I spoke to Jack James the Participation and Engagement Officer at The Tetley, Hunslet’s own art gallery, about the new Tiny Tetley Studio.
Tiny Tetley runs from 10am until 5pm from Wednesday through to Sunday. The sessions take place on the second floor and are absolutely free!
The Tiny Tetley Studio is a new artist-designed space for children under five. Jack explained to me that he and his team wanted to make sure the sessions were free in order that they can be accessed by as many people as possible.
Although The Tetley is a very busy venue, hosting exhibitions, events and weddings, Jack had noticed that the second floor was less well used.
This was where his quiet office was housed and he realised that due to more blended working since the pandemic this space could be better used as a new play area for under 5s.
Jack dedicated lots of energy into getting the space organized and invited initial proposals from artists. Stephanie Jefferies is the artist they chose – not only is she as an artist she has been a nursery school teacher and is a trained Montessori teacher too.
Together they worked with Three Create, Yorkshire’s leading play space designers. Stephanie has designed a series of toys and objects for children to play with, and the freshly designed space includes a climbing frame and a slide.
A bespoke sound installation by Buffalo Sound Design provides relaxing background music. There are three small spheres, each with a unique track, hidden around the space and waiting to be discovered by tiny hands. The team even have breastfeeding aids crocheted by Leeds Bosom Buddies fb.com/Cityand HunsletBosomBuddies/
Jack describes the warm, bright light in the room as “exceptional” – and as a safe, secure, beautiful space for families to spend time with friends and their small people.
Watch this space as Jack and the Tetley team will be leading outreach workshops in South Leeds at the Hamara Centre shortly.
For access to the artist-designed play space at Tiny Tetley, you need to sign up for a free Family Pass here:
bit.ly/TetleyPass
With the pass you will also receive:
- Special discounts in The Tetley Bar & Kitchen
- Access to other free family activities
- Updates on their family events
Looks lovely and much needed to help new parents get socialising again. BUT where the heck is it. I am south Leeds born and bred and have no idea where The Tetley is so its a bit pointless saying its upstairs.?
My apologies Robyn, The Tetley’s address is Hunslet Rd, Leeds LS10 1JQ, not far from The Adelphi.