South Shields Museum – Permanent history of mining

South Shields Museum and Art Gallery (SSMAG) is one of the establishments overseen by the Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums Development Trust (TWAMDT) – both a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. The purpose of the grant is to support re-configuring a section of South Shields Museum and Art Gallery (SSMAG) to install a permanent display depicting the history of mining in South Shields. The 2018 ‘King Coal’, exhibition celebrated the life and legacy of South Shields coal mining communities. Its timing marked 25 years since the Westoe Colliery Closed and 50 years since Whitburn Colliery shut down. Twenty-three original paintings by South Shields born artist and former Whitburn Colliery miner Bob Olley, featured in the exhibition. These paintings were gifted to the people of South Shields to be held in safe keeping by SSMAG. This project will support the creation of permanent installation to display these pictures.