The Gift – A New Year Message of Hope from Appetite

Working with the Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District (BID), Appetite commissioned artist, poet and Chair of Kwanzaa Collective UK Gabriella Gay to create the poem, around the words ‘Roar Open With Hope’. These four words will be turned into a neon sign, to be installed in the city centre in Spring 2021. Ahead of the physical artwork we’re releasing the optimistic and hopeful poem on social media. 

Appetite Director Gemma Thomas said: “At the end of 2020, and in the changeable circumstances that COVID sees us in. We wanted to be hopeful that the future might be different and we wanted to share our optimism and hopefulness in the way we know how, through working with artists. With our partners and Supper Club we commissioned Gabriella Gay to craft a message for the city, and one that can be based in the city centre in spring. The Gift is Gabriella’s message of hope and positivity we’ll need for the year ahead. Art should be part of our everyday lives, and through this period of restrictions we’re determined to bring as much art as possible to as many people as possible. The Gift can be read and listened to in your own home.”

Richard Buxton, Stoke-On-Trent City Centre BID Manager said: “During this difficult time where we find ourselves in another national lockdown, we could all use a 'Message of Hope' so we are pleased to be working with Appetite to do just that. The neon sign is another instalment in the Seasonal Specials programme which sees Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID work alongside Appetite to introduce a series of artistic and creative commissions to our streets. It follows the successful Windows of Wonder project which saw artists transform ten city centre windows into illuminated and festive works of art over the Christmas period, the illuminated sculptures Shimmer Tree and CHORUS which lit up the city centre back in October, and The Three Counties Cubes, a mesmerising showcase of artwork from Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire, celebrating the creativity of local people.

The neon sign will be a symbol of hope and positivity; a breath of fresh air and a display of defiance against COVID-19; a shining beacon that normality awaits us in the future and that our city centre will welcome people again soon."

Councillor Lorraine Beardmore, cabinet member for culture and leisure & public health at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "Roar Open With Hope epitomises the spirit of Stoke-on-Trent, its amazing residents and our optimism for the future.

The last 10 months or so have been an extremely challenging time for so many people and we continue to face a critical situation. The residents of this city have stepped up and done what is needed to battle this pandemic, and it is their positivity, their determination and their hope that we see all around us, from the volunteer organisations offering support to the vulnerable, to the amazing council workers helping our hospital in a time of crisis - and everything in between. 

Artwork like this is an inspiration and a reminder that we are in this together, will come out of this together and that our city and its residents will continue to thrive in the future.     

It's a wonderful poem and a strong message and I'm really looking forward to seeing this dazzling neon artwork shining out in the city centre with a message of positivity for all to see.”

The Gift is available to read now published on the Appetite website and will be shared on both the Appetite and Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) social media accounts for everyone to enjoy and share.

Appetite is a New Vic Theatre-led Creative People and Places programme for Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme. Funded by Arts Council England, it has been exciting people in the area with its accessible, high energy, spectacular work for the past seven years. During 2020 Appetite continued to engage audiences, hosting an online AstleyFest celebration; presenting Seasonal Specials in the city centre including stunning illuminated cubes with work from the Three Counties Art Exhibition; and bringing Dan Fox’s Projector Bikes to entertain residents of Cross Heath, Chesterton and Kidsgrove from the safety of their homes. 

For more information on The Gift details, visit appetite.org.uk, email or contact us at askus@appetitestoke.co.uk or call 01782 381373.