Finalist for International Award with We Are Staffordshire

Finalist for International Award with We Are Staffordshire

I'm delighted to be part of the team assembled by We Are Staffordshire, which has made it as a finalist in the Best Citizen Engagement category at the international City Nation Place Awards.

In the Citizen Engagement category, We Are Staffordshire (the place marketing delivery organisation for the county) is shortlisted against the likes of Chile, Costa Rica and Tasmania for its work to engage the county’s young people.

As a central part of 2024 Staffordshire Day celebrations, a creative campaign was developed to raise civic pride, while inspiring and educating younger residents across the county through the medium of art.

Take a look at the below video to find out more about the project - at the start, I'm explaining what we did:

Eleven workshops took place in schools across Staffordshire with six freelance artists including myself, working with pupils to create bunting, collages, line drawings and dance – all asking pupils to consider what Staffordshire means to them. During Staffordshire Day celebrations, the completed work was displayed at World of Wedgwood and Lichfield Cathedral.

Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said about the project: “For Staffordshire to be recognised in a top international industry award once again demonstrates the hard work, commitment and production quality the team and its partners have shown. Being selected alongside countries, globally recognised cities and large regions is an outstanding achievement in itself.

“And to be shortlisted for this award will put us on the international stage for our work within the county to engage with our communities and develop a collective sense of pride in our place.”

I was delighted to be selected by We Are Staffordshire / Staffordshire County Council to be part of the art project celebrating what Staffordshire means to school pupils. The artwork I created with two Year 6 classes at Werrington Primary School to celebrate Staffordshire Day was displayed at the World of Wedgwood.

Staffordshire Day is held on 1st May each year and it's when the county comes together to share its pride and celebrate all that’s great about Staffordshire.

In my art workshops each child designed a tile-sized piece of art (with a nod to Staffordshire ceramics industries) that created a large artwork for each class. These mosaics of tiles help show the breadth and diversity of Staffordshire. 


Please get in touch if you’d like know more about my work or are interested in attending one of my Kate Dawes Studio interactive pen drawing workshops or would like me to run one for your school, event or group. 

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