St. Paul’s Church, Ryhope, has announced its Artists in Residence (AiR) for 2024/ 25. For the first time, this includes a young adult category.

The AiR scheme, which has been in existence since 2022, aims to use the arts, craft and creativity to help St. Paul’s Church to stay connected with the community it serves. In that time, St. Paul’s has been a venue for exhibitions of work from local people and organisations. Plays have been perform by visiting drama groups, too.

St. Paul’s also hosts a weekly community choir which was founded by outgoing AiR musician Tony Bowler. The choir has performed at Beamish Museum and some of the Church’s fundraising fairs. Tony’s colleague, fused glass artist Ken Maynard, has created some beautiful glass panels which will remain in St. Paul’s when his residency finishes at the end of August..

Artist, Isabel Southam, will become the first Young Artists in Residence (YAiR) for 14-17 year olds, having impressed the selection panel with her hand drawn portraits. In the adult category, Jo Nolan will use and improve her skills as a self-taught videographer and creative writer. Additionally, a role has been created for Autumn Shanks who has previously volunteered for the scheme. As a keen artist herself, Autumn will help provide practical help and help promote the work being done by Isabel and Jo.

Rev. David Chadwick, vicar of St. Paul’s, said, “I am delighted to welcome Isabel, Jo and Autumn to St. Paul’s Church and am really looking forward to working with them.”

Former AiR, Linzi Saunders, now volunteers to help with the day to day running of the scheme.

She said, “In the first year, we were not funded so we had to make use of lots of recycled materials. Now, because of fundraising and working in partnership with the LVAC arts organisation, artists will get a bursary and the chance to work with LVAC artists.”

Jo Nolan said she is looking forward to the challenge and hopes the experience will help build her self-confidence. She has already been forming ideas for work ahead of the new AiR term which starts on 1 September 2024.

Denise Southam, who is Isabel’s Nanna and no.1 fan, summed up her feelings about her granddaughter’s new role. She said, “I am just very proud of her.”

Picture: This year’s artists in residence at St. Paul’s Church with its vicar, Rev. David Chadwick. (L to R: Isabel Southam, Rev. Chadwick, Autumn Shanks and Jo Nolan).