My First Trip to Leeds: A Day of Missed Trains, New Connections, and Creative Inspiration
My first visit to Leeds was nothing short of an adventure.
It wasn’t just about the city, it was about the people I met, the conversations I had, and the creative energy I experienced throughout the day.
The journey itself started with a bit of chaos. I was meant to meet Navigator North director, Vicky in Darlington, but I missed my train. That moment could have easily ruined the day, but it ended up being part of the story. I had to get off at Yarm, and that’s where I met Yemi—a Nigerian who unexpectedly became my guide. It was only my second time using the train system, and he took the time to show me how everything worked. Safe to say, I now feel a lot more confident navigating trains.
Eventually, I met up with Vicky, and we began our drive down to Leeds. That ride turned into one of those deep, meaningful conversations about culture, work, and future plans. Somewhere in between, I took a quick five-minute nap—and by the time I woke up, we had arrived.
Our first stop was to East Street Arts, visiting Patrick Studios and Convention House. That place was full of life. I met some incredible people, including photographer, director of Lens Lab Leeds and Digital Marketing Coordinator for East Street Arts – Wes Foster, who took us around and showed us the spaces. Walking through the buildings felt like stepping into different worlds of creativity. There were studios filled with unique artworks, facilities including 3D printing machines used for clay sculptures, and even pieces like laser cut Arabic calligraphy that carried so much cultural depth. Every corner had something to take in, something to learn from.
After exploring the building, we went on to meet Alec Aarons – photographer and director of fine art printing studio Fresh Aire. Visiting his lab was an experience on its own. Alec walked us through different types of prints, explaining what works best for different purposes. It wasn’t just a visit, it was an educational. Moments like that remind me how much there is to learn in the creative space.
From there, I met up with an old friend, David. It’s always special reconnecting with someone who shares the same creative passion. We spent time shooting videos together, just creating and enjoying the moment.
We ended the day back at East Street Arts, to their project space at Patrick Studios for ‘Lens on Gaza: The Sun and Moon Still Rise’ by photographer and activist Fadi A. Thabet. One of the highlights for me was seeing work connected to Gaza—it was powerful, emotional, and thought-provoking. Art like that stays with you. The exhibition will run until 9 May 2026, with more information about it here.
By the end of the day, I had met amazing people, had meaningful conversations, eaten good food, and captured great moments. It was a full day—one of those days that reminds you why you love what you do…and just like that, everyone went back to their homes. As for me, I left Leeds with more than just memories, I left with inspiration.
Blog post by Navigator North 2026 Studio Bursary Artist, Ayodeji Faturoti following a professional development day in Leeds on 17.04.26.
Photographs taken by Vicky Holbrough