Seven Stories’ multipurpose space, Storylab, is being reinvented for the first time in eight years into a dedicated gallery space which will inspire older children and young adults alike to understand the artistic process behind the creation of children’s books.
The Storylab has been used for many purposes over the eight years since Seven Stories first opened. This month, the space will close its doors in order to undergo a transformation into a dedicated gallery space due to launch on Saturday 25 January. This new gallery space will be a departure from the major exhibitions visitors across the country have flocked to explore. The Storylab gallery will be a traditional straight hang exhibition set to feature some of the hidden gems from the Seven Stories collection. There space will also host external touring exhibitions or loans in order to showcase a wider range of artwork and inspiring contributions attributed to the world of children’s literature.
In contrast to the major exhibition spaces at Seven Stories, the new Storylab Gallery will change at more regular intervals throughout the year offering visitors fresh and inspiring opportunities to engage with the Centre’s unique and treasured archive. The new space aims to engage an older audience of children aged 8 and over, young adults and enthusiasts of art, literature and heritage with its choice of displays.
The very first exhibition to be launched in the space on Saturday 25 January is linked to a pioneering project – Picture Book in Progress - lead by Seven Stories. The project worked with illustration and art students from around the UK to inform their work, offer insight into the creative process behind picture books and inspire the next generation of artists by offering exclusive access to Seven Stories’ fantastic collection. The first Storylab exhibition is the culmination of this innovative project and will explore how a picture book is made, from earliest sketches to final artwork and will showcase work by some of the participating students. Visitors will be able to pore over the handpicked items from Seven Stories’ collection including work by acclaimed illustrators Shirley Hughes, Angela Barrett and John Burningham which were used throughout the year long project and will make up the content for this exhibition. Alison Fisher, Seven Stories Exhibition Curator says “It has been a brilliant process mining our archive for display material, so we hope you will all enjoy the final display!”
The Picture Book in Progress exhibition will be on show until early May 2014 when it will be replaced by a display dedicated Angelina Ballerina and drawing on the recently donated complete archives from the creators of this popular mouse, Katharine Holabird and Helen Craig.
Media Contact
For images, quotes or interviews please contact:
Hannah Lambert, Marketing and Communications Assistant
Seven Stories, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle. NE1 2PQ.
T: 0845 271 0777 ext. 223
E: hannah.lambert@sevenstories.org.uk