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.
A beloved Sheffield bookshop is back but this time, there's booze.
You may remember back in January when Novel sadly had to close its doors due to circumstances beyond the team’s control.
Since opening in Crookes in 2024, co-owner Katie and the team had experienced ongoing intimidation and harassment, eventually leading to the decision to close the much-loved bookshop and bar indefinitely.
It was a heartbreaking turn of events for a business that had quickly become a much-loved part of the Crookes community.
Images: The Sheff
At the time, it felt like it might be the end of Novel but thankfully, it wasn't. Because Novel is back - but not quite as you might remember it.
Introducing Proof, your new bookshop/cafe/wine/beer bar.
It's basically everything we love in this world rolled into one, and we're big fans of it along with the rest of Crookes.
Of course the book selection is just as brilliant as it was at Novel, with shelves stacked with some of the hottest books around, all hand-picked by Kate, so you know you’re in safe hands when it comes to the reading recommendations.
Images: The Sheff
Great coffee is on hand courtesy of Cloud so you can settle in for a brew and a browse, but if that won't quite cut it they've also got a selection of natural wines and beer on offer. Genuinely, what more could you want?
Just grab a brew, pick up a book and settle in for a while. Is this one of the coolest new openings to hit Crookes? We reckon so.
They're open Fridays and Saturdays 12 - 10:30pm, so make sure you swing by and welcome Proof back to Crookes.
The 42-year-old Kirkgate Market stall serving freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 a pop
Clementine Hall
Tucked away in Leeds Kirkgate Market you'll find a wonderful seafood stall selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 each.
It's places like these that remind us why we love Leeds so much.
Established in 1880, Hayes Seafood is widely regarded as the oldest trader within the historic Kirkgate Market.
For the past 42 years, it has been run by Cliff and Michelle, the loveliest couple who welcome every customer with open arms.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu here is small but perfectly formed, focusing on fresh, ready-to-eat seafood that you can enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise at most.
Delivered fresh every morning, there's pre-cracked crab shells, brown and white crab meat, cockles, crawfish tails - all perfectly prepared for you to eat at their bar or high tables opposite.
But, it's the oysters that you'll see people queueing for. And rightly so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. You can choose from two types of oysters: super salty Lindisfarne oysters or the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
We recommend having a couple of each, pulling up a stool right by the counter and getting stuck in. If you ask Cliff nicely, he might tell you a bit about the history of the place - but you may have to order a couple more oysters for that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You're left to dress them yourself, whether you prefer dash of fiery tabasco or a few pickled shallots. But to be honest, they're delicious just as they come.
This spot is a real piece of Leeds history, and the queues at lunchtime as well as the repeat regular customers proves just how special it is.
All it's missing is a champagne stall next to it...now wouldn't that be perfect?
Clementine Hall -
19th July 2023 
