URBAN WILDERNESS CIC

places bring us together

mission

We are working with local community to regenerate Longton town centre through cultural activity, public artworks and community events

longton carnival & pig walk parade

COMMUNITY HUB

The Moony Club was established in an empty shop on Longton High Street in March 2023. We provide a warm and welcoming space where people support their wellbeing and mental health through creativity, organise events that bring communities together and join social clubs that build strong relationships

regular groups

Check out our What’s On page for our program of events and workshops

Public Artworks

We believe that Artists have a valuable role to play in re-imagining urban spaces. Since 2020 we have regularly commissioned new artworks in public spaces addressing issues such as diversity in green spaces, women’s safety, the climate crisis, symbiotic futures and youth voice

Arkadia: The Skip of Fools by Rushton: Mallinson

The Skip of Fools art installation in empty shop at Longton Exchange, Stoke-on-Trent.

Alignment by Natalia Kasprzycka

Sculpture installed on brownfield land at Burslem Port, Stoke-on-Trent

GRIT by Sophia Hatfield

Actor, Writer and Theatre-Maker Sophia Hatfield performs GRIT at Etruria Canals, Stoke-on-Trent

Tracoband by Lola Adodo

Black dance artist and choreographer Lola Adodo performs Tracoband in a community garden

Reconnect & Grow by Tracey Meek

Exhibition in Longton Exchange of symbiotic scupltures created by multidisciplinary artist Tracey Meek

Alignment by Natalia Kasprzycka

Viewing of sculpture installation by artist Natalia Kasprzycka

Arkadia by Rushton:Mallinson

Large-scale window installation of photographic imagery created by photographer Stephanie Rushton

Arkadia by Rushton:Mallinson

Large-scale window installation of photographic image by photographer Stephanie Rushton

GRIT by Sophia Hatfield

Actor, Writer and Theatre-Maker Sophia Hatfield performs GRIT at Etruria Canals, Stoke-on-Trent

Reconnect & Grow by Tracey Meek

Close up of oyster mushrooms growing on sculpture created by artist Tracey Meek

Arkadia: The Golden Fleeced by Rushton:Mallinson

The Golden Fleeced sculpture by sculptor Mally Mallinson installed at Longton Exchange Shopping Centre

Alignment by Natalia Kasprzycka

Artist Natalia Kasprzycka applying final touches to large clay-based scupture installed at Burslem Port, Stoke-on-Trent

GRIT by Sophia Hatfield

Actor, Writer and Theatre-Maker Sophia Hatfield performs GRIT at Etruria Canals, Stoke-on-Trent

Alignment by Natalia Kasprzycka

Sculpture trail installation at Burslem Port, Stoke-on-Trent

Tracoband by Lola Adodo

Audience of community members gather in community garden to watch dance performance ‘Tracoband’

Arkadia by Rushton:Mallinson

Sculptor Mally Mallinson during installation of sculptures in empty shop at Longton Exchange Shopping Centre

Reconnect & Grow by Tracey Meek

Window display of exhibition of symbiotic sculptures created by artist Tracey Meek

Arkadia: The Skip of Fools by Rushton:Mallinson

Close-up detail of planting in The Skip of Fools sculpture created by sculptor Mally Mallinson and photographer Stephanie Rushton

Tracoband by Lola Adodo

Portrait of black dance artist and choreographer Lola Adodo alongside dance performers

GRIT by Sophia Hatfield

Actor, Writer and Theatre-Maker Sophia Hatfield performs GRIT at Etruria Canals, Stoke-on-Trent

Reconnect & Grow by Tracey Meek

Artist Tracey Meek prepares fungus growing exhibits at exhibition of Reconnect & Grow

Diverse Landscapes at The Potteries Shopping Centre, Stoke-on-Trent

Shop windows displaying large photographic prints for Diverse Landscapes exhibition by Adina Lawrence

By A Thread Tapestry

Artist Becki Kremer sewing By A Thread tapestry whilst hung outdoors

Taking Up Space by Kwanzaa Collective

Three Black dance artists perform Taking Up Space outdoors in Hanley Park, Stoke-on-Trent

A Rock Above Water by David Bethell

Fibreglass rock suspended above water at Keele Woods, Keele University - sculpture by David Bethell

Our Youth Grows performers with Potboiler Theatre

Portrait of Actors and Production Artists from Our Youth Grows recorded podcast dramas by Potboiler Theatre

A Rock Above Water: The Build

Artist David Bethell works on the fibreglass rock sculpture for A Rock Above Water with sculptor Mally Mallinson

By A Thread by Becki Kremer

Outdoor installation of tapestry artwork by Becki Kremer in public space - Central Forest Park, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

Taking Up Space by Kwanzaa Collective

Poet Gabriella Gay performs in public space, part of Taking Up Space - Hanley Park, Stoke-on-Trent

Ian Ikuesan, actor for Our Youth Grows by Potboiler Theatre

Ian Ikuesan, Black male actor, performs for recording of Our Youth Grows by Potboiler Theatre

By A Thread by Becki Kremer

Outdoor installation of tapestry artwork by Becki Kremer in public space - Central Forest Park, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

Taking Up Space by Kwanzaa Collective

Filmmaker Cynthia Coady films dancer Shanice Harris during Taking Up Space performance outdoors in Hanley Park, Stoke-on-Trent

Portrait for Diverse Landscapes by Adina Lawrence

Portrait of young boy surrounded by sunflowers, part of the Diverse Landscapes photography exhibition by Adina Lawrence

Katie Cannon, actor for Our Youth Grows

Katie Cannon, White female actor, performs for recording of Our Youth Grows by Potboiler Theatre

Sam Deaville, actor for Our Youth Grows by Potboiler Theatre

Sam Deaville, White male actor, performs for recording of Our Youth Grows by Potboiler Theatre

Portrait for Diverse Landscapes by Adina Lawrence

Portrait of Asian woman outdoors in green public space, part of the Diverse Landscapes photography exhibition by Adina Lawrence

Taking Up Space walk by Kwanzaa Collective

Socially distanced walk by Black and Brown women across grass in public space next to Staffordshire University

A Rock Above Water: The Installation

Installation team carry the fibreglass rock sculpture created by artist David Bethell

Adina Lawrence Artist At Work

Artist Adina Lawrence photographs a woman whilst they both lie outdoors, on grass

Portrait for Diverse Landscapes by Adina Lawrence

Portrait of woman lying in heather at The Roaches, photographed by Adina Lawrence for Diverse Landscapes

By A Thread exhibition by Becki Kremer

Portrait of artist Becki Kremer standing next to her tapestry for By a Thread, exhibited outdoors in Central Forest Park, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

Taking Up Space performance by Kwanzaa Collective

Black dance artist performs for Taking Up Space outdoors in public space surrounded by green foliage in Hanley Park, Stoke-on-Trent

A Rock Above Water by David Bethell

Fibreglass rock sculpture by David Bethell suspended above lake at Keele Woods, Keele University

Diverse Landscapes exhibition at The Potteries Shopping Centre

Portrait of artist Adina Lawrence standing outside front doors of Diverse Landscapes photography exhibition

inclusive infrastructure

We are working in partnership with black-led organisations in Stoke on Trent to provide fundraising and production support for events, organisational development and sustainable career paths. We offer one-on-one mentor support to individuals applying to the Arts Council for the first time to increase the diversity of creatives working in the city and across the region