The day is a culmination of real community effort to showcase Sunniside.

The spotlight will shine on Sunniside’s wave of independents this weekend.

A host of Sunniside venues are taking part | Sunderland Echo

placeholder image — A host of Sunniside venues are taking part | Sunderland Echo

The culmination of a real community effort to showcase Sunderland’s burgeoning creative quarter, Sunniside Open Studios will see scores of businesses and studios stage events and workshops to highlight what’s on offer.

It takes place on Saturday, November 7, from 3pm to 9pm, with various timings at various locations.

The event has been spearheaded by Sunniside locals including The Art Room, The Art Cafe, Theatre Space, We Make Culture and Sunshine Co-op, who wanted to let the area shine for a community event, welcoming regulars as well as people who might not have explored the area before.

A spokesperson for the organisers said: “I think people felt really inspired by the success of Sunniside Nights which demonstrated how the neighbourhood can feel safe and fun and exciting after usual hours.

“It's a first iteration and we'd love as many people to come as possible. There's lots of free stuff as well as some paid for activity; stuff for families to do as well as grown ups - a proper treasure hunt around Sunniside.”

There will be maps available on the night to make it easier for people to navigate.

It will also be the first opportunity for the public to visit the new Friends Meeting Place in the old tyre shop at 1 Villiers Street, as well as learning more about the plans for Glassworks Sunderland.

Sunniside Open Studios programme

Sunshine co-operative is staging a number of events | Sunderland Echo

*Friends Meeting Place, (old tyre shop) Villiers Street - Marketplace with local makers and Sunderland Lit & Phil, 3pm-8pm, free, drop in.

*Chapter 13, Frederick Street - Small business pop up and bookish stalls, 3pm-9pm, free, drop in

*Abyssal Studios, Back Norfolk Street - Pick and Paint, 3pm-9pm, free, drop in

*Sunderland Culture, 17 Nile Street - All About Glassworks: Sunderland – info session, 3pm-7pm, free, drop in

*The Art Room, Mackies Corner - Arty Market and Wintery Watercolours - 5pm-9pm, free, drop in

*KC Alternative Therapy, Mackies Corner - Hidden Calm – free hand massages and lovely spa products for sale - 6pm-9pm, free, drop in

*Theatre Space North East, Borough Road - Stage, Stamps and Bar (lino printing; youth theatre performance), Atlas Theatre Co. –sharing new work and King Ink – Speed Poetry. 3-9pm, free (small cost for printing workshop); drop in but you can book the workshop in advance via theatrespace website

*Thrown together pottery studio, 27 Fawcett Street - Make your own Christmas decoration workshop 6pm-9pm, drop in - £15

*Ruby Doomsday, 27 Fawcett Street - Upcycled denim tote bag workshop. 6pm-9pm, £15 per person, book via Ruby’s social media

*Abject Gallery, Fawcett Street - Best Practice Open Gallery, 6pm-9pm, free, drop in

*24 North East, Fawcett Street - 3pm-9pm, free, drop in

*Port Independent, St Thomas Street - Harbour Studios: Make, Join, Shape (3pm-6pm) We Make Culture: Stripped Back Social (7pm-9pm). Free, but book a ticket for Stripped Back Social via we make culture

*Sunshine Co-op, High Street West - Festive Focaccia Workshop (with mulled wine) – (£6-£9 per person) 3pm/4.30pm. Book via Sunshine Co-op website

*Sunshine Co-op, High Street West - Just Let Your Soul Grow – Christmas Craft and Seed Library, 3pm-5.30pm, free, drop in

*Sunshine Co-op, High Street West - The Holistic Hub NE – Bowen Magic, 6pm-7pm, free, drop in

*Sunshine Co-op, High Street West - Natural Selection Therapies – Massage, 7pm, free, drop in

Diego’s Joint, Norfolk Street - Free, drop in: 3pm Orla, 3.30pm Steve Kyle Uke School, 4.30pm Shipyard Rejects, 5.15pm Aimee Curtis, 5.45pm Coastal Roads, 6.15pm Ava and the Fates