About

It all began as Loveartnortheast in 2013 with twelve artists and one small monthly arts' event at Jesmond Dene at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Within a few months we had doubled in size and began popping up at several other venues in Newcastle. They included monthly and annual arts fairs and exhibitions at Central Station, St Nicholas' Cathedral and Grey's Monument/Grainger Street. This all continued until the pandemic, which led to a change of direction in a bid to keep things going. Virtual artists' studios were set up, a new website was built and a name change was necessary when we began attracting artists from further afield.

The online studios are now home to around 50 artists and makers from across the north of England and southern Scotland and run alongside our regular pop-up events.

A house move further north - much further north - by our Creative Director Lesley, led to other changes, with new venues and events closer to home in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. In 2025 we're expanding even more by launching a new Art Trail which will embody all our existing events and introduce a few new ones.

Please visit our Events' pages to find out more and head to our Artists' Studios directory to meet our online residents. Click the images to visit each artist's studio.

Image 1 - Fighting Stags and Deer in willow created by fibre artist Anna Turnbull exhibited at one of our Christmas Arts' Fairs at St Nicholas' Cathedral, Newcastle.

Image 2 -Various exhibits at one of our annual Northbound Exhibitions at

Newcastle Central Station.

Our Team

Lesley McNish

Founder/Creative Director

A North of England journalist, who worked for over 30 years in print and broadcast media. Loves colourful, quirky art and artisan craft. Always has a head full of ideas and doesn't sit still for very long. Has occasional bursts of creativity (makes gemstone jewellery and knits slowly (learned while helping out in her parents' wool shops from the age of eight).

Missy MooMoo

The Real Boss

Behind every great leader is a moggy or two.

Missy is a rescued house cat - adopted 6 years ago - age unknown. She is very vocal, always has an answer when questioned and prefers to do her thinking inside the box (any box will do, but this one has her name on it).

Our Journey....So Far

Thought we'd share a few images of our past (and present) events and promo artwork to bring back a few memories of our amazing journey since 2013 and to say a huge thank you to all the artists, customers, visitors and venues that have supported us over the years.