Talented creatives from School’s Hartlepool campus bring fresh perspective to the North York Moors with new digital art and wellbeing trail
A new digital art and wellbeing trail in the North York Moors is placing young creative talent at the heart of a unique collaboration between the National Park Authority and The Northern School of Art.
Entitled ‘Wander’, the trail showcases 48 original artworks created by students studying a range of creative degrees and postgraduate courses at The Northern School of Art’s Hartlepool campus. Accessible via QR codes located at ten locations across the National Park, the trail invites visitors to explore the North York Moors through the eyes of a new generation of artists, encouraging people to slow down, reflect and connect with nature in creative and meaningful ways.
Spanning animation, illustration, photography, printmaking and mixed media, the artworks highlight the wide range of creative skills and talents of the students, alongside the richness of the North York Moors landscape. Many pieces incorporate subtle movement, such as drifting clouds, flowing water and gentle wildlife animation, creating immersive and calming experiences that blend art and environment. Wellbeing is a central theme, with students exploring mindfulness, relaxation and the positive impact of nature on mental health.
Matthew Burton, Senior Lecturer in Illustration at The Northern School of Art, said: “We were delighted to have been invited to contribute to the digital art and wellbeing trail. Our students have contributed a wide range of creative skills to the project, producing work that reflects the beauty and atmosphere of the North York Moors.
“By combining artworks with themes of wellbeing, they’ve created immersive experiences that encourage people to pause, reflect and connect with nature in a meaningful way.
“It’s been a fantastic opportunity for our emerging artists to engage with the stunning North Yorkshire landscape and share their creativity in such a positive way with visitors.”
For many of the students involved, the collaboration has been both creatively and personally significant.
Orion Joszki, a final year BA (Hons) Costume Interpretation with Design student from Darlington, whose watercolour work explores the emotional impact of colour in nature, said: “The environment is really important to me and I felt this opportunity was the perfect way for me to express that creatively. I was thrilled to have been chosen to be part of something that aims to highlight the beauty of the natural world and connect people to what’s around them.”
Other featured artists include Jasper Gray, currently studying on The Northern School of Art’s MA Design Practice (Illustration) course, whose illustration celebrates the coastal character of Robin Hood’s Bay and who commented: “I was excited to submit my work to the North York Moors wellbeing trail because I felt the brief really aligned with my illustration style and interests. I often love to take inspiration from the seaside in my work and Robin Hood’s Bay is one place I always come back to. I was thrilled that my proposal was selected as my life has felt very fast-paced lately and it gave me the chance to spend a while meditatively drawing, celebrating the beauty of this location.”
Second year BA (Hons) Fine Art degree student Queenie’s black-and-white photography encourages close observation of nature. She reflected: “I decided to submit my work for this as I have always gone to nature when my mental health has been bad and used photography as a tool to support being present with it, as you can’t take a photograph without being mindful of the fact something is worth capturing. If you are taking a photo it is because you are consciously making the decision to document a moment. Because of this, I felt as though this spoke to me.”
The digital trail includes an image of a hand-made quilted wall hanging, Threads of a Forest Floor, which reflects the textures of the forest floor with patchwork, embroidery and appliqué. Created over 200 hours by BA (Hons) Textiles and Surface Design degree final year student Kirsty Greer, from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, the intricate textile work invites mindful connection with nature.
“I was really excited and grateful to be selected for the North York Moors National Park Wellbeing Trail,especially when the trail is about wellbeing and the process of creating textile art helps my wellbeing,” Kirsty said. “It felt especially exciting to showcase work outside of Northern Ireland and get my name out there as an artist.”
Bern Horsley-Ling, a BA (Hons) Model Making and VFX degree student from Darlington, created an animated film called A Smol Life that follows two felted frog characters on gentle adventures. “I think the reason I make art at all is because it feeds my soul and gives me purpose,” he explained. “I treat Smol as sort of a recorded form of play, finding my inspiration in what I saw around Cod Beck and thinking about how my frogs would interact with it.”
Alfie Mallam from Billingham, a second year BA (Hons) Fine Art student submitted some atmospheric photographs inspired by artist Idis Khan that capture the North York Moors, showing both well-known landmarks and hidden corners. Reflecting on why he got involved he said: “The reason I applied for this opportunity is because I’m an avid hiker and have quite a solid connection with areas like the moors through my own experience of exploring them. It was a great feeling getting accepted as I felt I could show my view in the area which is something I was fond of doing, I have friends who also got accepted which made the experience even better.”
Lucy Strawberry, a BA (Hons) Illustration first year student from Northumberland, is an amateur mycologist and entomologist. She created digital illustrations inspired by her walks around Sutton Bank featuring moorland landscapes, insects and mushrooms, with interactive “can you spot it?” elements for younger visitors to explore nature and enjoy its calming effects.
“My work embodies everything I am passionate about, engagement in the arts and wildlife education. Being selected for this project felt like an amazing opportunity to create something interactive for people to enjoy,” she said.
Final year BA (Hons) Animation student Molly Jackson, from Hartlepool, created a watercolour and coloured-pencil illustration showing a person quietly enjoying the North York Moors. Using soft natural colours, her piece highlights the peace and clarity that being in nature can bring.
“I decided to submit my work because I was inspired by the moors and nature,” she said. “I also wanted to try and push myself to enter to prove to myself that I could do it and maybe succeed. So when my proposal was accepted I felt very happy, as the inspiration for this piece came from my very personal experiences, so it felt like I was being heard in a way.”
Sophie Lyth, Arts, Events and Wellbeing Manager at the North York Moors National Park Centre, said: “Wander opens up the landscapes and creativity of the North York Moors National Park to all, including audiences who might not usually visit galleries or traditional art spaces. The ten QR codes are located in popular and easily accessible locations, and all of the artworks can be viewed online, so people can enjoy them even if they can’t visit every site.
“Working in collaboration with these students has brought a fresh and inspiring perspective to the National Park, showing how art and the landscape can be experienced in new and inclusive ways.”
To see a map of the ten locations and find out more about the Wander art trail, please visit northyorkmoors.org.uk/wander-art-trail
Find out more about The Northern School of Art’s wide range of creative qualifications HERE
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