This summer, Hopetown Darlington welcomes a unique and interactive outdoor exhibition that brings the past to life through creativity, conversation, and community. The Kiosk, created by local artist Adam Shaw, is a touring artwork that invites visitors of all ages to explore memory, nostalgia, and local heritage in an imaginative and hands-on way.
Inspired by the E.D. Walker & Wilson newsagent’s kiosk—on display at the North Road Station Museum—Adam Shaw has reimagined this iconic piece of Darlington’s past into a mobile creative space. The Kiosk now serves as a hub for conservation, visual storytelling, and participatory workshops that engage directly with the rich history of the area.
Supported by Navigator North and Middlesbrough Art Week’s FORGED programme, and made possible through funding from the S&DR 26 Miles Community Grant Scheme, the National Heritage Lottery Fund, Creative Darlington, and Hopetown Darlington, The Kiosk offers an exciting and accessible experience for families this summer.
A Living, Breathing Heritage Experience
The Kiosk is more than just an artwork—it’s a space for dialogue, creativity, and discovery. After a visit to pupils at The Rydal Academy in July, The Kiosk is now in public residency throughout the summer holidays, located in the Goods Yard at Hopetown Darlington.
Visitors are invited to take part in free creative sessions, speak with artists and volunteers, and contribute their own stories, drawings, and memories. Artist Adam Shaw will be running printmaking and etching workshops, encouraging hands-on exploration of the past and helping participants connect with heritage through the act of making.
“The Kiosk is about gathering traces — stories, drawings, memories — and inviting people to step into the past through imagination,” said Adam. “Hopetown feels like the perfect place to do that. It’s where history was made, but also where young people today can make something new from it.”
Dates to Visit
The Kiosk is open every day throughout the summer as a standalone artwork, with creative sessions taking place on selected dates including:
July – 19, 23, 26
August – 3, 7, 9, 12, 17, 24, 29, and 30
Entry to The Kiosk and all related activities is included in free site admission, making it a perfect day out for families looking to be inspired by local culture.
What’s Next?
After its time at Hopetown Darlington, The Kiosk will continue its tour, heading to Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College where students will have the opportunity to build on the stories and artwork gathered over the summer.
This exhibition is also part of the lead-up to the S&DR200 Celebrations in 2025, and complements other major events at Hopetown this year, including the STEAM to the Future exhibition and Titans of Steam.
“We’re delighted to welcome The Kiosk onto Hopetown Darlington’s site,” said Mike Crawshaw, Head of Heritage and Culture. “It adds to an already fantastic line-up of events and activities for the whole family over the bicentenary summer.”
Councillor Libby McCollom added: “This new visual exhibition is yet another reason to visit Hopetown Darlington—offering a fantastic and accessible day out for families from across Darlington and the North East.”
