North East Equality Awards 2018: Exhibiting at the Hilton Hotel

The North East Equality Awards 2018 marked the fifteenth year of the event. On a much more personal note, it was my first ever solo show. It was the largest ceremony that Equality North East had organised to date and it was held this year at the Hilton Hotel Newcastle Gateshead with over 360 guests. In such a prestigious venue, this was a big deal for everybody involved. I was the Event Sponsor as I had been commissioned by Andrea at Gateshead College for the last six months to create the '100 Years of Women's Rights' project.

The final piece, which had been collaboratively created by myself and the board at Equality North East, was beautifully printed and handed out as the art prize to each of the category winners. The evening celebrated outstanding achievements in equality by companies and individuals across the region. I am so appreciative for such an incredible opportunity so early on in my career. We were all entertained wonderfully with dramatic performances, live music, a formal dinner and speeches. The Keynote Speaker was Frances O'Grady of the Trades Union Congress who had flown over from Europe specially to attend. It was an unforgettable night and the greatest honour came in having one of my art prints taken home by the TUC where it now hangs proudly in Congress House, London.