Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall back in South Shields as she meets the illustrator behind new artwork in Arbeia bar

Jade Thirlwall has been back in her hometown of South Shields to accept a stunning piece of artwork celebrating the place where she grew up.
By Sophie Brownson
Published 7th Apr 2021, 15:52 BST
Updated 7th Apr 2021, 15:54 BST
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The Little Mix star paid a visit to her Ocean Road bar Arbeia on Tuesday, April 6, to meet illustrator James Dixon, who has created a large-scale South Shields print for the venue.

The striking print by design company Lines Behind was a hit when it was first released last year featuring celebrities, landmarks and other South Tyneside institutions.

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Jade and Little Mix bandmate Perrie Edwards were among those who featured in the print, which also pays homage to the likes of Minchella and Marsden Rock.

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Jade Thirlwall in her home town bar Arbeia where the South Shields print by design company Lines Behind will go on display.Jade Thirlwall in her home town bar Arbeia where the South Shields print by design company Lines Behind will go on display.
Jade Thirlwall in her home town bar Arbeia where the South Shields print by design company Lines Behind will go on display.
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An Arbeia spokesman said: “Local artist and illustrator James Dixon contacted us to kindly give us a piece of his artwork and of course everyone including Jade loved his work.

"James brought a huge piece down which will have pride of place in Arbeia as we plan on getting the wheels in motion for our exciting reopening of which details will be announced very soon.”

The bar confirmed that it won’t be reopening its outdoor area on April 12 but revealed that Jade is now working on a ‘secret’ project with illustrator James.

Jade Thirlwall with illustrator James Dixon at her South Shields bar Arbeia where the print will go on display.Jade Thirlwall with illustrator James Dixon at her South Shields bar Arbeia where the print will go on display.
Jade Thirlwall with illustrator James Dixon at her South Shields bar Arbeia where the print will go on display.
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An Arbeia spokesman added: "Jade and James are working on something top secret but really exciting.

"Keeping things local and personal is really important to us.

"We’ve seen how well our town has come together, especially during the last 12 months and we really want to continue to encourage the support of local talent in the area as much as possible.”

It comes just a week after Jade was named Star Baker in Celebrity Bake Off, where she created fondant fancies based on her bar’s best-selling cocktail, Pornstar Martinis.

The large scale South Shields print by design company Lines Behind.The large scale South Shields print by design company Lines Behind.
The large scale South Shields print by design company Lines Behind.
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Arbeia opened in November 2019, with a VIP preview night seeing fellow South Shields singer Joe McElderry, Jade’s bandmates Perrie Edwards, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Newcastle player Andy Carroll, turning up to show their support for the venture.

Originally named Red Door, the bar changed its name in February 2020 and expanded with a new nightclub next door called Industry.

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Related topics:Jade ThirlwallSouth ShieldsPerrie Edwards