The online gallery that explores the connection between loss, creativity and healing announces its partnership with Leeds International Festival of Ideas.
Projecting Grief is the profound work of photographer Jo Ritchie and writer Laura McDonagh.
After tragically losing her brother Jack to suicide resulting from a gambling addiction in 2017, Jo looked for others who found comfort in creativity and took their portraits.
She was then joined by Laura, whose mother Anne sadly passed away in 2019 and felt the urge to document her thoughts on family, identity and home.
Image: Supplied
Having featured on Projecting Grief herself in 2021, Laura joined Jo and they now work together to give comfort to others and explore the profound connection between loss, creativity and healing.
Now collaborating with Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2023, they are presenting an inspiring exhibition focusing on the complexities of loss and how art can be a useful medium for grieving.
Projecting Grief will present a fascinating offline exhibition in the heart of the city centre at Victoria Gate from 18 - 27 August 2023.
Image: Supplied
Viewers can fully immerse themselves in real-life stories of grief and will also have the opportunity to take part in creative workshops covering textile art, writing and paper flower making.
The exhibition will be part of the exciting build-up to LIFI 23's discussion panel event 'How do we talk about grief?' featuring Dame Prue Leith and Will Young taking place on Saturday 30 September at Leeds Playhouse.
Workshops taking place over the exhibition weekend include a creative writing workshop by acclaimed author Freya Bromley, a class on making your own pocket design by Yorkshire-based artist Hayley Mills-Styles and a paper flower craft workshop.
Image Supplied
The workshops are completely free of charge and tickets can be purchased here.
In discussing the profound impact of creativity on grief, Jo Ritchie said, "Grief is an experience that touches us all, yet our society often struggles to openly address it. Engaging in creative practices, in whatever form one chooses, can offer solace and a sense of manageability.
"We’ve spoken with so many people who have found comfort, hope, and distraction through their creative pursuits. By sharing their stories and work at the Leeds International Festival of Ideas, we hope to start a candid conversation about grief."
To find out more about the exhibition and LIFI23, you can visit their website here.
Popular pizza pop-up Edges Pizza has opened a permanent home in Leeds city centre.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residencies across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason. Edges Pizza has just opened a permanent new takeaway under the arches in Holbeck, and it's absolutely class.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Owners Grace and Edge who are from Harrogate opened Edges two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
They've completely transformed the space into a proper love letter to the big apple. It will operate mainly as a takeaway, but there is a small seating area where you can perch and tuck into your pie.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu is perfectly curated, consisting of eight pizzas and three dips. And trust us, they are absolutely massive.
We opted for the American Hot with spicy pepperoni, banana peppers and parmesan as well as the mushroom pie topped with garlic creme fraiche and chestnut mushrooms.
Drizzled and dunked into moreish hot honey, it's rivalling some of the best pizza in the city.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For now, grabbing a pizza from Edges operates through a pre-order system. Pre-orders open at 12pm the day before via their website, you can pick your collection time and then you simply have to rock up and get your pizza.
There's loads of parking available nearby and if there are any remaining slots available you can pre-order up to an hour before collection.
We've got a feeling they're going to very busy indeed.
A cafe dedicated entirely to matcha gelato has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
Matcha is well and truly taking Leeds (and the country) by storm.
You're probably bored of hearing us talk about matcha, and to be honest we're getting a little bit bored writing about it.
But, this time it's different.
This is M Plus Matcha, a brand-new matcha store that's just opened near Leeds University who not only serve your classic matcha lattes but also bucket loads of freshly-churned gelato.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And to make things even better, they've got four on offer all at different percentages to suit your taste.
Soft and grassy, smooth and creamy, full and velvety…or deep and bold (they said it, not us) - this spot is truly a matcha lover’s summer paradise.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're not sure what flavour you fancy, the lovely staff are on hand to help and can offer tasters of each percentage before you commit to a cone or a tub so you're not left disappointed.
The space is gorgeously light and airy, complete with matcha-coloured walls and plenty of matcha-coloured seating for you to perch and enjoy your treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Right opposite the Parkinson Building, we can see M Plus Matcha becoming a fantastic hub for students to whack their laptops out for a couple of hours whilst getting their caffeine fix.
The drinks menu includes iced matcha lattes, hot matcha, matcha lemonades and loads more. Basically, if you're of the opinion that matcha tastes like grass then we do not recommend you going.
But if you love it like us, then you're in for a treat.
Clementine Hall -
19th July 2023 
