Staff Profile

Theresa is a printmaker and socially engaged artist working with artists books, zines and broadsides. Printmaking provides a platform for Theresa’s focus on social history, using archives, working with libraries and museums to fulfil projects. As an artist with a socially engaged practice, Theresa enjoys a collaborative approach to making artwork and developing ideas alongside participants.  Community participation and political activism feature as a driving force in her work.

Community Engagement & Sanctuary Seekers

Recent research practice has centred around supporting those seeking sanctuary in the Northeast to engage in creative and cultural experiences in and around the University. With support from the Engagement and Place fund, the Catherine Cookson Foundation and the Bartlett, funding has provided the space and opportunity to meet regularly at the Hatton Gallery Learning Space to take part in print, drawing and painting workshops. Refugee Week 2022 offered collaborative partners Skimstone Arts the opportunity to showcase a performance, photography and sound art exhibition alongside artwork made by the Building Bridges group. Initiated by Senior Lecturer in Journalism, David Baines, the weeklong exhibition brought together community groups and the School of Arts and Culture during the undergraduate Open Day weekend, demonstrating the values and ethos of the University.

Funding support from the Catherine Cookson Trust and collaborative working with the Learning Team at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary and West End Refugee Service (WERS) has enabled a project to develop that builds on the skills and confidence developed by the the Building Bridges Group. The project has supported the gardening group at WERS to create a colourful tiled mosaic to accompany a range of artwork on display in the garden area. The Bartlett Fund supported further creative production with the Building Bridges group incorporating training from WERS for students and culminated in an exhibition of artwork during 2023 Refugee Week. I documented the latter part of the project with a zine launched at London Radical Book Fair 1st November 2023. Copies available HERE. The Building Bridges group completed the project with a collaboration between Culture Matters and film/photographer Carl Joyce exploring social and environmental justice using photography. The project will showcase work during Refugee Week 2024 at Newcastle University.

Working in a Trauma Informed Environment

Future research will explore the working conditions of community artists working in trauma informed environments. What does good work practice look like? What are the issues that need addressing in this area for participants, workers and organisations?