The ‘To Bewick and Back’ project retraced the steps of wood engraver and naturalist Thomas Bewick (1753 -1828) along the route from his Gateshead home and Newcastle workshops to his birthplace in Cherryburn, south Northumberland.
During four guided walks, the project took participating members of the public on a journey, literal and metaphorical, which explored the history and natural heritage of the route from Bewick’s birthplace to where he developed his gift for interpreting the natural world.
The walks were led by Keith Bowey, natural historian and Marcia Ley, artist and took place in the late summer/early autumn 2014. The participants’ impressions of the landscapes they walked through and the wildlife they experienced en route was captured using words, recordings and digital images. These images were shown in an exhibition in the public art space at Gateshead Civic Centre, and the Gateshead Library Gallery. Please click here to download the poster for the project with further information about how to sign up for walks.
This project has been supported by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (Sharing Heritage). Please click here to download more information about this project.