Press Release Friday 21 February 2020.
Gosforth Civic Theatre will honour the memory of their late Chair, John Jennings, by renaming their garden lounge space the John Jennings Studio on Friday 21 February 2020.
John passed away on Friday 30th August 2019, but in the seven years involved with Liberdade Community Development Trust, the charity that runs Gosforth Civic Theatre, his contribution was transformational. His positivity, drive and passion for the charity, and its mission, enabled them to realise Gosforth Civic Theatre.
Through his daughter Ellen, who is one of Liberdade’s company members, he became chairman of Liberdade, helping them win funding to take over Gosforth Civic Theatre to provide a unique venue for its members to belong, work, and get involved in the arts and their community.
Alongside a plaque next to the entrance to the John Jennings Studio in the Gosforth inclusive arts venue, there will also be a semi-permanent exhibition of John’s photography work displayed throughout Gosforth Civic Theatre which will be launched at 4pm on Friday 21 February.
The exhibition, curated by John’s nephews David and William Roberts, will celebrate John’s life through his love and passion for photography. His early years growing up in Sheffield and the Peak District fomented a desire to seek out people and places with stories to tell, particularly those who were having difficulty being heard. As a passionate campaigner for social justice, he loved to document the unseen side of things. This exhibition of John’s photographs – a small amount of his vast array of images – reflect some of the themes that were most important to him throughout his life.
“We are honoured to celebrate the contribution that John made to Liberdade by commemorating his favourite space within Gosforth Civic Theatre in his name, The John Jennings studio and a gallery of his photographic work will go on as a small part of his legacy at Liberdade and beyond.”
Rob Huggins, CEO, Liberdade Community Development Trust, Gosforth Civic Theatre.
You can donate to the John Jennings Fund here to help support Liberdade and Gosforth Civic Theatre.