What happens when you give a group of creative young people neon paint, bold stencils and permission to go loud?
You get LOPLOW: STEEL & SURREAL — Consett’s Heritage in Pop Art — a brand-new 4-week after-school art club celebrating Consett’s past in the brightest, boldest way possible.
Delivered by local creative organisation ImaginAble Me CIC, this exciting new LOPLOW series will run on March 5th, 12th, 19th and April 2nd (no session on March 26th), bringing colour, confidence and community pride to young people aged 9–17.
Thanks to support from Project Genesis, the programme is part-subsidised, meaning families can access the full 4-week block for just £10 in total.
Spaces are limited and can be booked via the ImaginAble Me website.
What is LOPLOW?
LOPLOW stands for Loud on Paper, Loud on Walls — ImaginAble Me’s signature creative programme designed to help young people build confidence and belonging through graffiti-inspired techniques, bold colour and fearless self-expression.
Over the past year, LOPLOW has become a much-loved creative outlet in Consett, particularly for young people who may not always feel comfortable in traditional environments. The sessions predominantly support young people aged 9–17, including LGBTQ+ young people, neurodivergent and SEND young people, home-educated learners, and those navigating anxiety or mental health challenges.
In a LOPLOW session, creativity is encouraged to be big, expressive and unapologetic. There are no “wrong” colours. Drips are welcome. Layering is celebrated. Individual style is king.
And now, that energy is being turned toward Consett’s heritage.
Turning Steel into Technicolour
Consett has a powerful story to tell.
From the proud steelworks era and the famous red glow that once lit the sky, to the railway lines and viaducts that shaped the town’s movement and growth, to the striking presence of the iconic Terris Novalis sculpture — Consett’s identity is layered, resilient and unique.
STEEL & SURREAL invites young people to explore those layers in a fresh, modern way.
Across four 1.5-hour sessions, participants will:
Create pop-art Consett icons, transforming local landmarks into bold colour-block masterpieces.
Experiment with dripping, layered “red sky” pieces, inspired by the steelworks glow.
Design surreal interpretations of Terris Novalis, reimagining the sculpture through neon outlines and graffiti-style detail.
Produce graphic, poster-style artworks inspired by the railway line, town signage and Consett’s industrial movement.
The project will culminate in a small celebratory showcase of artwork, allowing young people to see their work displayed with pride.
Pride, Belonging and Big Brushes
For many of the young people who attend ImaginAble Me sessions, creative space means more than art.
It means confidence.
It means connection.
It means belonging.
By exploring Consett’s heritage in a hands-on, expressive way, STEEL & SURREAL helps young people feel rooted in their community. It shows them that their town’s story is something they can reinterpret, celebrate and add to.
When a young person paints the steelworks skyline in electric pink or imagines Terris Novalis floating in a surreal neon sky, they’re not just creating artwork — they’re building pride in where they live.
Accessible and Inclusive
Although ImaginAble Me’s usual LOPLOW blocks are priced as affordably as possible, cost can still be a barrier for families — particularly those with more than one child.
Thanks to Project Genesis, this block is heavily subsidised and available for just £10 for the entire 4-week programme.
By keeping costs low, the organisation ensures that creative opportunity remains open to those who may benefit most.
Sessions are delivered in a safe, inclusive and neurodiversity-friendly environment, with a strong focus on wellbeing, encouragement and positive expression.
A Colourful Future
Consett has always been a town of transformation. From steel to sculpture, industry to art, it continues to evolve.
With STEEL & SURREAL, the next generation is being invited to play a part in that evolution — to explore the past, reinterpret it boldly, and feel proud of the place they call home.
Spaces for the March/April block are limited and early booking is encouraged.
Because sometimes, local pride starts with a splash of neon paint and the confidence to make your mark.
