewellery making and delivering workshops in Jesmonite, textiles, and printmaking, my enduring specialisms.”

Last year, I moved to the beautiful Headland, where I’ve been happily immersed in decorating and interior design — a long-held passion of mine. It has been incredibly rewarding to finally create a space that reflects my personality, though I’m learning as I go and am far from an expert. My Instagram account, @colourfulkitschchaos, shares both my creative tips and the occasional decorating mishap.”

The Art House & Wintertide

The idea for the Artist Open House happened “awhile back, one of the Wintertide organisers asked if I would be interested in joining an artist trail, where visitors could peek inside artists’ studios. I suggested expanding the idea into an artist open house event, to offer visitors a more immersive experience. I loved the thought of people being able to discuss work directly with artists, watch live demonstrations, and take part in short workshops all within an informal, welcoming setting.”

What can visitors expect from the Artist Open House? Lauren said “visitors to the house will be able to walk through the space, meet artists and designers, and learn about their creative processes. In the kitchen, we’re setting up a community board where local creatives and organisations can share information about upcoming workshops and events. My own studio is tucked away on the top floor — a small space where we’ll host a series of bite-sized workshops throughout the weekend.”

Speaking about her experience in with Wintertide she explained “I’ve attended the last two Wintertide Festivals, selling my jewellery under @plainjaynedesign at the makers’ market, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have such a vibrant event so close to home. While hosting The Art House means I may miss some of the incredible events, I’m excited by the opportunity to engage with visitors and share my passion for creativity.”

She said that “working alongside the talented organisers of Wintertide has been an incredibly inspiring experience. Following the event, I look forward to making bold creative decisions and engaging in more community-focused projects that will allow me to continue empowering others through art and design. My hope is to inspire people to embrace their creativity and challenge the belief that “I’m no good at art” because it simply isn’t true.”