Last year, the gallery held a very special exhibition which tackled the topic of stigmatism around alcohol and drug use as part of the Hartlepool recovery festival. This was the gallery’s contribution to National Recovery Month in September, which is an annual project that celebrates recovery and raises awareness of drug and alcohol abuse through art and creativity.

The exhibition invited artists and creatives to produce work reflecting on their own stories or the stories of those close to them involving, recovery and addiction. It was a truly moving collection, created with such raw emotion, capturing melancholy and triumph while also being a beacon of hope for those who could relate to the work, giving them a new outlook and passion. The gallery is incredibly grateful to those who participated, and It’s great to see locals coming together for such an important cause.

The gallery is proud to announce that they are participating in the National Recovery Month again this September and are looking for people to share their stories and get involved.

Everyone is welcome regardless of skill; whether you’ve picked up a paintbrush before or not, it doesn’t matter. This is about a community coming together to encourage others to express themselves in a new way, one that may open the floodgates to something beautiful and help discover a new path.

Last year, the Stigma exhibition featured many local artists with work ranging from watercolour illustrations to digital art, with our artist in focus being Steven Kennedy, who had battled his own addictions with heroin. Steve had been passionate about art, but his addiction took over. However, he rediscovered his passion while recovering and now produces work associated with addiction, helping to raise awareness and sending a message to others that they’re not fighting alone. We asked Steve for his thoughts about the exhibition –

“I think it is great that Hartlepool art gallery and START, are joining forces and again, providing a much needed platform for recovering addict’s or people presently in some form of addictions treatment, to showcase their creative ideas, as part of National Recovery Month, in September. As part of this exhibition, we are encouraged to explore our emotions, feelings and experiences, and express them via our artwork, hoping to be an inspiration to others, as well as keeping the taboo subject of addiction, front and centre, open to discussion, with the hope of helping to form a greater understanding of addiction and all it encompasses. “The very substance I would choose to help me escape, would inevitably become the very thing that would imprison me.“

Steve’s piece for the Stigma exhibition ‘self-inflicted sentence’ featured a collection of tallies coated in tinfoil, previously used for heroin, sparking imagery of time wasted and how precious life is. The unique part about Steve’s work was when the light would reflect on the piece and transform it into a shining hope that truly lit up the room and gave those who needed it courage. Steve is returning for this year’s exhibition, and we can’t wait to see what story he will tell next.

We talked to one of the artists involved with the exhibition, John Kenvyn, and asked how his involvement helped him.

“I loved being able to take part in the Stigma exhibit at the Hartlepool Art Gallery. I felt honoured to be displayed among so many brilliant local artists whose work allowed for personal, important discussions to open. Taking part allowed me to meet new and interesting people whose experiences were like mine.”

We also asked John about those who are not experienced with art, who may want to contribute to the project and tell their story.

“I think anyone can be an artist. As we see more exhibitions in the coming years, I hope to see many more new artists sharing their stories and experiences to make the Tees Valley area a better, more understanding place.”

John’s words really resonated with us, and we want ensure his message is heard. This is a project that aims to bring the community together to allow important connections to be made and to give everyone an opportunity to express themselves. Art is for everyone, and we at the gallery are proud to be able to show such important and visceral work that challenges preconceptions and brings light to the people of Hartlepool and their many stories.

We contacted another artist who was part of the exhibit, Sophie Bodley, who also had a story to tell. Sophie is going to be this year’s Artist In Focus and thanks to START recovery she has managed to undergo rehabilitation, and we can’t wait to see what motivation and drive her work will feature this year. Sophie was asked why she got involved and why it’s important that people tell their stories and express themselves with this project.