Middlesbrough Mela is celebrating hidden heroes in the local community with the Seeds of Hope exhibition, highlighting individuals whose selfless acts of kindness have benefited their community.
The chosen heroes have been captured by award winning Portrait of Britain 2020 photographer Joanne Coates and are now a part of the new outdoor exhibition this summer.
John Kabuye (above), of the Ubuntu Multicultural Centre - one of the chosen heroes -worked throughout 2020 with wife Irene to provide food and community support, and to help reduce social isolation.
He said: "The Ubuntu Centre is a people centre, where people can come any time they want.
"They can come and talk - we are here to talk, and they don't feel isolated."
Visitors to both Albert Park and Stewart Park can also enjoy a new art installation by artist Andrew McKeown (below).
Endless Convenience is a series of sculptures inspired by shapes and forms found in plastic fast food containers.
The work comments on society's reliance on convenience food in plastic packaging, and how our ‘throw away' culture creates endless plastic waste.
As part of the project, Andrew worked with Year 5 children from Lingfield Primary School in Marton, who created their own smaller plaster versions of the Endless Convenience sculptures using plastic containers they had collected.
Councillor Mieka Smiles, Middlesbrough's Deputy Mayor and Executive member for Culture & Communities, said: "It's brilliant to see some of our true community heroes gain recognition for the amazing work they do for the people of Middlesbrough, which all too often goes unrecognised.
"The Seeds of Hope exhibition in Albert park sits really nicely with the new art installation by artist Andrew McKeown, which has been created with help from local school students.
"The thought-provoking sculptures highlight how we must be mindful of food packaging to reduce the amount of plastic waste we create."
The installation is part of Middlesbrough's new public art programme, delivered by artist-led organisation Navigator North in partnership with Middlesbrough Council, using Arts Council funding.
The programme will see 11 works installed across Middlesbrough town centre in the coming months, including installations in the Parkway Centre, Brentnall Centre and Church House.
More information on Albert Park can be found: Albert Park | Middlesbrough Council
