Katherine Renton, a talented local artist who has captured the essence of her coastal surroundings in a unique and eco-friendly way, first approached the Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership (NCAONB) team in 2022. Sarah, our Historic and Built Environment Officer, was inspired by Katherine’s work, her roots in the local area and her original approach to using natural materials. Sarah worked with Katherine on a funding package that would see the artist’s work go on public display and open creative opportunities for local children. In this article, we detail the outcomes of KEEP – Castles, Coal, Coast and Climate, and Colourful Coast, and the impact these two projects have had on people living in and visiting NCAONB.
Meet the artist
After moving from Amble to Shilbottle, Katherine was reminded of the region’s coal mining history, prompting her to start collecting seacoal, shale and sandstone to create her own paint. Using these natural materials, Katherine worked on a striking series of castle paintings, designed to represent the coast’s defensive nature as a borderland, as well as a more playful element – the sandcastles found along the local beaches, which she remarked are in their own way pieces of sustainable art.
Exhibiting in Alnwick
Support from NCAONB allowed her to bring her artistic vision to life through an exhibition at Alnwick's Bailiffgate Art Gallery & Museum. Entitled KEEP – Castles, Coal, Coast, and Climate, Katherine's exhibition received just over 1,000 visitors during its time at the Bailiffgate. Here are just a few of the comments left by visitors to the exhibition:
“A history lesson and art lesson combined. Wonderful!”
“Fascinating! Such an ambitious and widely embracing exhibition. Impressed by the philosophy, conception and execution of both the works themselves and the exhibition!”
“An exciting exhibition beautifully presented.”
The exhibition got the press talking, too. Katherine’s work was featured by Cultured North East and Living North, bringing it to the attention of an event wider audience.
Colourful Coast begins
Katherine used further NCAONB funding to bring the magic of art intertwined and the local environment to Year Four pupils at Amble Links First School. Guiding the class from simple colour-fill activities to intricate land art and sculpture, Katherine nurtured their artistic skills and deepened their connection to their surroundings. The pupils embarked on field trips to the Farne Islands, Alnwick Castle, and Amble Harbour, expanding their knowledge of local birdlife and heritage.