NE1’s Christmas Windows return to Newcastle

Newcastle is alive with colourful artwork once again this year, as NE1’s Newcastle’s Christmas Windows bring even more festive cheer to the city. The project began during lockdown in 2020 and has become a much-loved staple of NE1’s Christmas festivities ever since.
 

NE1’s Lily Morris explains the origins of the project. “Newcastle's Christmas Windows started in 2020 to bring a bit of festive cheer to the city during lockdown when our local walks were a bit boring! The idea was to pay homage to the much-loved Fenwick window and to bring a community feel and focus to vacant properties and festive cheer to the streets.”
 

The initiative was well-received and NE1 have continued to deliver Christmas windows across the city ever since. This year, as in 2020 and 2021, the windows of vacant properties in the city have been given a fresh look, and throughout the festive period will shine with colourful and fun designs which have been commissioned by NE1. An open competition was also held earlier this year, and local schoolchildren and Northumbria University students have shown off their skills too.
 

Seven locations across the city feature 15 fabulously festive artworks, and they all have a brilliant local spin, as Lily explains. “There’s a festive element to them all, but one of the great things about most of the artwork is that they’ve got a Newcastle spin. Anna Featherstone’s design on Grainger Street was one of the winning entries from the open competition and features an image of the Monument with a fun caption that says ‘Santa is a Geordie’, while the one next door by Lucy Kitching looks across the city and features the Tyne Bridge, the Monument and the Angel of the North. They’ve really put an emphasis on the local angle, which is great!”

With sites dotted across the city, the Christmas Window trail is a real highlight of the festive season. Northumbria University graphic design student Chloe Arthington’s work is on display at 78 Grainger Street; while fellow students James Lack, Ethan Proctor, and Klaudia Rozycka’s work can be found in The Gate. You’ll also find one of the winners of the open competition, Alice Adams, at Debenhams in Eldon Square; at the old Halifax site on New Bridge Street you’ll find commissioned work by artists Sophia Barton and Sara Gibbeson; while at the old Maplin store on Grainger Street commissioned artist Lucy Kitching and winning entry Anna Featherstone join artwork created by pupils at Eastlea Primary School. Over at Tapas Revolution on Blackett Street you’ll find artwork from students at West Denton Primary School as well as Northumbria University student Martyna Migawa and a competition-winning design from Agata Lis.

The old TM Lewin store at 29 Market Street is where you’ll find the ever-popular Creative Ginger’s hand-drawn work. “Creative Ginger is absolutely amazing,” enthuses Lily. “He’s done it for the last couple of years, and he’s got the same spot because people love seeing his work.”
 

While you’re on your Christmas Windows hunt, be sure to pay a visit to the Christmas Market, treat yourself to something tasty from the food stalls or have a well-earned drink at the fab Moosenwirt on Grey Street, and make a real day of it! Don’t forget to tag @newcastlene1 on Instagram with your Christmas Window selfies!