Multidisciplinary creative, filmmaker, and writer Adam McLean reflects on the development of Ferry for Frogs, an exhibition held at Hartlepool Art Gallery in January 2025. Ferry for Frogs is a story written by Adam that was published in the annual Crossing the Tees Anthology. The story follows frogs who sail through the night sky on a ferry, picking up passengers, and singing, dancing and celebrating, while the world sleeps below them.

 

Adam invited local artists to respond to the theme of the story, resulting in an exciting array of creative work across disciplines including costume design, model making, painting, drawings and sculpture.  Exhibiting alongside Adam was illustrator, Kelsi Lees, who presented her exhibition, A Home Truth, which raised awareness to endangered species in the British Isles whose habitats are at risk. As a reflection of the success of the exhibition, Adam and Kelsi were invited to redesign the children’s area in the gallery, creating cozy, sensory corners to help young visitors learn about wildlife, habitats, and the importance of caring for nature.