The Transformation of The Shed

As mentioned in the last post, The Shed was thoroughly transformed for our Late Shows event. The in-house creative team responsible for its stunning metamorphosis were residents Kate Eccles, Jen McHugh, Molly Barrett and Verity Quinn. The girls did an outstanding job and the whole building was hardly recognisable as it was taken back to the 1920s. Each of artists studios were lit by lamp light, the foyer was dressed with red drapes and the upstairs area had its very own cocktail bar. Kate Usher Studio was enlisted to help decorate the bar and designed an amazing Art Deco inspired wallpaper. Here are a few images of the transformation and the evening itself...

One of The Late Shows team tries out the jail for size ahead of the opening!

Jen McHugh draws a skyline for the silent cinema room.

The amazing props for Laura Jane Vest's photographic portraits 

Beautiful Art Deco Wallpaper designed especially for the event by Kate Usher Studios.

Star & Shadow Cinema Organist Carl accompanies the silent movies being projected live onto a screen in the foyer.

The 1920's head-dress making workshop hosted by Kate Usher.

1920's Inspired Fun for The Late Shows

On Saturday 14th May, The Shed was transformed into a 1920's wonderland for the evening, as we opened our doors and took part in the annual Late Shows. Glitz and glamour was a plenty, right in the middle of Gateshead High Street! Visitors were invited to take part in their very own silent movie, learn to dance the Charleston or simply soak up the atmosphere and view the artists studios. Our resident photographer Laura Jane Vest was set up for the evening taking quirky 1920s portraits. Did you manage to get along for yours?

All photographs are copyright protected © Laura Jane Vest Photography

Let us know which is your favourite :)


And if you were at The Shed and took your own photographs we'd love to see them. Please email them to yvettehawkins@gateshead.gov.uk

International Women's Day

We're undergoing a bit of a blog overhaul, so please bear with us while this happens.  We aim to have regular blog posts to keep you updated with all things Shed!  We also provide regular newsletters to anyone who is interested just what goes on here.  If you're not on yet and would like to be included, email yvettehawkins@gateshead.gov.uk


Since we opened in 2009 we've grown to provide rent and rate free studio space to 38 creative businesses who all span practices across the creative industries.


In light of it being the 100th International Women's day we thought it might be a good idea to profile some of The Shed's female creative entrepreneurs, so read on to find out what they do.

Corinne Lewis

Corinne is a visual artist who works with lens based media and digital reproduction and is interested in exploring the relationship between technology and the natural world.

Corinne also makes these wonderful jewellery pieces using her photographic imagery and other drawn processes.  These wearable art pieces make her practice accessible to a wider audience.  Corinne was also recently commissioned by Gateshead Council to make art for empty spaces through the project Shop Art.  Head down to Gateshead Interchange to see her work.  Let us know what you think by leaving us a comment.

Corinne is currently working on a collection for an exhibition of John Martin paintings at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle Upon Tyne.  Check back to see the finished products or visit Corinne here.


Kate Usher

Kate is our resident wallpaper designer and has been working very hard to produce a stunning collection of wallpaper.  Kate has showed her work at 100% Design and New Designers in 2010 and is definitely a designer to watch.


Here is one of our favourite designs, Turtle Turtle.

To see more of Kate's designs visit her website.

Jen McHugh
Jen Mchugh is an illustrater with a disctinctive playful style.  She was also recently commissioned by Gateshead Council through the Shop Art project to design a shutter.  Watch this space for the final design.


Jen works to commission and has produced an enchanting range of t-shirts and jewellery based on her whimsical designs

Visit Jen here.