Streets of Carlton filled with art at new event celebrating town’s undiscovered talent

Shun Kit Ho, owner of Piggins Cafe, believes that Art Week is a great way to
Shun Kit Ho, owner of Piggins Cafe, believes that Art Week is a great way to "tell the story of Carlton"
By George Palmer-Soady

Creatives in Carlton – from school pupils to professional artists – are being celebrated in a week-long event showcasing their work in shops and cafes.

Independent businesses on Carlton Hill are taking part in the week-long event which began on Wednesday (October 23).

Work from four local professional and aspiring artists is on display alongside two projects created by schoolchildren and other local people.

Café Bake ‘n’ Cobs is showing artwork by pupils from Standhill Infant School, just a few doors away.

Shop owner Sheridan Heath says the event is a great way to celebrate the creativity of kids who regularly pop in after school.

“We always put the children’s artwork up in the window anyway,” she said.

“They love it – they all stand out here looking for their picture, so it’s really good. A lot of the families come in anyway and we know most of the children.

“It’s very important to have this art here. Carlton’s a nice little community and we do all sorts for the kids.”

Sheridan Heath, owner of Bake 'n' Cobs, says the event is a great way to celebrate the creativity of local schoolchildren who regularly pop in after school.
Sheridan Heath, owner of Bake ‘n’ Cobs, says the event is a great way to celebrate the creativity of local schoolchildren who regularly pop in after school.

Down the road at Piggins Café, portraits of a diverse range of local residents, drawn by Artist Mik Godley, are displayed on the wall.

Cafe owner Shun Kit Ho believes the art is a great way to tell the stories of people living in the area.

He said: “They are all familiar faces and there are memories behind all of them – be it funny, be it sad or thought-provoking. They tell the story of Carlton.”

Work by local artists Dawn Feeney, Edwina Kung, Sarah Sewell, and Sarah Manton is also on display in Who’s Next Barbers, Primo café, Age Concern and Carton Hill Library.

The event is being run by Nottingham charity City Arts, which says it hopes to put on more exhibitions in the area.

Alma Solarte-Tobón, the charity’s Creative Producer, hopes the art week will help to shine a light on the area’s undiscovered talent.

She said: “There are so many amazing artists that live here and there’s so much happening. It’s great to show that this community also matters, arts matters and so do local venues.

“People here get left out, so it’s really nice to be able to show Carlton in a different light.”

Alma Solarte-Tobón, Creative Producer at City Arts, says she hopes the art week will help to shine a light on the area's often unnoticed pool of talent.
Alma Solarte-Tobón, Creative Producer at City Arts, says she hopes the art week will help to shine a light on the area’s often unnoticed pool of talent.

The event is being supported by Gedling Borough Council with funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

Carlton Art Week will run until October 30, with free activities running throughout the week.

An art show bringing together creatives to share their arts and crafts will take place on October 26 in the Carlton Community Hub. Heritage walks will also be running on the same day.