Award Winning Animator Set to Receive Freedom of South Tyneside

The conferral of the Freedom of South Tyneside to an internationally renowned animator and artist is set to be considered at an Extraordinary Meeting of Borough Council next week (Wednesday 26 July).

South Shields-born Sheila Graber has demonstrated exceptional achievement in the animations sector, having animated well-known programmes including the popular BBC children's television series Paddington. The award-winning artist has also seen her animations screened at the Tate Gallery, the Open University and on BBC's Blue Peter.

Over the years, Sheila has engaged students of all ages and abilities in the arts. She has taught in workshops all over the world and in local schools, such as Stanhope Secondary, South Shields' Girls High School and King George Comprehensive, and in universities through roles including 'Animator in Residence' at the University of Teesside and as a 'Visiting Professor in Animation' at University of Sunderland.

She was also awarded an Honorary Fellowship for Outstanding Services to Education, Art and Animation by the University of Sunderland and has won several major regional and national awards during her long and successful career, including Best Digital Image Designer in the North East and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal Television Society.

Sheila has continued to enhance the reputation of the Borough with exhibitions of her work at local venues including South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, The Word and The Customs House, of which she is an Honorary Fellow.

She also supports numerous community causes, volunteers and donates funds from sales of her original paintings, drawings, prints and books, to help local charities.

Councillor Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said: "The Freedom of the Borough is one of the most prestigious awards - and the highest honour - that the Council can bestow on any individual or organisation.

"Sheila Graber is one of the UK's most celebrated animators and has brought so much joy to people through her work. Her drive to share her passion and skills with others in the Borough is immeasurable, not to mention the incredible amount of support she gives to numerous charities and community causes.

"It would be wonderful to be able to celebrate and pay tribute to Sheila by honouring her with the Freedom of the Borough in recognition of her outstanding achievements, her long service to the arts and for all she has done, and continues to do, for South Tyneside.

"It would be a recognition that is so richly deserved."

The Conferral will be considered during the Extraordinary Meeting which is taking place on Wednesday (26 July), at 3pm, in South Shields Town Hall. The formal conferral ceremony will be livestreamed on the Council's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@southtynesidecouncil

If agreed, Sheila would be joining 12 other individuals or organisations to have been awarded the Freedom of South Tyneside since 1981.

More recently, the honour has been bestowed on Ray Spencer MBE, local NHS, care services and key workers and South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade.