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13
Jan
New group mounts exhibition of young people's art in Pateley Bridge
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An exhibition of young people’s artwork will open this afternoon for one evening only in Pateley Bridge.
Make Your Mark will feature work by eight young students who created work over a six-week period through a new community interest company (CIC) called Thread.
The artists, who range in age from year 5 in primary school to year 9 in secondary school (10 to 14), took part in Print Rebels, Thread’s first official six-week course, where young people will gain a recognised Arts Award Discover qualification.
Kerry Thorpe, the driving force behind the initiative, said:
I’ve been an art teacher for 14 years and completed a maternity cover at Nidderdale High School last year. When that role came to an end, it became clear just how many young people were struggling to find a space where they felt confident, supported and able to be themselves. That was the catalyst for starting Thread.
It started as a small idea back in June 2025 and opened its doors in September. Since then, it has grown quickly in response to the needs of local young people and families.
In that time, Thread has secured premises in Pateley Bridge, gained North Yorkshire Council approval as a recognised Alternative Provider, become an approved Functional Skills Maths exam centre up to GCSE equivalent, and a registered Arts Award centre delivering up to GCSE level. There are also plans to extend to A level equivalent arts later this year and add in English functional skills, along with other digital and business-related courses.
Ms Thorpe said:
This exhibition is the ‘sharing’ part of the course. We could do it online, and share with parents or myself, but I thought no, let’s go a bit bigger!
I have invited community and councillors as I believe this work needs to be shared and young people celebrated. They don’t always have a positive light shone on their behalf. Given the chance and someone to encourage them, young people can do amazing things.
Thread also delivers Bronze and Silver Arts Awards, and all its courses lead to recognised qualifications. These can support entry to college and help build portfolios, but Ms Thorpe said their most important function was to develop confidence and self-belief.
She said:
We follow the motto of ‘Just do - Be You’ whilst having fun. Fun is key – if we enjoy what we do, we will thrive.
Thread may be small, but it has a big heart. People are at the core of everything we do – the tutors I work with, the families who trust us, and of course the amazing young people I see each week.
Make Your Mark can be viewed at Thread’s premises on King Street today (Tuesday, January 13) from 4 to 6pm.
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