Jo Howell

BRIGHTWATER GEM TRAIL

Written by Emma Biggins

Since January, we have been working with Discover Brightwater and Groundworks NE on an exciting new project to get local families out exploring our beautiful landscape and rich heritage.

Hi,

We are Jo and Emma!

We are artists based in the North East and we need your help. We want to create an enchanting new treasure trail. It must inspire people to explore our wonderful local area around the River Skerne. 

Jo and Emma

The trail will lead to nine community installations based around the River Skerne and take adventurers on journeys around Shildon and Trimdon, showing different ways of interacting with nature and our surroundings. Families will be able to be active together on their quest to discover all nine pieces of art. Themes or stories will be inspired by local nature, heritage, people, places and inventions.

To ensure we create reflective installations that celebrate the Brightwater area, themes and locations will be chosen by YOU through workshops and creative activities with youth groups and families. All artwork will be specific to each group we work with and what interests you. 

The installations will be created with YOU and represent what you cherish about your area and convey the local stories we treasure! Once installed adventurers will be able to interact with the installations to learn more about what makes the River Skerne area so special. 

We create artwork using analogue photography and printmaking techniques to produce images similar to those that were created during the invention of photography in 1842! As part of this project we will teach you these techniques during workshops and events to give you the skills to create analogue photos in your own time.

Handmade wooden stephensons rocket locomotion in blue cyanotype print by the artist Jo Howell
Stephensons Rocket by Jo Howell

Get Involved! 

We are currently working with two steering groups at Locomotion Museum and Trimdon Station Community Centre and their youth teams to help us to deliver the project and make decisions on the direction of the project. If you or your child would be interested in joining one of these groups please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Don’t forget to tag us in your creations on social media using #DiscoverBrightwater #GemTrail  

You can currently get involved in the project by:

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