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Chelsy Hutton

Our borough is home to incredible creatives, talented artists and one-of-a-kind makers who create conversation-starting pieces inspired their hometown experiences. One such artist, who has grown a Cleethorpes shop into a supportive, collaborative artistic community is Chelsy Hutton. 

Being born in Grimsby and growing up in Cleethorpes had a huge influence on Chelsy’s journey, who you may know as ‘Northerner on the Run’. “I was lucky enough to go to Lindsey School of Performing Arts, which let me play and experiment with different creative outlets before I went to college. I think that really shaped who I became, but I always remember being a little bit more ‘colourful’ than my siblings.


“Northerner On The Run actually began during my final year of University, as I began making travel plans. It started as a creative travel blog, where I wanted to share my travel photography whilst backpacking for a couple of years and it just stuck with me as I transitioned through different creative paths. I began making jewellery quite a few years ago now just as a hobby whilst in a stressful job, and then my friends started to wear them and wanted more! I made an Instagram page and needed a name… and NOTR just felt right!”


From jewellery to mirrors and homeware, to distinctive Grimsby-themed artwork and miniature Dock Tower statues in bold patterns and colours, Northerner on the Run became loved for its creativity and uniqueness, and soon took to one of Cleethorpes’ distinctive independent shops, Original Emporium.


“I joined the OE as a seller for my little side hustle, and didn’t think much of it, but I really took an interest in the business when I was there. I wanted to help grow it and attract cool stockists so it could thrive. During the first lockdown, I was made redundant from my full-time job and the owner of Original Emporium at the time was wanting to retire, and so I just said I’d take it. It was so out of character for me and terrifying in the middle of a pandemic, but I had nothing to lose at that point and I hated the idea of the creatives in store at the time having no place to go. 


“And so, the OE began. I took the opportunity during the closure of the shops to completely refurbish the place and put my own stamp on it and fill the place with exciting people. I love the idea of one day in the very distant future, passing the OE onto another aspiring creative to take it into another new direction.”

It wasn’t long before the OE community of makers and artists took their creations on the road to markets across Grimsby and Cleethorpes. 


“It was a very natural progression, the creatives in store were constantly struggling to get onto the local markets we had at the time. We had such a huge amount of talent, but because the smaller local markets already had regular traders, no one was willing to give anyone new a chance, so it came to Christmas as I just thought, sod it, I’ll just do my own! It went so well and felt amazing. I was only planning on doing the one, but as soon as people started asking when the next one was, I couldn’t resist!


“Supporting the local creative and maker communities is so important because without sustainable income for local artists, they cannot stay here and do what they love. I left Grimsby at the first chance I could because there was nowhere for me to use my skill set, hence the name Northerner On The Run. It was such slim pickings when searching for a job that was even slightly creative. I had a creative degree and the only way for me to use that, at the time, was to be freelance, but I wasn’t ready to stop learning at that point. I needed more guidance from other creatives in inspiring roles.


I ended up in one of few creative roles working for a company that didn’t align with who I was, but I had nowhere else to go unless I moved to a city. So being able to supply other new and experienced artists a place that brings in actual money, support and community guidance just feels like I’ve made a difference, or at least provided a stepping stone for young creatives to build confidence and self-worth before heading off to bigger things.”


“I’d love to encourage anyone that’s thinking of doing something a bit wild in an attempt to do what they love everyday, to do it. Use the support systems Grimsby and Cleethorpes has in place now, join the fun networking groups and meet the other locals that are passionate about our towns!


Words by Lindsay Cowie

Photography by Dan Clarke

Portrait proudly sponsored by...

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