Tees Valley Museums have collaborated with with Art UK to develop some Hyper Local online resources. The resources are a result of teacher consultation and aim to enthuse artists of all ages on a variety of topics.
Painting by John Dobbin of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825.
What would it be like to be one of the first people in the world to ride on a train? How did railways revolutionise transport – and peoples’ lives?
This resource explores the development of railways as public transport.
Smith, Bernard; Stockton-on-Tees High Street, Tees Valley; Preston Park Museum & Grounds; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/stockton-on-tees-high-street-tees-valley-57514
How have our high streets changed over time? What can we recognise and what looks different?
This resource focuses on a painting of Stockton-on-Tees High Street, made in the 1950s, to explore how our streets, communities and lifestyles have changed within living memory.
Kennedy, Charles Napier; Joseph Pease (1799-1872); Dorman Museum; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/joseph-pease-17991872-57742
What can portraits tell us about the history of our place?
As well as showing us what someone looks like, portraits can tell us about their life. Sometimes they also tell us about important events in the sitter’s history that relate to where they live (or lived). Historical portraits can be used as visual evidence to help us piece together the histories of our villages, towns and cities.
This resource focuses on a portrait of Joseph Pease in the Dorman Museum in Middlesbrough. Joseph Pease belonged to a family of Quakers who were instrumental in building the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
Pearce, Leonard John; Captain Cook Landing in Christmas Sound, Tierra del Fuego, Chile; Captain Cook Birthplace Museum; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/captain-cook-landing-in-christmas-sound-tierra-del-fuego-chile-57759
What would it be like to be an explorer? Where would your travels take you? Who would you meet and what would you tell people about where you’re from? How might your travels impact the people and places you visit?
This painting shows a scene from Captain James Cook’s second voyage across the Pacific Ocean, which he made between 1772 and 1775 on HMS Resolution.
Watson, David; Red Funnel; Kirkleatham Museum; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/red-funnel-57664
How can we use shapes, colours, textures and words to create powerful, evocative artworks that remember our industrial past?
This resource suggests ideas for using your local industrial heritage as source material for creating a vibrant, atmospheric artwork.
Clark, James; The Bombardment of the Hartlepools (16 December 1914); Hartlepool Museums and Heritage Service; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/the-bombardment-of-the-hartlepools-16-december-1914-57018
How can art be used to tell us about important historical events?
This resource focuses on a painting from 1915, which shows the bombardment of Hartlepool by German warships during the First World War. It explores how art can be used to record events and how artists use visual elements to capture the drama of a scene.
What is a lifeboat? Who are the men and women who risk their lives to save others? How can we stay safe at the seaside?
This resource uses a painting of the Sir James Knott lifeboat and lifeboat crew to explore themes relating to lifeboats and the people who volunteer their time to help others.
With thanks to Art UK for their generous support putting these resources together.
