I need to say a big thankyou to everyone who attended and was involved in the Hullywood Icons Opening Event and Exhibition preparations:

THANK YOU! YOU ARE ALL STARS!

The opening event of the Hullywood Icons show at HIP Gallery in Princess Quay Shopping Center was extraordinary in so many ways here are just a few

400 tickets were issued via Eventbrite on the night over 400 people attended.

GF Smith supplied all the prints for the exhibition going above and beyond all expectations.

Many of the Hullywood Icons came in costume giving the event a really great celebratory feel.

Bandanarama played an incredible set halfway through the event adding to a really great party atmosphere.

There were cocktails (thanks to Darren Squires), Nibbles supplied by Furley and Co and Wine  and glasses supplied by Majestic Wines. Only one broken glass all night! The drinks flowed and the party happened in fine style!

The silver screen was supplied by Tim Wall and installed by his son Ben Wall. Tim also worked on the external projections in Hull, Beverley and Bridlington with sound man and Landrover wrangler Chris Broadwell.

Thanks to the The Chain Gang (The Mayors of Hull, East Riding and beyond) and to Sean Chaytor who’s speech was fantastic. You guys know how to party.

To Anna Dinsdale who made the remarkable thank you speech and gave me the wonderful book present on behalf the Hullywood Icons which I love and will treasure.

I  have to say a special thank you to the remarkable Alan Raw for curating the images, going the extra mile on my behalf to make the exhibition happen. To all the HIP Gallery volunteer for working so extraordinarily hard to hang the exhibition and prepare the space. I need to thank the volunteers from the Creative and Cultural Company and HIP Gallery. Special thanks to Creative and Cultural Company volunteer Ellie Hardy who grabbed so many great shots on the night and over the opening weekend.

To Furley and Co for the after party venue I say a big thankyou.

I need to say thankyou also to Les Drake who is making a documentary about the Hullywood Icons and was filming on the night.

To GF Smith for sponsoring the print and to the Arts Council for funding the creation of the work through their Grants for the Arts Scheme.

So to everyone involved in the opening and exhibition I say a heartfelt thanks. You have all gone the extra mile. Hull is a great city and it’s people are without doubt it’s greatest asset.