A THRIVING arts group for adults with learning disabilities is looking forward to an exciting 2013 after finding a permanent new home.
Ocean Arts was established at St Michael and All Angels Church in Westoe Road, South Shields, by a small group of enthusiastic volunteers in late 2011.
Its remit expanded last October when the organisation was awarded an £8,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.
Now the group has a permanent base at Trinity House Social Centre at Laygate.
Meanwhile, members have joined forces with Durham University to mark the event.
In the summer the Lindisfarne Gospels, one of the greatest pieces of art in the world, will go on exhibition in the North East.
Ocean Arts is using the gospels as inspiration for a series of art projects, including a dramatic piece penned by the group’s patron of arts, Dave Walker, also know as ‘Alternative Historian’ Erasmus Bottle.
Activities will also include a series of field trips to Lindisfarne, Bede’s World and Durham.
Jackie Fielding, Ocean Arts founder and drama tutor, said: “We are also now official partners with Lindisfarne Gospels Durham and we will be representing South Shields in what has been described as the ‘cultural event of the decade’.
“We will be working to enable our members to make a valuable and personal contribution to this important event. It shows that adults with learning difficulties can make a major contribution to events such as this.”
At a gathering at Trinity House yesterday, Sarah Price, from Durham University, gave an illustrated talk on the importance of the Lindisfarne Gospels.
Twitter@shieldsgazpaul
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