Who is our Artist in Residence?

Sarah Calavera is a mixed media artist, gel print maker and creative explorer based in Crook, County Durham. 

As well as being a practising artist, she offers guided workshops that promote a culture of inclusiveness, dynamism, and proactive engagement with Art & Craft.

Sarah’s on a mission to create dynamic and stimulating spaces that encourage people to explore and unleash their creative abilities. Her workshops are about having fun while developing essential critical thinking skills and elevating the creative process. 

Sarah’s creative works are inspired and influenced by her love of retro horror/sci-fi, goth and punk subculture, street art, pop/lowbrow art, and exploring the uses of unconventional materials in creative expression.

She’s also an active member of North East public art collective, Strike. Their members are creative practitioners, visual artists, writers and poets, creative small businesses, and innovative leaders working locally to support positive engagement with the Arts across County Durham and the North East.

You can visit their current outdoor exhibition in partnership with DU Arts titled This Is Strike until November 14th 2024 outside the Bill Bryson Library for more information about the artists. 

@sarahcalavera

@grimcraftshop 

@strike_collective 

Where can you find Sarah?

Freshers Fair, Maiden Castle
Wednesday 2nd October, 10-4pm
Drop by the DU Arts pop-up stall at the Freshers Fair and find out how you can take part in this year's open call for the Student Art Prize 2024/25. Come along and get creative with our Fresh Ideas drawing/writing session based on this year’s prize theme of LIGHT. All participants can take away an arty goodie bag!

Student Art Prize Launch, Palatine Centre
Thursday 31st October, 5.30-7pm
Discover how you can be involved in this year’s DU Art School Student Prize, centred around the theme of LIGHT. Join engaging talks with our academic staff, local creatives, and artist-in-residence Sarah Calavera as we explore the creative potential and deeper meanings that LIGHT can inspire. It’s your chance to spark new ideas, ask questions, and connect with fellow art enthusiasts at Durham University.

Explore Gel printing workshop, 7 Owengate 
Wednesday 6th November, 4-6pm
Explore the dynamic universe of gel plate printing in this hands-on workshop with local North East mixed media artist Sarah Calavera! 

Drop in at Bill Bryson Library 
Friday 15th November, 1.30-4pm
Drop by for a 1:1 Art Clinic with our Artist in Residence Sarah Calavera. These casual afternoon sessions are your chance to get creative advice, conquer creative roadblocks, ask about the prize and share your work in progress. No appointment needed, just come on by for a chat! 

Explore Cyanotype workshop, 7 Owengate
Wednesday 20th November, 4-6pm
Painting with  UV Light - The Art of the Blueprint
Cyanotypes are a form of cameraless photography that beautifully combine art with science. In this workshop you’ll be painting with a UV light sensitive solution of ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide directly onto paper, that captures every brushstroke you make creating a truly unique photograph with each print.

Drop in at Teaching and Learning Centre
Friday 29th November, 1.30-4pm
Drop by for a 1:1 Art Clinic with our Artist in Residence Sarah Calavera. These casual afternoon sessions are your chance to get creative advice, conquer creative roadblocks, ask about the prize and share your work in progress. No appointment needed, just come on by for a chat!

Explore Image Transfer workshop, 7 Owengate
Wednesday 4th December, 4-6pm
Join Mixed Media Artist Sarah Calavera for an exciting hands-on workshop and discover the magic of laser print image transfers! 

Elevate Gel printing Workshop, 7 Owengate
Wednesday 22nd January, 4-6pm
Take your gel printing skills to the next level in this exciting 2-hour workshop with our local Artist in Residency, Sarah Calavera! 

Drop in at Teaching and Learning Centre
Wednesday 31st January, 1.30-4pm
Drop by for a 1:1 Art Clinic with our Artist in Residence Sarah Calavera. These casual afternoon sessions are your chance to get creative advice, conquer creative roadblocks, ask about the prize and share your work in progress. No appointment needed, just come on by for a chat!

Focus Artist Talk, 7 Owengate
Wednesday 5th February, 4-6pm
Artist talk, as a wrap up of residency. Find out more about Sarah's practice and what Sarah has created along the way.

Drop in at Bill Bryson Library
Wednesday 12th February, 1.30-4pm
Drop by for a 1:1 Art Clinic with our Artist in Residence Sarah Calavera. These casual afternoon sessions are your chance to get creative advice, conquer creative roadblocks, ask about the prize and share your work in progress. No appointment needed, just come on by for a chat!