Art project creating an Appetite for all seasons

A local arts project is continuing to spread positivity and support people’s well-being in the face of COVID-19 and lockdown measures.

Article by Adam Gratton

Since late October, Appetite, funded by Arts Council England and the National Lottery, has been offering up an array of art-based entertainment as part of its ‘Seasonal Specials’ programme.

Originally set up in 2013 Appetite’s mission has been to continually engage the people of Stoke-on- Trent with Art and the culture surrounding it. Throughout 2020 Director of Appetite Gemma Thomas has been leading the projects team of five in their efforts to adapt to current circumstances and continue to engage local communities with art.

Of their most recent offering ‘Seasonal Specials’ and how they are dealing with COVID restrictions Gemma said: “The idea came from restaurants and looking at the ‘Seasonal Special’ they have on the board and how their menu’s are usually about what’s in season. We thought, OK, if we looked in our larder what would we create? So, we have continued to use that analogy for what we can present.
“We have been working in that way it has meant that we have had to look at what we can do and to pick and choose with what is available to us given the current restrictions. We have had to pick pieces from the plans we’ve had to create things which when out on the streets people coming along and our partners are all comfortable with, fits within the restrictions and is still a positive experience.”

The programme started on 24 October with a five day event – the Three Counties Cubes, an instillation which profiled the winners and other entries to the ArtsKeele (Keele University) Three Counties Exhibition, which took place over the summer and will remain until November 22.

There was also another two dramatic sound and light installations Chorus by Ray Lee and Shimmer Tree by Dan Fox  both aimed at the autumn and winter seasons.

As for the continuation and future of the ‘Seasonal Specials’ in the face a new lockdown it is all about it being a moveable feast, and according to Gemma adapting to ever changing circumstances.

“Ideally we would have had another event on November 21 or at least have some other activity to follow on,” Gemma said. “But in light of the lockdown we’re now trying to move some of what we had planned to December. One of the planned projects for then is ‘Window Wonderland’ where we will be working with 10 businesses and 10 artists to create instillations which people can tour around while they’re shopping. Other than that, if the lockdown continues, we’ll just have to move things on and find the opportunities when they come and get things lined up, ready.”

Having faced, like many, the challenges of working in a physical industry during lockdown the Appetite team have had to adapt themselves in their way of working dealing delivering the program while working remotely meaning delays to the process as Gemma explained: “The challenges for us have been that with everyone working remotely how do you galvanise and energise people when you can’t meet them and everything takes that little bit longer to get done and everyone’s health and safety is the priority.”

Despite the obstacles and difficulties, Gemma and her team have remained focused on engaging and linking people and communities through Art and culture. Their work with Seasonal Specials programme has received a positive response.

“One of the great things from the feedback we’ve had is that Appetite has really helped to change people’s minds about where they live,” adds Gemma. “People have commented that they feel more positive and have a sense of pride and ultimately feel connected to where they live and feel like part of a community.”

For more information on ‘Seasonal Specials’ and Appetites work along with how to get involved visit https://www.appetite.org.uk/

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**Main Image Tony Woolliscroft