Sarah Calavera

Mixed Media Artist Gelli Printmaker Creative Explorer

Sarah Calavera is a mixed media artist, Gelli print maker, and creative explorer dedicated to creating dynamic, inclusive spaces that spark proactive engagement with art. Based in Crook, County Durham, she facilitates hands-on workshops that combine street art influences, creative printmaking with non-traditional materials, and experimental methods of analogue photography.

Sarah’s creative works are inspired and influenced by her love of retro horror/sci-fi, goth and punk subculture, street art, pop/lowbrow art, and exploring the uses of unconventional materials in creative expression.

Sarah’s creative practice is rooted in the belief that art should be accessible and collaborative; she fosters environments where creativity flourishes and everyone’s voice is valued. Whether facilitating experimental workshops, collaborating on community projects, or exhibiting work across the UK and beyond, she is dedicated to exploring the power of art to connect people, spark conversation, and celebrate collective creativity.

Sarah’s creative journey has led her to collaborate with a wide range of inspiring organisations and communities. In 2024, she served as a judge for the Durham University Student Art Prize which led to a 5 month Artist in Residence for the 2024/2025 edition of the prize. She worked with students and community through creative workshops, 1:1 creative mentoring and participating in drop-ins to encorage higher engagement with the prize open call.

She is passionate about all forms of printmaking, but her main focus is exploring Gelli Printing. Having led multiple exploratory workshops at Durham Sixth Form Centre, Durham University, Trimdon Pride, and Consett Heart Arts and Heritage Centre—Gelli Printing is most definitely one of Sarah's outstanding skills .

Working with Place Lab and No More Nowt, she has also brought experimental printmaking sessions to communities in Durham City and Peterlee, making art accessible and engaging for people from all walks of life.

A highlight of her practice was leading a collaborative Paste Up project at Beamish Museum with the National Women Against Pit Closures Group, using public art to celebrate local stories and activism for positive change. Her work has been exhibited at the Bill Bryson Library as part of the Art Collective Strike exhibition, and she has represented Strike Collective at the iconic Durham Miner's Gala with Redhills.

Sarah’s exhibitions span from Nana’s House in Peterlee (for the Into The Light Place Lab project), to the Botanical Gardens with the Biophysical Sciences Institute at Durham University, and even internationally—showing Digital Street Art in Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, and Rome with Digislaps, as well as at Nowt Special events in Newcastle.

Image credit @_valeria.photography

Image credit @_valeria.photography

Image credit @_valeria.photography

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