By Sarah Dale
20 March 2025
Imagine a work of art that you could eat!
That is the idea behind a new, exciting exhibition to be held in the heart of Middlesbrough in April.
Savour the Arts, created by the Creative Youth Leadership Team of the charity, Taste of Africa North East, will be a celebration of traditional cuisine and the vibrant art of Africa.
Supported by food artist Maria and textiles artist Roslyn, who are members of the Black Creatives and Arts Network, the young people, aged between 11 and 18, have been researching their African heritage and exploring their creativity to create edible pieces of art.
Their culinary masterpieces will be on display on Saturday, 19th April, from 10am to 3pm, at Taste of Africa North East’s new base in Hillstreet Shopping Centre at the Middlesbrough Bus Station entrance.
The charity moved from its former base in Studio 109 towards the end of last year. The Creative Youth Leadership Team, which meets at the Hillstreet headquarters on weekends, transformed the former empty unit into a vibrant, welcoming space by painting the walls in the colourful red, yellow, green and black colours of the Taste of Africa logo.
The group is an important aspect of the charity and its ethos centres around mentoring the younger generation to build up skills, learn how to collaborate and create art, and become strong, confident young adults.
Taste of Africa executive member Vaina Lumbiwa, who runs the Creative Youth Leadership Team, says: “The young people have loved the workshops and creating their own works of art with traditional foods such as jollof rice, which they have been practising moulding into different shapes such as a lion or Africa.
“They are so excited about the exhibition. Some of the group will be creating the art while some will be content creators, interviewing visitors and taking photographs so they can capture the day for social media.
“Our new base is beautiful; it’s so colourful and tells the story of the past 22 years of Taste of Africa. Hillstreet has been extremely supportive and helpful since we moved in here.”
Having a safe and inspirational space for young people to learn, create and make friends is vital to build confidence and self-esteem, says Vaina. They take part in workshops, from dancing to careers support.
“It really is so important,” she says.
“Young people need to get out of the house and mix with other young people while being guided by mentors who will encourage their creativity and individuality. They make friends and learn how to collaborate with and support each other.
“Everyone is good at something and it is a space where they can explore different things and find out what they can do. Some may be good at art; some may be good at dancing. Together they support each other which was lovely to see at the Taste of Africa Showcase when they got behind each other as their friends took part in the fashion show.
“Their biggest event is the Black History Youth Awards. We provide the platform and support and encourage them to take charge, with us, as senior leaders, giving them a guiding hand. They are also very active in running the Taste of Africa Carnival and get so excited about their performances and costumes.
“So, it was important to us all for the younger generation to be part of transforming our new base – and they have fully embraced the challenge! It looks beautiful and everyone will be able to see all their hard work at the exhibition.
“It is really rewarding to see their growth from being a bit shy at first to growing in confidence. They painted all the walls in our new headquarters; it gives them ownership of the space so it something they can be proud of.”
Ennie Nshti, 18, from Middlesbrough, joined the group when she was 15 and became the group’s leader two years ago and adds: “I love being a member of CYLT. We do painting, dancing, workshops, all sorts.”
Toluwani Akin-Jaiyeoba, 17, a dental nursing apprentice in Guisborough and keen photographer, adds that the group enjoyed working together to transform the empty shop unit into their new base.
The new home of Taste of Africa North East is currently displaying an exhibition throughout March to celebrate Women’s History Month and to launch the online campaign, #CrownHer2025, to encourage entries for the Miss Black History final, to be held in September. It features framed quotes from the current and previous Queens on the walls and a special display of the crown and coats worn by the winners.
The Savour the Arts exhibition is funded by Borderlands, Community Fund, Postcode Places Trust and People’s Postcode Lottery.
Taste of Africa North East was founded 22 years ago by Sade Sangowawa to champion and empower Black people in the Tees Valley and across the North-east. The charity also runs Black Creatives and Arts Network (BCAN) and Miss Black History North East and hosts several events in the lead-up to and during Black History Month in October. These include the Black History Youth Awards, the Taste of Africa Carnival and the Taste of Africa Showcase.
For more information about the charity and BCAN, visit www.tasteofafricanortheast.co.uk and www.blackcreativesandartsnetwork.com
To find out more about joining the Creative Youth Leadership Team, email: info@tasteofafricanortheast.co.uk
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