Greatfield 60 : Photo Exhibition To Launch Anniversary Celebrations

Greatfield 60 – a celebration of 60 years of the East Hull estate – is launching this month with a photography exhibition at a ‘pop-up’ art gallery.

The project is part of Hull UK City of Culture 2017’s artistic programme and is being funded through the Hull 2017 Creative Communities Programme, which is being delivered in partnership with the Big Lottery Fund.

The first exhibition at the G60 gallery, which will be hosted in an underused back room of St Hilda’s Church in Elmbridge Parade, is called Beginnings and is a display of early photographs of the estate in construction.

Greatfield 60 is led by Greatfield Big Local, a 10-year and beyond resident-led community development project for Greatfield.

Claire Taylor from Greatfield Big Local, said: “In 1957 Greatfield was a building site. However, as the first wave of hopeful new tenants braved the mud and lack of facilities, there was hope and excitement and they begin their new lives on the estate. Sixty years on, many people living here still love the estate are committed to improving the quality of life for everyone through volunteering for longstanding community organisations and through the Greatfield Big Local Partnership.

“Whether it is full skirts and rock and roll or flares and flower-power, the first six decades of life on Greatfield will be explored through photography, quilt making and oral history recordings. We intend to make a ‘Greatfield Story Wall’ in the gallery with photographs from the first six decades.”

Other highlights for the year-long programme of talks, workshops, exhibitions and screening, include:

• A chance to meet the ‘Turn and Face the Strange’ writers, who would like to make contact with people who have stories to share about Greatfield’s famous son Mick Ronson.
• Art on a Cart, provided by local community group Great Minds who will take art right into the heart of the estate, building ‘Boxes of Beauty and Hope’ exploring the recovery journey.
• The ‘Greatfield Community Choir’ will start in February with a special taster session, singing love songs from 1957 to present day.
• Crafty Cuppa and Family Fun sessions will be provided by GRIN (Greatfield Residents Improving Their Neighbourhood) through the year.
• Hull Carnival Arts will support local schools to create work to be showcased at the special Street Party event in June. They will explore the theme of ‘Freedom from Worry’ in partnership with Hull and East Yorkshire Credit Union.

Martin Green, CEO and Director of Hull 2017, said:

“We’re funding 60 projects through the Creative Communities Programme, which are unleashing the creativity of local people across Hull. It’s fantastic to see Greatfield 60 evolving, which not only supports home-grown talent but also develops residents’ enthusiasm for the arts and culture via work with professional artists.”

Limited free tickets are available for the gallery opening on Friday 27th January 2017 at 5pm – 7pm. Members of the public are welcome to pop in on Monday 10am – 4pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 10am – 6pm and on other days for special events.