Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<p>Helen Jackson is a visual artist with a background in applied and participatory art. She’s not defined by creative practices, in fact her work includes sculpture, drawing, illustration and digital imagery. In short, she’s bloomin’ talented. Away from her own work, she also runs creative sessions at cultural hubs like the <a href="https://levelcentre.com/">LEVEL Centre</a> and <a href="https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/">Derby QUAD</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-PORTRAIT-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2087" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-PORTRAIT-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-PORTRAIT-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-PORTRAIT-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-PORTRAIT-350x525.jpg 350w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-PORTRAIT.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure>



<p>As she embarks on her next big project (keep your eyes on <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/pink_e_puss">her socials</a> for more info), Helen took some time out to tell us all about her favourite places in Derbyshire. Take it away Helen!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-museum-of-making-derby"><a href="https://www.derbymuseums.org/museum-of-making/"><strong>Museum of Making</strong></a><strong>, Derby</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2079" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/1.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/1-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/1-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/1-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/1-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Photo credit: Derby Museum of Making</figcaption></figure>



<p>I’ve always loved the building, and I often take my friends who are visiting. Something about the big open, indoor space in the middle of a noisy city is so calming. It’s also really inspiring too. The exhibitions are a fascinating look at the city’s history – from old telephone switchboards (which remind me of my Grandpa who used to work at the telephone exchange) to an odd collection of ceramic dolls arms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sound-bites-derby"><a href="https://www.soundbitesderby.org.uk/"><strong>Sound Bites</strong></a><strong>, Derby</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2080" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/2.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/2-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/2-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/2-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/2-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Photo credit: Cococheesecakes</figcaption></figure>



<p>I’m vegan so finding a place in the city that sells ethical and organic vegan food is brilliant. The people who run it are genuinely lovely and if you’re partial to sweet treats they stock <a href="https://www.cococheesecakes.com/">Cococheesecakes</a> (the millionaire’s shortbread is amazing).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vegan-revelation-belper"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/veganrevelation/"><strong>Vegan Revelation</strong></a><strong>, Belper</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/3-7.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2081" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/3-7.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/3-7-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/3-7-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/3-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/3-7-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>I recently came across Vegan Revelation at Belper Pride festival and fell in love with it. A really friendly, lovely little restaurant – and their vegan nachos were super. I sat outside in the courtyard while a DJ was playing and the vibe was fab. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pride-in-belper-festival"><a href="https://www.prideinbelper.co.uk/"><strong>Pride in Belper Festival</strong></a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/4-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2082" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/4-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/4-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/4-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/4-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/4-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Photo credit: Jim Bell for Pride in Belper</figcaption></figure>



<p>Not strictly a &#8216;place&#8217; but it&#8217;s well worth a mention, I went to my first Belper Pride in 2019. It&#8217;s breath-taking to see so many people marching and celebrating all forms of authenticity. It takes over the whole town with music, food and art so it&#8217;s a real community event. And the fact that all of this is happening in a little Derbyshire town not a big city, it&#8217;s absolutely wonderful. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-darley-park-derby"><a href="https://www.inderby.org.uk/parks/derbys-parks-and-open-spaces/darley-park/"><strong>Darley Park</strong></a><strong>, Derby</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/5-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2083" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/5-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/5-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/5-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/5-1-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/5-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Photo credit: Derby Parks </figcaption></figure>



<p>Darley Park is a great slice of nature to escape to when you&#8217;re in the city. It&#8217;s one of those spaces where the sky feels so big and you&#8217;re surrounded by nature. The River Derwent runs through the park and I once spotted some teenagers admiring the crayfish on the banks so now I keep an eye out every time I walk through. There&#8217;s also a lovely butterfly garden which is full of flowers in the summer. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shipley-park-heanor"><a href="https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/countryside/countryside-sites/country-parks-and-visitor-centres/shipley/shipley-country-park.aspx"><strong>Shipley Park</strong></a><strong>, Heanor</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/6-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2084" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/6-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/6-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/6-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/6-1-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/6-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Photo credit: Shipley Park </figcaption></figure>



<p>I discovered Shipley Park during lockdown so it&#8217;s got a lot of memories. The park is massive so you can always find a quiet spot for a picnic or walk for miles if you fancy. Wandering near the ruins, it&#8217;s really peaceful, and there are loads of spots like the ponds and lakes, and Cinderhill to explore. And when you&#8217;re hungry, the cafe in the visitors centre has recently revamped its menu with some great vegan options. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yorkshire-sculpture-park-wakefield"><a href="https://ysp.org.uk/"><strong>Yorkshire Sculpture Park</strong></a><strong>, Wakefield</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/7-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2085" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/7-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/7-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/7-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/7-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/7-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Photo credit: Robert Indiana, LOVE (Red Blue Green), 1966–1998, installation view at YSP, 2022. Artwork © 2022 Morgan Art Foundation Ltd./ Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/DACS, London. Photo credit:&nbsp;Jonty Wilde</figcaption></figure>



<p>Okay, so not in Derbyshire but the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is only a short drive from the border. The combination of art and nature always blows me away, and it&#8217;s so inspirational to see this interplay. The current exhibition in the Little Chapel (<a href="https://ysp.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/jaume-plensa-in-small-places-close-to-home">Jaume Plensa: In small places, close to home</a>) is stunning, and it really spoke to me. I&#8217;d recommend that anyone go at least once. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-LANDSCAPE.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2088" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-LANDSCAPE.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-LANDSCAPE-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-LANDSCAPE-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-LANDSCAPE-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-LANDSCAPE-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><em>Helen is currently working with The LEVEL Centre, <a href="https://levelcentre.com/meet-the-team/">find out more about her work here</a>. </em></p>


My Favourite Places: Derbyshire artist Helen Jackson

You may also like