NORTHERN PRIDE ANNOUNCES LOCAL ARTISTS COMMISSIONED FOR THIS YEAR’S PRIDE IN THE CITY

Following a commission's call out in partnership with Creative Central NCL and Curious

Arts, Northern Pride has announced Azula Bandit and Chris Fleming (Ida4) as the two artists selected to receive full creative commissions for this year’s Pride in the City.

The call-out challenged artists to respond to the theme Unapologetically Visible, highlighting what this means to them and how it is expressed and explored through their creativity. The two selected artists will receive £2500 worth of funding to develop and elevate their artistry, which will be showcased during this year’s Pride in the City festival, presented in partnership with NE1.

Multi-talented dancer and DJ Azula Bandit aims to encourage and inspire through cultural representation and self-expression, honouring their heritage through art and providing a different perspective to individuals from a similar background, encouraging people to take ownership in telling their own stories.

Azula Bandit, one of the selected artists to be showcased during Pride in the City 2024

Stencil artist Chris Fleming, artist name IDa4, produces bodies of work that remind people

that the LGBTQIA+ community has always been, is now and will always be a key part of the wider community, contributing to all sectors of life.

Stencil Artist Chris Fleming otherwise known as IDa4

A further four local artists have also been awarded a ‘Get Ready Grant’, spanning dance,

writing, physical art, and music. Jenny Chrisp, Emory Southwick, Alison Carr, and The Girls,

Theys and Slays Choir led by Maya Torres and Rosie Bowden will receive £750 of funding to enhance their art and explore new ideas.

Vix Leaney, Creative Central NCL Project Manager added:

“We’re really proud to be supporting Northern Pride this year to give these artists the chance to showcase their work and celebrate Pride. In total, Creative Central NCL have been able to fund six opportunities for LGBTQIA+ artists and creatives to not just create new work, but test ideas, get some mentoring, develop their career and work with the experienced producers at Curious Arts. I'm looking forward to seeing everything come together at this year’s Pride in the City festival in July.”

When asked about what the theme, Unapologetically Visible, meant to them, all artists

agreed that this year it's all about being entirely yourself, in whatever way that manifests itself for you, standing with sheer pride and without any shame or dilution.

Jenny Chrisp who aims to explore motherhood and queer identity through dance

Jenny Chrisp will explore themes of motherhood and the loss of queer identity through

dance, in a way that is true, personal and raw, inspiring those who feel their sexuality may

be forgotten, hidden or lost to become unapologetically visible.

Emory Southwick will produce artwork that celebrates queer bodies, highlighting the

beautifully diverse community and showcasing, in particular, how trans bodies are often

overlooked in the media.

Artist Emory Southwick

Alison Carr hopes to develop the beginnings of a character, story and a way of telling it.

Creating a space to work collaboratively with other local artists to explore a new idea.

Alison Carr recipient of the Pride In The City Get Ready Grant

The Girls, Theys and Slays Choir led by Maya Torres and Rosie Bowden also hope to

explore a new strand of work by writing an original song. Creating a larger sense of identity as a group and promoting growth by creating a community that encourages local people to get involved.

The Girls, Theys and Slays Choir who plan to write an original song.

The events to celebrate the commissioned art and performances will be announced soon and will feature as part of a wider programme of satellite events celebrating Pride in the City 2024, which will kick off from 5 July and end in the Festival weekend, 19-21 July.

Learn More Here