Gateshead Art Gallery launches spring activities programme
Gateshead's Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art is encouraging families to celebrate the return of spring this Easter - with 2 weeks of free, nature themed activities
To celebrate the arrival of Spring and the start of the Easter school holidays, Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art has announced a packed two-week programme of free, nature-themed events and activities at the international art gallery.
All the events as part of Spring Into Action have an emphasis on climate, the environment and educating and fostering an appreciation for nature and wildlife. Focusing on the areas in and around Baltic, along the River Tyne and the NewcastleGateshead Quayside, Spring Into Action aims to inspire people’s passion for nature by providing hands-on learning experiences.
Baltic's beloved wild residents will be the focus of daily Talks & Tours throughout Spring Into Action (3-19 April). Visitors can learn more about the gallery’s famous colony of kittiwakes, officially recognised as the furthest inland kittiwake colony in the world. And with Baltic's resident honeybees returning to their hives for the summer, Baltic Crew will lead free tours exploring the crucial role bees play in our ecosystems. There’ll even be the chance to taste some honey from the rooftop hives.
Children and families can take part in a range of free activities to celebrate and discover the return of the Spring season. From animal and insect workshops (11 April) and potting up bee-friendly plants (9 April) to birdwatching bike rides (10,17 April) and accessible storytimes (15 April), there’s something to suit children of all ages, abilities and interests.
Other activities taking place during the two-week programme include the chance to get outdoor and active with the Natural History Society of Northumbria on a guided Urban Nature Trail along the Gateshead and Newcastle Quayside (3, 9, 17 April). Discovering wildlife hiding in plain sight, the Urban Nature Trails last one hour fifteen minutes and are suitable for children and families of all ages.
For families that want to explore nature on two wheels, Birdwatch Bike Tour’s with North East Young Dads & Lads takes riders on one of two nature-themed rides; an 18 mile round trip from Baltic to Gibside, or a six-mile ride along the Gateshead riverside to the Kittiwake Tower Local Nature Reserve (10, 17 April). Joining each tour is wildlife photographer and rewilding expert, Cain Scrimgeour from Wild Intrigue. Cain will be helping families identify wildlife along each route.
Expert cycling leaders from North East Dads & Lads will also be leading Pedal & Play skills track sessions for children of all ages on Baltic Square. Taking place on Friday 3 April, these fun sessions are designed to help everyone feel confident on two wheels.
The springtime activities continue inside Baltic with TimbaTime Storytime, an interactive and sensory session by TimbaDash Theatre for children and young people with learning disabilities (15 April). Spring herbs including rosemary, thyme, basil and mint will evoke the smells of the season, and music specially designed for SEND children and families will conjure the excitement and wonder of Spring.
Other activities include Play & Learn sensory sessions themed around Spring for under fives (8, 15 April) and Meet & Make creative Spring themed art sessions for ages 5-12 (5, 12, 19 April).
Baltic’s Front Room will welcome the Natural History Society of Northumbria for two special drop-in sessions where the team will talk about its work caring for Gosforth Nature Reserve. Visitors will be able to create wildflower seedballs and create some nature-inspired origami (15, 16 April).
Baltic Library will also have a selection of zines on display inspired by Spring Into Action and current exhibition, For All At Last Return (3-17 April).
Spring Into Action is part of Birds, Bees, Bikes & Trees, a partnership project between Baltic, North East Young Dads & Lads and Newcastle University, funded by the National Lottery Climate Action Fund.