This year we are running some events through Eventbrite for Heritage Open Days. There will be six walks over three days from Friday 13 September to Sunday 15 September. Each walk is guided by artists who will take you on a sketch journey through some of the well known and less well known streets and buildings of Newcastle. Along the way there will be an opportunity to sketch some of the wonderful architectural detailing of some of the finest buildings of Grainger Town. But we will also be discovering some of the lesser known buildings too.
The six walks are:
Grainger Market to Discovery Museum, exploring some of the retail buildings of the past - Stroll through some lesser well-known streets to the former co-operative depot, now the Discovery Museum. Along the way, we will explore some of the former retail powerhouses of the past, including Wengers Department Store on Grainger Street, Western Dairies, Charltons Bonds, and Goldsmiths' "other store".
Fri, Sep 13, 10:00 AMAssembly House and nearby Baroque buildings along the Westgate Road in Newcastle - The Assembly House on Westgate Street was where Charles Avison 1709-1780, composer, held his first public subscription concert in this building in 1735. There is much else to enjoy on Westgate Road including some interesting Baroque buildings and the former offices of James Crossly Eno, the inventor of Eno’s Fruit Salts.
Fri, Sep 13, 10:00 AMThe iconic Grainger Market - Grainger Market was designed by John Dobson and was opened in 1835. Original divided into two parts it included the eastern section, which was a meat market laid out in a series of aisles and a western section, which was a vegetable market constructed as a large open-plan hall.
Sat, Sep 14, 10:00 AMBlackfriars and contemporary Chinatown - Blackfriars is the only remaining medieval friary in the City and one of Newcastle’s oldest surviving buildings. The friars of the Dominican Order, who lived here, wore black cloaks over their white tunics and were nicknamed Blackfriars. Nearby Chinatown and the old City Walls create a blend of cultures that reference the past and are a dynamic reminder of multi-cultural Newcastle.
Sat, Sep 14, 10:00 AMThe Tyne Theatre & Opera House - Along the way, we will visit and sketch the Grainger Music Hall, where Charles Dickens performed in his one-man shows. We will also visit Balmbra's Music Hall, Theatre Royal, Westgate Cinema, and anywhere else we discover along the way.
Sun, Sep 15, 10:00 AMThe Lit & Phil - The Lit & Phil officially opened its handsome neoclassical home in 1825 and it was Initially a place where people would meet to discuss and debate the matters of the day; the collection of books grew, and artefacts and curiosities gathered. Next door is the equally fascinating Common Room, formerly the Mining Institute and Bolbec Hall. There is plenty of opportunity to sketch outdoors here from the Union Rooms opposite.
Sun, Sep 15, 10:00 AM
You'll receive your own “chapbook, " a traditional format with a rich history. Originally sold in 16th-century Europe by peddlers known as chapmen, these compact publications were filled with popular literature, folk tales, religious tracts, or political pamphlets.
On the walk, you can explore, sketch and photograph the buildings which you will illustrate in your chapbook.
Meeting place
We'll meet at the Creative Central NCL Hub near Grainger Market.
We expect the walk to last around two hours, including time to photograph and sketch. You will be invited to return to the Hub to finish your chapbook and get advice and tuition from one of our resident artists.
How to book: the event is being organised through Eventbrite by Creative Central NCL - just search: Creative Central NCL in Newcastle upon Tyne - or follow this link.