Appetite dish out the treats to local shoppers - with Windows of Wonder and Three Counties Cubes!

Appetite are bringing art to the streets this festive season with work in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre and Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre. The New Vic Theatre led Creative People and Places programme for Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, funded by Arts Council England has been captivating people in the area with accessible, high energy, spectacular work, including their annual festival The Big Feast, for the past 7 years. This winter Appetite are dishing up two art experiences, which can be enjoyed day or night, in two places.

Appetite Director Gemma Thomas said
“We are delighted to mark the end of the year by being able to bring the people of Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme art by a range of artists to enjoy on their high streets. It is amazing to have such good relations with both BID organisations to enable this to happen. Using art to give high streets something extra for visitors and businesses is something we really believe in. It gives everyone the chance to experience art; encourages people to stop and take a minute to enjoy and to see businesses and areas of the city and town centres they might not usually see, when we are rushing about at this time of year. All the works are illuminated so it’s great to bring a bit of a twinkle to the streets during the earlier evenings of winter.”

Working with local partners Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District (BID), Windows of Wonder has been bought to Stoke-on-Trent for the first time, and is the next event off the shelf from the Seasonal Specials programme which began in October. This magical trail of illuminated windows has seen 10 artists and 10 businesses work together to create a feast for the eyes. The windows are spread out in the City Centre, just perfect for those shoppers to enjoy as they go about their festive errands. The Windows will be in place until Saturday 2 January.

Richard Buxton, Stoke-On-Trent City Centre BID Manager said:

"The BID is delighted to be bringing the wonderful #WindowsofWonder project to Stoke-on-Trent City Centre with Appetite. 

"Appetite has an enthralling flair in delivering unique artistry and creativity to our city centre and beyond, and this exciting trail of ten illuminated displays located at various city centre businesses and developed by local creatives will be no different. 

"As we look forward to a busier period for the city centre, we hope that people can take a short break from Christmas shopping to check out the trail and be captivated "

Councillor Lorraine Beardmore, cabinet member for culture, leisure and public health, said:

“Windows of Wonder is a fantastic way of bringing art to everyone during the run-up to Christmas. We still face many challenges because of the pandemic and this is an innovative and inspiring way to provide festive displays in a COVID-secure way. It’s the perfect example of organisations working together to offer something different that still celebrates Stoke-on-Trent, promotes our city centre and helps to mark the festive season.

“We’d encourage those who can to check out the trail and all the wonderful artwork it has to offer - I’ll certainly be taking my family to have a look. One of the displays is called A Celebration of Stoke-on-Trent and Its People – and I definitely think that’s something we want to shout about as much as possible after the amazing efforts of everyone across the city this year.”

Thanks to our partners Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District (BID), the town centre is now playing host to the Three Counties Cubes which are illuminating the Ironmarket. Consisting of four huge illuminated cubes and profiling the work of artists from Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire, Three Counties Cubes profiles the winners and other entries to the ArtsKeele (Keele University) run Three Counties Exhibition which took place over the summer. The Cubes are illuminated so look stunning in the day or night and will be in place until Wednesday 6 January.

Amy Williams, Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre BID Manager said:

"The BID are delighted to have the Three Counties Cubes come to NUL for the festive season.  The cubes bring a different type of exhibition to Newcastle that can be enjoyed both during the day for visitors and at night when they are lit up.  It has been hard to deliver events and projects this year due to COVID but the cubes have been a great way for people to still enjoy art and culture in NUL in a COVID secure way."

Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) supported the Three Counties Cubes when they were in their first location in the City Centre during October to December. The Cubes will be moving to Keele University with the support of ArtsKeele from 7 January 2021.

Appetite organises all installations and events ensuring a COVID safe environment for all visitors, staff and artists. We have followed all government guidance, including following measures related to being in Tier 3. We always encourage our audiences to keep everyone safe by observing Hands, Face, Space, Track and Trace.

For more details, visit appetite.org.uk or contact us at askus@appetitestoke.co.uk / 01782 381373.