GATESHEAD.- Eight of the biggest names in art and music have pledged their support for BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art.

Antony Gormley, David Shrigley, Louise and Jane Wilson, Yoko Ono, Melvyn Bragg, Sting, Neil Tennant and Bryan Ferry have been unveiled as the first Honorary Patrons whose role will be to champion the Gateshead gallery.

Legendary musician and lead singer of Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry will become the first Honorary Patron to appear at the gallery when he hosts a special one-off event early in the New Year to raise funds for BALTIC’s Learning Programme.

Born in Washington Co. Durham, Ferry studied Fine Art at Newcastle University before becoming one of the most iconic figures in popular music.

Bryan Ferry will return to the North East on Saturday 22 January for an exclusive In Conversation with evening which will provide fans with a unique chance to hear him talk about his musical career and private art collection.

The evening will include a champagne reception and will be hosted by writer and cultural commentator Michael Bracewell who has written extensively about Bryan Ferry, including the book Re-make/Re-model which explores how Ferry’s time at Newcastle University under the teaching of artist Richard Hamilton influenced the style and sound of the band.

After the talk Ferry will be signing copies of his Olympia Deluxe Book Edition, available from the BALTIC SHOP.

The event will be accompanied by a display of photographs from Bryan Ferry’s latest album Olympia, featuring images of Kate Moss taken by photographer Adam Whitehead and directed by Ferry. The iconic Roxy Music album covers will be also be on display for the first time.

The exhibition will appear on Level 1 from Saturday 15 – Tuesday 25 January and will be open to the general public.

BALTIC Director, Godfrey Worsdale said: “That we have been able to recruit the support of such a strong group of honorary patrons in such a short space of time is a fantastic endorsement of BALTIC.

Bryan Ferry’s passion for the arts and regional connection make him the perfect choice to launch the Patrons scheme and with the Turner Prize coming to Gateshead, the next 12 months promise to be a great time to be involved with BALTIC.”