Catherine Bertola makes site-specific installations, drawings and films that address the invisible histories of women, whose roles and contributions to society are overlooked and undervalued. The work gives voice to untold narratives, excavating the past to confront contemporary inequalities. Catherine Bertola (b.1975), graduated from Newcastle University in 1999, and lives and works in Newcastle upon Tyne. Her work has been commissioned and exhibited nationally and internationally with organisations such as Leeds Museums and Galleries, V&A Museum, Bronte Parsonage Museum, Whitworth Art Gallery, National Museum Wales, Museum of Arts and Design (New York), Crafts Council, Government Art Collection and several National Trust properties. In 2017 she was awarded a Leverhulme Trust Artist in Residency to carry out research with historian Dr Rachel Rich, Leeds Beckett University.

www.catherinebertola.co.uk

Cheryl Gavin

Cheryl began her career at Arts Council, where she led on numerous initiatives including Decibel, an inclusion advocacy role leading the North East Race Equality Strategy. As an experienced education, learning and participation specialist, she draws on experience as a Programme and Communications Director at an art education agency and strongly believes in the role of arts in health, with knowledge and skills developed whilst managing the Durham Arts on Prescription service. Cheryl has pioneered a number of Helix Arts collaborative programmes and became Director in 2020. She is a trained coach and mentor and runs a number of the organisation’s mentoring schemes. She is an Engage, PilotLight and Common Purpose Meridian Leadership alumni and advisor. As Chair of the North Tyneside Cultural Education Partnership she drives change for young people’s cultural opportunities in the borough. Completing the National Cultural Education Partnership leadership programme in 2021. She is the VCS representative on the North Tyneside Council’s Health and Wellbeing board. She is a proud Trustee for disability charity LD:North East and a resident of North Tyneside.

Many other things keep her busy, including running, lifting weights and looking after two energetic little boys alongside her sidekick Elvis the dog.

www.helixarts.com