Our Environment
About the Artists
Tom Watkins - Digital interactive artwork, Hull & East Riding Museum
Tom Watkins is a Hull based visual artist who works with animation and interactive projection mapping to create immersive and engaging experiences. His work often includes isometric shapes, recursive patterns, and video feedback.
Daniel Arce - Soundscape with Creative Connections open access group
Daniel Arce (DJ Chile) is a music educator, self-published author, and artist from Hull. Daniel has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Music Technology from Hull University and holds two titles as 2011 WTK world champion & 2013 IDA national champion in freestyle scratching. Daniel has a passion in music education and has worked extensively as a music facilitator for the last decade.
Shirley Ewitt - Soundscape with Daniel Arce
Shirley enjoys mark making and painting. Shirley uses Makaton and is a wheelchair user. Shirley is part of the Creative Connections open access group, and really enjoyed the trips to Hull and East Riding Museum and the gardens. Shirley has exhibited at 87 Gallery and Humber Street Gallery.
Emily Oetegenn, of Tales & Scales Productions - Poetry: ‘Hamartia of Humanity’
Emily Oetegenn is a neurodiverse, disabled, queer artist and the founder, creative director and producer of Tales and Scales Productions. Her multimedia body of work explores themes of disability, womanhood, sensuality, rage, and her Aphrodite gaze, validating their relationship to one another. Tales and Scales Productions collaborates with Artlink Hull on its open mic showcase to highlight, champion and empower disabled, neurodivergent and queer artists and their allies. The open mic events are curated by Emily. Emily is part of the Creative Connections open access group. Emily has exhibited at 87 Gallery and Humber Street Gallery.
James Alexander Hall - Poetry: ‘But Not In Our Lifetime’
James is a professional poet, performer and theatre maker who has produced award-winning arts over the last 10 years working in this industry. Born in Grimsby, raised in Immingham, and now living in Hull, James is passionate about all things Humberside! Their poem, ‘This Town’, has been displayed since 2021 in Grimsby. For the event ‘Love Your Town’ (2022 & 2024) their Immingham poem, ‘Nothing ever happens here’ was displayed, as well as poems commissioned, inspired by local stories.
Johnny Moorhead (Border Boy) - Poetry: ‘Within Each Stone’
Johnny is an established Hull-based Spoken-Word artist hailing from the Borderlands of Northern Ireland. A performer, playwright and stand-up trained poet, who integrates Clown Comedy and Dark images to spin stories and move crowds at festivals. After being adopted by the city of Hull, Johnny has been professionally supported by: Pup Corner Poets, Middle Child Theatre, Hull Truck's Creative Learning Department and Pure West Records. Johnny has adapted science-based education shows for 'The Deep' and developed SEN-inclusive interactive courses for 'Energise', a Special Education Needs and disability support group.
James Walker - Digital Photography - Go Pro
James is a keen photographer interested in street photography and the everyday which he takes on his Go Pro. Photography is the only thing James can do fully independently. James is inspired by colours of the world, street art and nature. James is part of the Artlink’s Creative Connections open access group. James has exhibited at 87 Gallery, Pier Street Gallery and Humber Street Gallery.
Alastair Smith - Photography
Alastair is a documentary and lifestyle photographer who specialises in analogue and point and shoot mediums. Alastair is part of Artlink’s Creative Connections open access group. Alastair has exhibited at 87 Gallery and Pier Street Gallery.
Suzella Bone - Photography
Suzella enjoys working in a variety of multimedia arts, including drawing, poetry, ceramics and photography. Her photos are taken from a wheelchair user perspective. Suzella uses a Samsung Galaxy S smartphone or a Canon EOS 2000D camera and does not edit or apply filters, as she likes to show her photos how she sees them. She prefers landscape, nature, festival and sports photography. Suzella is part of Artlink’s Creative Connections open access group, she is a powerchair user, and is autistic and dyslexic. Suzella has exhibited at Humber Street Gallery.
About Creative Connections
Artlink Hull’s Creative Connections project improves wellbeing by supporting people to learn new skills and express themselves creatively, reducing social isolation, building support networks and friendships, and helping people build the confidence to try new things. The co-production model means that participants and artists learn from each other and share their experiences, ideas and explore creative processes together.
Partners include Sight Support, Danny’s Dream and The Disabilities Trust. Creative Connections Open Access group sessions are held fortnightly at 87 Gallery, and are for anyone who identifies as disabled to express themselves creatively, meet people, and socialise. Sessions are facilitated by a local professional artist and free materials are provided.
About Artlink Hull
Artlink Hull is an arts and educational charity, for over 40 years it has welcomed all communities in Hull and the surrounding area to join in participatory arts projects, exhibitions, events, and learning programmes.
Artlink runs 87 Gallery on Princes Avenue and provides creative opportunities for people at all stages of their lives and across all abilities. Artlink’s community arts programme works with under-represented people to help gain new skills, personal development and confidence, creating a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. Artlink runs the Disability Arts Network and are passionate advocates of inclusion, accessibility and co-production.