One’s to Watch 2024 - selection

One's to Watch 20204 installation featuring two works from Divide /Unite by Jennifer Steele Evans

What can I say, being selected for Sunny Bank Mills 'One's to Watch 2024' exhibition has been pretty much a dream come true.

Thanks to a pioneering decision to recognise the skills and creativity found in creatives from 'non-traditional' arts education background, the team at Sunny Bank Mills opened up this years showcase of Yorkshire creative talent to those with 'alternative' backgrounds (i.e. non-formal art school). Considering how many people have found creativity as a second career (because schools historically push academia over arts - as in my case) or simply cannot afford or able to take up formal education, this is a truly inspired decision. I hope that this signals a wider change and it would be great to see grants, galleries and residencies be open to non-traditional or later-in-life emerging artists

Anyhow, the popularity of the private view really shows how important galleries like Sunny Bank Mills are to the Yorkshire Art scene (and the North in generally). It was packed, joyful and family friendly and I’m so pleased to be part of it. The work exhibited was an alchemical melting pot of designers, painters, sculptors, jewellery makers, illustrators and, of course, textile artists.