A NEW exhibition will shine the spotlight on the buildings, people and activities of Exchange Square in Middlesbrough when it opens in September.

Exchange - Past, Present and Future, organised by Navigator North, will feature archival material, images and artefacts that reveal the past, present and future of the unique area of the town.

The exhibition will be open from September 11 to November 27 at The Masham in Middlesbrough.

Exhibits will include: A focus on the former Royal Exchange building, which once stood in the heart of the town’s Victorian commercial and financial district. Commerce House, a banking institution dating back to 1872.

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The soon-to-be 140-year-old statute of Henry Bolckow, an industrialist who led the development of Middlesbrough as an ironmaking town and was its first mayor. An introduction to the newly appointed Exchange Artist in Residence, Layla Khoo. North Yorkshire-based Layla is a visual artist who works across a range of mediums with a specialism in ceramics. Her year-long residency will focus on researching, relating and exchanging the histories of the town that matter to the communities living and working within Middlesbrough’s Historic Quarter.

An outline of the new research to be carried out by Tees Valley Arts exploring the hidden heritage narratives of Exchange Square.

The exhibition is part of Middlesbrough High Street Heritage Action Zone’s two-year cultural programme from Middlesbrough Cultural Partnership, Celebrating Hidden Middlesbrough, which will explore the culture and history of the high street. It will feature artist residencies, commissions and opportunities for communities to engage with creative and cultural activity on Middlesbrough’s high street.

Vicky Holbrough, Director of Navigator North, said: “Through this exhibition, we are aiming to raise awareness of the cultural heritage of the town, in particular Exchange Square, and how we recognise and learn from this in the present. We hope to bring to light some exciting new findings that people may not be aware of and are really looking forward to local people getting involved in the artist residency and further research over the next 12 months.”

Cllr Mieka Smiles, Middlesbrough Council’s Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for Culture and Communities, said: “Exchange Square was once at the heart of Middlesbrough and I know that residents will love looking at how the area has changed over the years - and imagining how it might transform once again in years to come. The Masham is a place where historically people have gathered to talk about their town and it’s amazing to see that in action once again.”

Celebrating Hidden Middlesbrough will support Middlesbrough Cultural Partnership’s mission to use art and culture as a driver for regeneration and attract new visitors to a more vibrant town centre. It will also complement the property and public space improvements that are currently being delivered in the Historic Quarter as part of the High Streets Heritage scheme.

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