A kitsch caravan filled with commissions from a number of local artists and designers will be touring the region as part of the culture10 programme. The TrailerMade exhibition will showcase work from 20 designers including furniture, textiles, ceramics, glass, surface pattern, lighting, fashion, metalwork and fine art within a T@b XL caravan and awning. The project has been devised by Designed and Made, a new support organisation for North-East-based designer makers, which aims to introduce talented craftspeople to an audience, who will then become more aware of the benefit of directly commissioning artists for their home and office interiors. Curator Charlie Arnold said: "The new T@b caravans are an exciting new range that are aimed specifically at a design market. "While their contemporary shape and plain silver colour is successful in attracting new audiences to caravanning, the standard interior remains rather ordinary. "Designed and Made intend to capitalise on the plain, cool, sculptural exterior of the caravan and to create a rich and vibrant, luxurious designer-made interior. "It's very glamorous camping, with bejewelled plastic clothes pegs, embroidered nylon tea towels and silk toilet paper. "Along with the awning - which will extend the exhibition space - we hope to create a dramatic installation which will attract park visitors to investigate the exhibition more closely. "It is hoped that interest in the project generated during the summer will raise enough excitement to warrant auctioning the caravan at an event after the end of the tour. Any funds raised will be recycled into future Designed and Made projects." Graphic panels and information about Designed and Made will be printed on tea towels and displayed on a whirligig clothes line outside the display space to entice visitors in and to impart a light hearted, easily accessible, summery feel to the exhibition. There will also be a one-day artist-led workshop at each venue. Charlie said: "It will be an eclectic mix. Although the artists were given a basic brief, they weren't restricted and I think that's the best way to get results. "Each piece has the distinct personality of its designer and there will be photos and contact details next to each piece so members of the public can contact them if they'd like to commission any work." TrailerMade is being funded by The Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, The Northern Rock Foundation and Arts Council England. Moorland Leisure, Stoke-on-Trent, has given substantial discount on the caravan and TLS, Stockton, has offered 30 days free vehicle hire on a car to pull the caravan. Venues:
July 8-9, Baltic Square (opening 6-9 Baltic Cafe)
July 10-11, Saltwell Park, Gateshead
July 16-18, DLI Museum, Durham
July 31-Aug 8, York Art Gallery
Aug 25-28, Shipley Gallery, Gateshead
Aug 31 and Sept 1, Times Square, Newcastle
Sept 2-3, Blue Carpet, Newcastle
Sept 23-26, Newcastle, Designers Block 2004.
Sept 29-Oct 1, Cleveland College of Art and Design The designers and their creations: Sue Woolhouse: Glass artist Sue is creating four cast-glass portholes with detailing of teaspoons, which will be backlit. Nick James: A graduate from Northumbria University's 3D design course, furniture designer Nick will be making a wire display stand for the promotional materials such as catalogues and postcards. Brian Russell: This established blacksmith from County Durham is producing an art nouveau galvanised step at the entrance of the caravan. Fiona Rutherford: Newcastle-based textile artist Fiona is making a red and white applique awning with the help of curator Charlie Arnold. Nicky Hutchinson: Having recently moved to the region from York, shoe designer Nicky is contributing to the project with some very alternative silk camping slippers more suitable for a Russian princess than a happy camper. Jane Charles: Glass maker Jane will be creating tableware for the dining area including a salad bowl and glasses. Gavin Marshall: An unusual sculptural washing-up bowl made from "bubble wrap" cast glass will be on display from Gavin. Alice Highet: Visitors will be able to see some amazing bejewelled clothes pegs from jewellery designer Alice. Sheila Martin: This glass artist from Hexham will be indulging her other passion - embroidery - with an intricate drawstring bag. Eyv Saunders: Well-known for her hand hooking techniques using colourful polythene, Eyv will be making a bathmat and bathroom tiles with peg motifs in her own inimitable style. Julie Roxburgh: Newcastle-based ceramic artist Julie will create a ceramic tea-set. Mandy Pattullo: A course leader at Newcastle College and textile artist, Mandy is providing six transfer-printed and embroidered cushions. Stephen Newby: Furniture designer Stephen Newby is making a `blown' aluminium seat with sink plug details for the awning. Bridget Jones: This established glass artist is creating an etched mirror for the bathroom. Kathryn Hodgkinson: Another glass artist, Kathryn's chandelier made from glass components will be a stunning centrepiece. Laura Gladhill: Newly- graduated fashion designer Laura is working on a special pink camping kimono. Jasmine Hixson: This established fashion designer from Brancepeth Castle, County Durham, is creating a pleated velvet sleeping bag. Catherine Bertola: A fine artist and interior artist, Catherine is using architectural drawings to create wallpaper on the ceiling. David Arnold: Curator Charlie's husband, a furniture designer, is fashioning a kitsch table. It will feature a repeat pattern of an exotic table he made for the Bowes Museum. Ali Rhind: Textile artist Ali will `hand hook' upholstery for the sofabed. | 
