By Jerome Whittingham
Speaking to editor and photographer Jerome Whittingham for SOT CULTURE’s Emerge & See series, young fine artist Paige Sutton offers a compelling view of the challenges and opportunities facing emerging artists in Stoke-on-Trent. Paige, currently studying Fine Art at the University of Staffordshire, brings a refreshing and critical perspective, particularly on the role young artists can play in revitalising the city’s artistic landscape.
Paige emphasised that young people are often underestimated due to their age, despite the fact that they face many of the same responsibilities as older adults.
She said: “I think sometimes Stoke-on-Trent sees young artists and young people and thinks you’ve got absolutely no experience of the world or life or anything, forgetting that even though university is education we leave in loads of debt. We still have to work. We live on our own. We have to pay our car insurance. I think people just forget that we do have experience. Sometimes ‘current’ experience is what’s needed, because if we’re going to talk about changes in Stoke-on-Trent it needs to be current not past.”
Paige believes that young voices are vital to addressing the needs of the city, especially in a place like Stoke-on-Trent, which, she feels, too regularly looks to the past for solutions. Paige advocates for current, forward-thinking initiatives that embrace younger generations, such as repurposing old industrial spaces into modern art studios and exhibition spaces.
Paige made insightful observations about opportunities for young artists to showcase their work, noting that existing exhibition venues often cater to older audiences. She pointed out that places like the Brampton Museum and Art Gallery in Newcastle-under-Lyme, while offering good opportunities, are not always accessible to young artists due to practical issues such as exhibition submission and transportation costs. “They’re tailoring to older people. We younger artists are valuable, and our work needs to make money,” she asserted. Her observations reveal a frustration with a system that doesn’t adequately support emerging artists, particularly those without financial stability. “There’s just nowhere for emerging artists to go really, is there?” she said. She feels that there is a lack of middle-ground spaces for artists like herself, who are navigating between the established and emerging art worlds.
In addition to physical exhibition spaces, Paige also acknowledged the potential of digital platforms to promote young and emerging artists. Although she prefers the impact of seeing art in person, she recognises that online exhibits, which gained popularity during the pandemic, offer an affordable alternative.
“Digital exhibits are great. You can just make them happen at any time,” she said.
“I think social media is really handy too. I’ve made quite a nice social media following. But I think it’s hard sometimes, when you’re making it you get to maybe a thousand or so followers and you realise what your following audience is. Mine is mainly artists, which is great, I love that. But when I’m trying to divert into start selling my work, artists don’t buy it. I think you do need to see artworks physically. I think it’s a completely different impact.”
Paige is keen on building a sense of community among young artists, believing that gathering together to discuss the issues can help address the challenges they face.
Paige also noted that many young people struggle to support themselves as full-time artists until later in life, often needing to work in unrelated jobs before they can pursue their artistic careers fully. “Younger people, it’s go work at Tesco for a little bit, and then see what you can do,” she said.
Looking ahead, Paige envisions a more dynamic future for Stoke-on-Trent’s art scene. As the city approaches its centenary year, she sees an opportunity for Stoke-on-Trent to redefine itself as a hub for contemporary art, rather than relying solely on its pottery heritage. “Do we want it to be an art hub, for the arts and culture to be the main thing?” she asked, suggesting that new, modern workshops and digital art initiatives during 2025 could be key to this transformation.
Paige’s voice is one that champions change, even disruption, and the inclusion of younger generations in shaping Stoke-on-Trent’s artistic future.
Find Paige here:
Instagram: @paige.suttonart
#Emerge&See is SOT CULTURE’s series investigating what it’s like to be a young or emerging artist in Stoke-on-Trent. What are the issues? What are the solutions? How can we best support our city’s new creative talent?
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