Artist Documentary Film | A North East Arts Documentary on Middlesbrough Station
This artist documentary film explores how Middlesbrough Railway Station has been transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity through a series of public art installations.
Commissioned by Navigator North as part of the Most Creative Station programme, the film captures how artists have reimagined this civic space—blending heritage, community voices, and contemporary practice. For those interested in creative placemaking, public art, and culture-led regeneration, this documentary offers a unique window into how art can reshape the everyday.
“Most Creative Station” is more than just a title. It’s part of a wider cultural initiative funded by the Cultural Development Fund (DCMS/Arts Council England) and delivered in partnership with Middlesbrough Council and TransPennine Express. From Summer 2023 to Spring 2025, the programme commissioned artists to create site-specific installations that animate the station’s architecture, history, and daily use.
Art as Public Infrastructure
The film reveals how art can operate as infrastructure—not just in the decorative sense, but as a means of connection, memory, and renewal. As one artist notes in the film:
“This isn’t the railway’s station. This is Middlesbrough’s railway station.”
That ethos is present in every installation. From bold textile designs and immersive soundscapes to playful reconstructions and community-sourced materials, each work brings a unique dimension to the station’s identity. The documentary follows both the process and the people behind the transformation, offering insight into their methods, inspirations, and hopes for how audiences will engage.
Featured Artworks in the Film
Tees Colour Register by Rachael Clewlow
A 53-metre artwork of colour bands derived from photographs across the Tees Valley rail line.
Journey by Beth Johnson
A collaborative piece using used train tickets donated by station users.
Middlesbrough Moquette by Emma Bennett
Textile designs based on the station’s own architectural motifs.
Kiosk by Adam Shaw
A participatory printmaking space inspired by a 1950s newspaper kiosk.
Connection by Helen Pailing
A Meccano-based sculpture referencing Middlesbrough’s engineering legacy.
Peace Amongst Thorns by Gareth Hudson & Toby Thirling
A sound installation creating a contemplative zone within a hidden station space.
And Ever Again… by Catherine Bertola and Transported by Nell Catchpole
Meditative works combining sound, memory, and motion.
Why I Made This Film
As a filmmaker, I specialise in documenting art, heritage, and socially engaged projects. What drew me to Most Creative Station was the scope and ambition: turning a transport hub into a space of meaning and imagination. Middlesbrough Railway Station isn’t just a backdrop here—it’s the main character.
The project also aligns closely with my broader work, which often focuses on place-based storytelling and the relationship between people and built environments. Whether filming artists at work, capturing archival histories, or exploring the poetry of public space, I aim to create films that invite reflection, attention, and joy.
Watch the Film
Whether you’re a commuter, a fan of public art, or simply curious about how creativity can reframe the everyday, this short film offers a powerful reflection on how art can shape place and perception.
About the Filmmaker
I’m a documentary filmmaker based in Newcastle upon Tyne, working across the North East and beyond. I collaborate with artists, researchers, councils, museums, and arts organisations to tell nuanced, place-driven stories through film. With over 20 years’ experience, I bring a lightweight, unobtrusive approach to filmmaking that prioritises authenticity, sensitivity, and visual storytelling.
“Documenting the ideas, practices, and people driving art, heritage, research, and creative change.”
About Navigator North
Navigator North is a Tees Valley-based arts organisation that supports artists, places, and communities through socially engaged and place-based creative practice. Since 2010, they have worked to make the arts more visible and accessible across the North East by commissioning public artworks, activating underused spaces, and facilitating opportunities for artists to connect with local heritage and identity. From pop-up studios to large-scale cultural programmes like Most Creative Station, Navigator North empowers artists to respond to place and community through collaboration, research, and creativity.
Learn more about their work at: https://navigatornorth.co.uk
Explore more of my work:
📷 Instagram: @alanfentiman
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