Arts Lab

28/08/2026

Another filming day for ‘MacDonald’ at the Rural Peace Hub and some fascinating glimpses into behind-the-scenes. I’m overwhelmed by the breadth of talent and grit this incredible team has - all under the direction of Daniel Vaughan and House54 production company.

27/08/2026

When we say ‘visual arts’, we include film too. Film that fits with our whole premise of ‘art that matters’ - art that reveals hidden stories and lives, brings important realities into view, and can be completely mesmerising to look at.

And so, this week, the Rural Peace Hub has become one of the shooting locations for ‘MacDonald’, a new feature-length film written, directed and produced by Daniel Patrick Vaughan.

Set entirely in the north-east of England, this rural thriller follows a family of farmers under such intense economic pressure that they’ll do anything to survive. The crew has been working alongside local farmers to bring the vision of the film to life.

As Daniel says:
“I don’t want to give too much away about the plot but I’ve always wanted to film up here and, learning the pressures that land on the farming industry, I thought it would make the correct backdrop for a pressure cooker of a thriller.”

We thought you might enjoy a glimpse behind the scenes, and a sense of just how many people (32+ at the RPH), skills and specialisms come together to make a film.

Art that matters. In all its forms.

25/08/2026

Another sample of the Arts Lab toolkit used in recent weeks with prospective partners - here at the Rural Peace Hub with Embrace Dignity from South Africa.

23/08/2026

Here are one or two behind-the-scenes snapshots of what one of the most important steps Arts Lab takes in the process of building parnerships looks like.

All the way from South Africa, we have the esteemed Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge from the NGO Embrace Dignity, and her husband Jeremy with whom an interesting project connecting rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal is being developed. Staying at the Rural Peace Hub for a few days, here they are enjoying a taster day in studio and gallery - learning about and exploring participatory visual arts as a tool for voice, inclusion and conflict transformation.

If you already follow our work, you’ll recognise elements from the toolkit we use. It’s always fascinating to observe the range of approaches to collaborative art-making and 3D building. Everyone is different!

Watch this space for a few more photos from the day’s activities.

Also ….. for a glimpse of other, more local collabrators from Newcastle in the next post ….. and a video!

21/08/2026

Savour these greens!

Who’d have thought we’d arrive at a time when the cooler, wetter north would become an unexpectedly desirable place to be mid-summer?

While so much of the world is experiencing devastating heat, drought and wildfires - leaving growing numbers of communities without homes, without water and facing uncertain food supplies for another season - our corner of the global north, despite its own drought and the very real hardship this brings for farmers, is still managing to stay remarkably green.

How fortunate are we. It’s certainly made the Rural Peace Hub a popular place to be this summer.

And perhaps a reminder, too, not to take this green landscape - or the people and communities who care for it - for granted.

Image: photo taken just now from the ktichen door.

17/08/2026

I haven’t posted here for a while. Despite having quite a lot going on work-wise, I sometimes find myself wondering what the point of social media is. Perhaps it’s because so much of what we see here is increasingly polished, curated and difficult to know as real. I’m much more interested in sharing the real stuff.

With more people visiting the Rural Peace Hub studio recently, and commenting on what they see here, I’ve been reminded that some of the most interesting things are often the things I barely notice myself: the boxes of papers and scraps, collections of odd little bits, pots of paint and brushes that feed both my studio practice and the workshops I facilitate.

So, by way of reconnecting, here are a few glimpses of the studio as it is today — tidy, for once, and ready for the next session. Nothing fancy. Just the materials that get collected, used, saved, transformed and sometimes given a completely new life.

For me, that is part of what artistic transformation is about: recognising value in existing resources, reducing waste, and finding more sustainable ways of seeing, making and living.

SustainableArt CreativeReuse

18/06/2026

What happens when you step away from the workplace for just a day and let go of the daily pressure to perform?

Our latest Creative Reset awayday at Arts Lab’s Rural Peace Hub outside Hexham was a reminder of the power of creativity, play and taking time to pause.

Here’s what some participants shared:

“Exactly what I needed!! A day of free-flowing creative activity… letting go of perfectionism and predetermined outcomes.”

“Very useful and very timely — I had been feeling very burnt out and frustrated with my job.”

“It gave a fresh perspective on aspects of my life — and reminded me of the importance of creativity and play.”

A day to step away from the everyday, reconnect with yourself, and explore new perspectives through creative practice.

Our next “Something’s Gotta Give” Creative Reset days are:
6th & 7th July, 6th & 7th Aug , 6th & 7th Sept, 9th & 10th Oct

If you’re feeling at a crossroads, stretched or simply ready for some space to think differently - this is for you.

🔗 Book your place via the link in bio

10/06/2026

Our first "Something’s Gotta Give Creative Reset Awayday” got off to a fantastic start last Friday. The positive energy at the Rural Peace Hub was palpable, and by home time, people were leaving with fresh perspectives, renewed enthusiasm, and a real sense of can-do and connection. Arts Lab’s work doesn’t get much more fulfilling than this.

This recurring one-day creative reset is designed for anyone feeling burnt out, disillusioned, stuck, or simply in need of a fresh spark - in work or in life.

The images in this poster are just a few moments from the day… more to come, along with participant testimonials.

Full details and booking via our Eventbrite link. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/somethings-gotta-give-a-creative-reset-for-professionals-feeling-stuck-tickets-1987303066970

Upcoming dates:

July 6th & 7th
August 6th & 7th
September 6th & 7th
October 9th & 10th

Special rates are available for groups of 5+. Please get in touch directly for details.

03/06/2026

Have a look at the new video short created by our Newcastle University intern, Elana Purkins , first year Fine Art. https://youtu.be/OeQ46rD55cI?si=jGZ8wV92C5Odc-21

31/05/2026

Excited for the first "Something's Gotta Give" workshop next week. Still spaces available - see the Eventbrite link below for full details and booking.

Looking forward to welcoming everyone to the first “Something’s Gotta Give” workshop next week.

This unique day offers a chance to step away from everyday pressures and explore creativity with guidance from an artist who’s spent more than 40 years teaching, making and exhibiting work. Through simple, accessible activities, you'll discover new ways of thinking, build confidence, and gain fresh perspectives.

You don't need any artistic experience. The workshop isn't about creating great art - it’s about using creativity as a tool to reflect, reconnect with what matters, and find new approaches to everyday challenges.

There are still a few places available, and discounted rates are offered for group bookings of four or more.
If you're interested, please contact me directly.
Full details and booking can be found via the Eventbrite link here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/somethings-gotta-give-a-creative-reset-for-professionals-feeling-stuck-tickets-1987303066970