ILNS Photography Collective Low Quay Exhibition
A few months ago, I Love North Shields opened a brand-new Pop-Up Gallery at Low Quay Brew Co, celebrating photographs captured during our Wall Mural Photowalk.
Around 70 people joined us for the walk, exploring North Shields’ mural trail with cameras in hand. The pop-up gallery showcased the work created on that day, from bold, colourful murals to the quiet details and fleeting little moments people noticed along the route. Seeing the town reflected back through so many different perspectives was incredibly special. It wasn’t just about street art; it was about how people chose to frame it, what they lingered on, what caught their eye.
The launch night was a huge success, the room was packed. There was such a buzz in the air. Photographers stood proudly beside their work, friends and family came to support, and the space felt full of warmth and excitement. It’s one thing organising something like this; it’s another seeing it come to life and realising just how much it means to people.
The gallery gave local residents the chance to see the results of the photowalk on display, meet the volunteers involved, and learn more about how the collective works. It followed on from our first pop-up earlier that year and continued our aim of creating accessible opportunities for people to take part, build confidence, make friends and document their own town.
The exhibition launched from 6pm to 10pm, with drinks flowing from the bar, and then remained in place during normal opening hours so others could drop in and experience it. Looking back now, it really was a milestone moment, a reminder of what can happen when a community picks up a camera and simply starts paying attention to where they live.
Getting the chance to be part of organising this exhibition was a big challenge to my organisational skills, anyone that knows me knows when I feel passionate about something I do go all out. With our funding I’m so pleased I was able to do that. Being able to get high quality prints created, a little magazine for the exhibition showcasing all the brilliant photos and 800 postcards that have been distributed over the months to spread the word of ILNS Photography Collective, was such a bonus to us. We can’t wait to get organising the next one!
Special thank you again to The Low Quay Brewery for all of the help with this one. It was truly appreciated.
