Community artwork celebrating North East nature to go on show

ARTWORK inspired by a North East park and created by community volunteers will be exhibited to celebrate their town’s wildlife and nature.

Durham Wildlife Trust worked with amateur artists from across the region to create the Trail in the Trees, a nature trail for Hetton Park, within the Coalfield area of Sunderland, at Hetton-le-Hole.

As part of the Links with Nature project, volunteers collaborated with local artist Michelle Flynn to handmake a series of ceramic plaques to celebrate the wildlife and biodiversity found at the urban park, based on sightings, historical accounts, and personal experiences.

Dark blue display cabinet with glass doors showcasing ten ceramic tiles arranged on three shelves. Each tile features a nature or animal design—such as squirrel, mushrooms, owl, fish, kingfisher, duck, heron, dragonfly, and European eel—accompanied by small descriptive placards. Top tile labeled “Hetton Park Trail.” Educational exhibit promoting local wildlife, with logos from Durham County Council and Groundwork NE & Cumbria.

Michelle, who runs Green Witch Pottery and Art, said: “I’m always amazed by the wildlife at Hetton Park, because it simply wasn’t there while I was growing up.

“This project has been very special to me, having grown up in this area, and I’m proud to have worked on something to enrich my local community.”

The finished artworks will be exhibited at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve from January 26 to February 3, the Hetton Centre on February 4, and Springboard Adventure at Hetton Lyons Country Park from February 5 to 15, before taking up permanent residence as part of the nature trail at Hetton Park.

Three ceramic art tiles in a display case, each showing a different pondside animal: a Grey Heron with fish, a detailed Mayfly on a branch, and a winding European Eel with aquatic plants—each labeled and accompanied by a descriptive placard.

Three of the Hetton Trail plaques

Display case with three ceramic art tiles depicting river wildlife. Tile 5 shows a brown trout and pennywort; Tile 6 features a kingfisher in flight; Tile 7 illustrates a four-spotted chaser dragonfly. Each tile is labeled and accompanied by placards describing a sensory story project about river recovery and local species.

Hetton Trail ceramics in display case

Display case with five colorful ceramic plaques, each featuring nature-themed designs and text.

Hetton Trail ceramic plaques

Pip Jackson, Links with Nature Engagement Officer for Durham Wildlife Trust, said: “It’s been a joy to see people in our community learn about our local wildlife and develop their artistic confidence through this project.

“It’s done wonders for helping them feel a sense of connection with the park, and pride in creating something for visitors to enjoy.

materials to make ceramic plaques on a table with phone showing kingfisher image

the back of the head of a person working on plaque creation at a table with craft materials all around

A person with dark hair sitting at a table with a paint pot working on ceramic plaques

“It’s a wonderful example of how protecting our greenspaces can lead to restoration of habitats, improved biodiversity of species, and provide a place for people to reconnect with and experience nature. We are thrilled to champion their efforts and showcase their work through these community exhibitions.”

The project has proved such a success that a second artwork trail is being planned for Hetton Lyons Country Park, with work starting on February 13.

Any local people wanting to take part in creating the artwork can visit LWNTTHLCP.eventbrite.co.uk to sign up for the ceramics workshop.

Links with Nature is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Sunderland City Council Coalfield Area Committee, North East Community Forest and Northumbrian Water’s Bluespaces Programme.