A group of young artists from Chesterfield are set to display their work as part of a new exhibition in the town centre.
‘Chesterfield Through Our Eyes’ was created by members of the Next Gen collective and will be displayed in the Pavements Shopping Centre from Saturday 14 February until Sunday 14 March.
All the artists are aged between 16 and 30 and were invited to take part in an opportunity to gain experience responding to an artist brief to produce work for a public exhibition as part of the Animate Chesterfield programme.
Each of the artists were asked to think about what Chesterfield means to them, their connection to the town and what they think the future could hold for Chesterfield.
The young artists all produced a range of work, using different formats and techniques.
Emma White, one of the Next Gen participants, said: “It feels really good to take part in the exhibition, which has come together over the last year. I live in Chesterfield, and the town has inspired my artwork and creative expression. I’m looking forward to taking part in the Next Gen exhibition and showing different pieces of art that the group and I have created.”
The new exhibition display stands are funded through Animate Chesterfield - a programme of public art taking place throughout the regeneration projects in Chesterfield and Staveley.
After ‘Chesterfield Through Our Eyes’ finishes the boards will be used for an exhibition by Derbyshire Makes. In the future they will be available for community groups to host public exhibitions in Chesterfield.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We’re excited to be able to offer young local artists the opportunity to gain experience of working to a brief and exhibiting their work – what they have created for this exhibition showcases their fantastic talents and it’s well worth visiting.
“These new exhibition stands will also ensure that other members of the community will have the opportunity to showcase their work in the town centre. We’ll share more information about how local groups can book the exhibition stands on our website.”
Next Gen is a Junction Arts project that brings together young people aged 16–30 who are interested in pursuing a creative career. The project helps them develop their skills, knowledge, and confidence through a series of workshops and events led by professional artists.
Junction Arts Project Manager, Jemma Burton, said: “Next Gen has been running for three years, and during that time we’ve had the pleasure of working with some incredibly talented young people who have grown in confidence through the expert guidance and support the programme offers.
“Our 2024/25 cohort had the added excitement of working on a live brief. The Animate Project helped to focus their creativity and gave them the fantastic opportunity to see their work showcased in a public exhibition. Experiences like this inspire young people to push themselves, see real possibilities in creative careers, and recognise Chesterfield as a town that champions young people, culture, and the arts.”
Animate Chesterfield is a programme being led by Chesterfield Borough Council and delivered by Beam, a leading cultural development organisation. It has included the appointment of an artist in residence to engage residents and visitors with Chesterfield town centre, Christmas window trails, careers insight for students at Chesterfield College, and a new town centre mural. The programme also includes a new heritage arts trail and sculpture in Staveley town centre.
Funding for the public art project was secured through planning agreements as part of the council’s percent for art scheme, which was part of the previous Local Plan (and now continues on a voluntary basis), and the funding must be used for the delivery of public art.
To find out more about the programme, visit our Animate Chesterfield pages.
