North East blog InNewcastle.co.uk is raising money for 11 Tyneside theatres which have been hit by the coronavirus lockdown by selling A4 photo prints of specially commissioned designs featuring The Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Sage Gateshead, Live Theatre Newcastle, Northern Stage, The People's Theatre Newcastle, The Little Theatre Gateshead, Alphabetti Theatre, Gosforth Civic Theatre, Playhouse Whitley Bay and The Customs House, South Shields.
The idea came from blogger Aaron Whittington who commissioned a unique print design from local Newcastle artist Elizabeth Carins of Blinkn’ Imp.
“Being an entertainment web site,” Whittington said, “we have had the opportunity to visit these fantastic venues and seen many shows. During this tough time, it just felt right to want to give back and attempt to raise some money for them.”
“It means a great deal to have been selected to design this piece,” Carins added. “Over the years, I have been to many of the North East theatres to enjoy numerous music gigs and performances which were definitely some of the highlights of my life. The arts mean a lot to me and often inspire me in my own creative work.”
There are 11 individual prints and one composite of them all available at £12 each, plus a unisex hoodie featuring the composite at £28 and a short-sleeved T-shirt with the same image at £17.
All profits go to the theatres and the prints can all be purchased online from the Etsy store.