Meet our first artist in residence

As part of our commitment to investing in Byker, we’ve been transforming some of the hobby rooms on the estate into new spaces for the community.

With funding from Historic England, the hobby room on St Michael’s Mount, which has sat derelict since 1988, has been transformed into an artist studio.

This then left us with the question – who will be our first artist in residence? After a call out to the local community, and interviews with some of our community partners and involved residents, we’re pleased to share that local artist Lucy Minta Reeves will be the first ever artist in residence on the Byker Estate.

We sat down with Lucy to find out a bit more about her work, the exciting plans for the space and working with the community.

Hi Lucy, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your work?

I am a costume and prop maker with 18 years of experience working across theatre, dance, live events and community arts projects. Alongside my professional making practice, I have experience facilitating creative workshops and community projects. I am passionate about creating opportunities for people to engage with creativity and developing projects that bring people together through making, learning and shared experiences.

How did you find out about the artist in residence opportunity?

I heard about the artist in residence opportunity through social media. I was interested because it seemed like a great opportunity to combine my experience as a maker, facilitator and community arts practitioner in a project rooted in a local community.

What made you want to apply to be our first artist in residence?

I was drawn to the opportunity because I enjoy working collaboratively with communities and creating projects that have a lasting impact. The residency feels like a chance to bring together my practical making skills, experience of facilitating creative activities and passion for widening access to the arts. I am excited by the possibility of building something meaningful with local residents and creating opportunities for people to 
learn new skills and express their creativity.

Why did you want to be based in Byker?

I am interested in being based in Byker because it is close to where I live and, more importantly, because it offers the opportunity to become genuinely embedded within the community I would be working alongside. I believe that the most meaningful community projects come from spending time in a place, getting to know its people and building relationships based on trust and shared experiences. Byker has a strong identity and a real sense of community pride, and I am very excited to work with local residents to celebrate the stories, creativity and character that make the area unique.

What do you think of the studio space?

The studio offers an excellent base for developing a community-focused project. Having a dedicated, visible space within the area creates opportunities for people to drop in, get involved and see work developing over time. It feels like a welcoming environment that could become a hub for creativity, conversation and making.

What can the community expect from you using the studio?

An open, welcoming and inclusive creative space. I would like to create opportunities for people to learn practical making skills, share ideas and contribute to collaborative projects. One idea I am interested in exploring is the creation of a large scale recycled “proggy”/”clippy” mat banner which celebrates local stories and pride in place. More broadly, I would hope to create an environment where people feel comfortable trying something new, developing confidence in their creativity and connecting with others through making. I believe access to creative opportunities is important, and it would be a privilege to help provide that through the residency.