If you love art, the outdoors - and you want to hang out with the Cool Kids this coming weekend - then you should get your skate(board) on - because there's only one place to head:
A very special form of art - with a fantastic back-story is set to be feature in this summer’s exhibition in the North York Moors National Park’s gallery when skateboards adorned with creative designs go on display.
The one-off skateboard designs have been created by students from the Scarborough Pupil Referral Service who have used art to explore parallels between their own lives and those of endangered birds that exist on the edge of habitats.
The skateboards, along with work from a talented line-up of other artists, will be on display during the Birds on the Edge exhibition which runs from Saturday 20 July until Sunday 8 September at the Inspired by… gallery in Danby as part of the North York Moors Trust’s National Lottery Heritage-funded Birds on the Edge project.
The project, which is doing amazing things to bring people and nature closer together, is creating and restoring vital habitats for birds that thrive on the edges of woodland and farmland, such as Turtle Doves, Redstarts, Song Thrushes and Yellowhammers, by providing drinking pools and ponds, and working with farmers to develop wildflower plots.
For the exhibition, self-confessed ‘bird nerd’, Holly Magdalene Scott and local printmaker Lyn Bailey will honour the significance and enchantment of birds through their lino cut prints; while Whitby ceramicist Jean Cunion will take inspiration from the wildlife she sees on the local moorland and coast to produce stylised geometric shaped ceramics.
She will be joined by other ceramicists, Jacqui Atkin, Kate Timson and Jean White, together with Huddersfield mixed media artist Jo Blaker who will explore the Birds on the Edge theme through a series of sketchbook watercolours and drawings.
Acclaimed local artist Peter Reynolds will depict the fragility of birds’ lives through his paintings and textile artist Bridget Bailey will use the concept of nests to show the sustainable ingenuity of birds.
A programme of art-related events, workshops and nature walks is also set to run alongside the exhibition this summer.
This is the second year the Trust has been involved in a hugely important and innovative partnership with community producing company ARCADE and the Pupil Referral Service, which a specialist education facility nurturing young people who are not in a mainstream school.
As well as pupils carrying out conservation tasks with the Trust, last year a group produced a fantastic series of films, poetry and music through weekly creative sessions inspired by the project’s mission - and exploring possible parallels between their own lives and threatened bird species as well as the work to protect them.
James Metcalfe, Director of the North York Moors Trust is clear: “Art is a powerful way of connecting people and nature and supporting the health and resilience of both. For students at the Pupil Referral Service, moving their education outdoors has been transformative. The opportunity and freedom it gives has allowed them to thrive, harness talents, acquire skills, and form a meaningful and lasting connection with the natural world.
“I am proud to see that the benefits of connecting people and nature have been realised through this project – from enhanced health, wellbeing, and personal growth, through to strengthened relationships between students and teachers, improved confidence and inspiring new aspirations, as well as fostering a genuine love for, and commitment to, protecting nature.”
The Trust began the Birds on the Edge project in January 2023, working in partnership with North York Moors National Park Authority, North Yorkshire Council, Yorkshire Water, Forestry England, Howardian Hills National Landscape and ARCADE. The project continues until October 2026.
Local charity, the Woodsmith Foundation, also funded additional engagement work with the students to create their unique skateboards.
For more information on the Birds on the Edge exhibition please CLICK HERE
Header Image: One of the students from Scarborough PRU working on her skateboard (Anna Bean)
