Sunderland College proactively respond to national riots

Following national riots in August 2024 including within Sunderland City centre, Sunderland College’s Creative Arts Department proactively responded by developing a city endorsed programme, focused on community, a celebration of difference, and pride in place.

The event – an immersive arts showcase held on Monday 14 October, was a celebration of the rich and intricate fabric of the local community.

The programme contributed to a wider underpinning agenda linked to social awareness and cohesion, and with this, a deeper understanding of the people, who despite background, faith or ethnicity, make Sunderland the place it is today and for tomorrow.

Sheree Rymer, Faculty Director for Creative, Digital & Computing at Sunderland College said: “The summer riots represented a very sad time for Sunderland, it showed the city in a light that isn’t a true representation of who or what we are.

“However, from that dark moment, came an opportunity to reflect on who the contemporary Sunderland influencers are. ‘Thread of Life’ shone a light on the fact that Sunderland is a city full of diversity and has a hopeful future where social cohesion is important. The faculty felt privileged to enable our young students to meet the plethora of makers and creators and create something so meaningful and powerful that hopefully its message is remembered and people come together more.”

Lauren Robinson, Curriculum Manager for Creative Arts added: “Our immersive creative arts community project wove intricate threads of contemporary life, showcasing the talent and passion of Sunderland College staff and students.

“I’m extremely proud of their contributions, as together we forged a vibrant tapestry of connection, celebrating our collective identity and the spirit of our city.”

The project was named ‘Thread of Life’ and was endorsed and promoted by the Sunderland Business Partnership, celebrating the city’s creative pulse, brought to life through a dynamic collaboration between different creative arts mediums.

Ngozi Lyn Cole, one of the people who were the centre of the work the students completed, forming the basis of the work in the exhibition said: “Well done to Sunderland College for taking this leadership role in the Thread of Life project.

“I believe that this is such an important way of showcasing the richness and diversity of life in Sunderland and the people that make up the community.”

The immersive exhibition was hosted at the new and recently redeveloped Sheepfolds Stables in Sunderland, along with SouthPaw studio who have a space within the site. The event included soundscapes translating spoken words, photography, media, visual & digital art, and music.

The event served not only as a showcase of student talent but also as a homage to the diverse range of individuals who are less known in the city, but who are making a real difference. They are the ‘contemporary Makers & Creators of Sunderland’ – people who live and/or work in the city who are doing incredible, inspiring, meaningful things and making a real difference to their communities.

The exhibition was free for anyone to attend, and guests were encouraged to move around the various spaces and pieces of work at their own pace. There were over 400 attendees including representatives from the council, local community groups and local businesses, with stakeholders and supporters invited by the college to attend.

The college are working on the next steps following this programme, with conversations about where the work might be displayed, whether parts of it could form a mobile exhibition and whether it might run again with a new/altered theme or focus.