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Wingo Starr and friends form charity art gullery

Pamela TickellNorth East and Cumbria
Artworks Art4All CIC A composite of two model seagulls. The one on the left is made of paper mache. The birds wings are outstretched, and its mouth wide open, as if in flight. On the right, a large cushion is in the shape of the side profile of a seagull. There is a person wearing a red jumper who is holding up the model.Artworks Art4All CIC
Hundreds of model seagulls will be exhibited in Barrow, including Wingo Starr (on the right)

More than 200 model seagulls are to go on display later this month as part of a community art project.

Artworks Art4All, a Barrow-based community interest company, has been collecting pieces from schools and community groups for its exhibition since September.

Its volunteers run art projects for groups, including those experiencing isolation and mental health issues, to give them a space to be creative in a supportive environment.

Founding director Sharon Tait said gulls of all sizes, made of felt, glass and even sweets, would be exhibited and auctioned for charity. "We have a lot of seagulls in Barrow. A lot. And now we have even more," she said.

The exhibition is entitled What the Flock? The Seaquell, and builds on a similar project where people were invited to create model sheep.

Treasurer director Linda Rollinson said her favourite was a 5ft-tall (1.5m) cushioned seagull called Wingo Starr.

Its Men's Make and Mend group also made a huge cardboard creation called Steven Seagull.

She said it would be strange getting them all out again, as many seagulls had been stored in peoples' homes to avoid their facility being overrun.

Artworks Art4All CIC A volunteer called Lisa helps a man make his model seagull. The man, with grey hair and black glasses, is smiling as he places paper on a model seagull. Lisa, whose blonde hair is in a ponytail, is standing behind him.Artworks Art4All CIC
Artworks Art4All volunteers run sessions for people in the community

The collection will be displayed in two halves, one at The Dock Museum from 22 April to 3 May, and the other at The Bridge from 25 April to 2 May.

Tait spoke of people's pride at the prospect of becoming an exhibiting artist, and that people aged four to 94 had taken part.

It also sparked "lovely moments" during their sessions, including a person with dementia who spoke about his time flying in the RAF.

Artworks Art4All CIC Three man stand behind their model seagull which is made of cardboard. It has dark hair and thick eyebrows. It is surrounded by arts and crafts items including paint tubes and pliers.Artworks Art4All CIC
Contributors got creative with names, including one called Steven Seagull

Tait started the company five years ago after experiencing mental health issues and the accompanying waiting lists to get help.

"All of us [volunteers] want to give back and just help the community because we've been lucky enough to be supported by various services, but we know those services are stretched to their limits at the moment," she said.

"To come here and play, with resin or copper piping, and then talk whilst they're doing it helps them more than just sitting and talking."

Artworks Art4All CIC A composite of three model seagulls. The left most is a small design made of felt. The middle is made of colourful skittles. On the right, the seagull is made of varying sizes of wood.Artworks Art4All CIC
More than 200 seagull models will be displayed across Barrow

Money raised from a silent auction will be split between Artworks Art4All CIC and North West Blood Bikes Lancs and Lakes.

Tait urged people to come along to show their support.

"Love them or hate them, there will be a seagull of every type," she said.

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