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Undercover artist: Emily Giddings celebrates Hockley

This month’s cover artist Emily Giddings spoke to us about artivism, being creative with a chronic health condition, and what inspires her illustrations.

Art works: Notts-based Thai artist Mallika Fraser

For this month’s Art Works we heard from Notts-based Thai artist Mallika Fraser, whose work is currently being shown in the New Art Exchange Open Exhibition.

How Foragers' Kitchen is bringing organic and local plant based produce to Sneinton Market

Just around the corner from LeftLion, Foragers’ Kitchen is one of the newest and most exciting additions to Nottingham arts and independents hub Sneinton Market Avenues. Opened in October 2025, it’s run by Notts-via-North-Wales chef Darcy Jerome Duncalf and his partner via Paris, Marianna Coulentianos (with help from a friendly greyhound named Dexter), and blends a plant-based menu with resolutely local and organic produce. We popped over to chat to Darcy about what brought him to our cosy end of Notts. 

Tattoo studio Good Mornink talk community, artistry and their upcoming charity flash day

Situated on the top floor of Hopkinson, one of Nottingham's most creative and quirky hangouts, tattoo studio Good Mornink is a welcoming community of international artists. Founder and Co-owner Melisa Büyük talks about turning dreams into the reality of owning a studio, and their upcoming charity flash day to raise money for Stonebridge City Farm...

Bittersweet streets: a look at artist Julian Pinnick's new exhibition at Broadway Gallery

Anyone who has lived in Nottingham for years will have snapshots in their mind of characters, shops and moments lost to time, but one local artist has gone a step further, memorialising fleeting scenes of Nottingham’s past in paint. Ahead of an upcoming exhibition at Broadway Gallery, Liz Johnson talks to Julian Pinnick about his creative journey and why slow art can capture a changing urban landscape

Undercover artist: Heather Hodkinson champions Green Hustle festival

Our Green Hustle festival-inspired May cover is the work of artist Heather Hodkinson who, as well as helping to shape the visual identity of Green Hustle, has lent her talents to promote lots of other green initiatives around Notts. She talks to us about her love of collage and why it’s important to get out and about.

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #18: Nyrobi and Chaya of ALT BLK ERA on winning a MOBO, playing Jools Holland, touring with Pendulum and homecoming gigs

This episode we are joined by Nyrobi and Chaya of ALT BLK ERA, who talk about their whirlwind year of winning a MOBO, appearing on Jools Holland and touring Europe with Pendulum…

Breakin’ Convention brings Hip Hop to Notts: founder Jonzi D tells all

Founded by Jonzi D, Hip Hop dance festival Breakin’ Convention returns to the Theatre Royal and Concert Hall this month. Bringing together world-class artists such as Ivan Michael Blackstock – a visionary creative behind choreography for Beyoncé - and local voices from rapper and spoken word performer Jah Digga to Hyson Green’s Take1Dance studio, in a celebration of dance, music and storytelling. Ahead of what’s guaranteed to be a boundary pushing celebration of one of the most exciting art forms to watch, Jonzi D talks to us about challenging preconceptions about where Hip Hop belongs… 

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #16: Notts County’s James Belshaw on his career, coming home and how he nearly signed for Notts several times before

This episode we are joined by Notts County FC goalkeeper James Belshaw who talks about his career, coming home to play for Notts County FC and how he nearly signed for Notts several times before...

Millie Manders and The ShutUp - Back to the FuTour

Local artist Laura Dickinson talks her forthcoming debut album as Lace Thief

Laura Dickinson's Lace Thief project epitomises the creative spirit of Nottingham: unafraid of challenge, independent, and deeply committed to her art. In advance of her debut record’s release, Laura talks to us about family, curiosity, and the city that has helped her express herself. 

Undercover artist: April Seaworth depicts springtime Notts in motion

The stars align this month, as our regular contributing illustrator April Seaworth presents our April 2026 cover. Below April talks about her work, inspirations, and why we should listen closely to the city and to nature… 

Undercover Artist: Dani Bacon snaps Notts most curious emporium, Hopkinson Vintage, Antiques and Art Centre

We chat to LeftLion Photography Co-editor and this month’s cover artist, Dani Bacon about photography, juggling projects and Bjork...

DIGITAL REALMS - Artists' Exibition & Stage Show

Holding Back the Years - the Ultimate Simply Red Tribute Experience

Out of hibernation: You Want Fox is Back!

Nottingham’s own female-based grunge rock duo, You Want Fox, have returned from their much-awaited hiatus, after almost two and a half years away from our stages. Channelling sounds from the likes of Royal Blood, and Deftones, to the nineties Riot Grrl movement - it’s clear duo Colette Elton and Natalie Caulton are a formidable act, once again ready to get Notts’ crowds moshing to their ethereal voices and heavy-hitting riffs. LeftLion caught up with the pair ahead of their comeback performance later this month…

Home away from home: life for Nottingham's Ukrainian diaspora

For decades, there has been a strong Ukrainian community in Notts, organising events and fundraisers to keep their culture and traditions alive. As such, Russia’s 2022 invasion of the country made our city an obvious destination for many refugee families. As we pass the invasion’s fourth anniversary, members of City Hub Ukraine and the Ukrainian School Band talk about supporting the diaspora and people caught up in the conflict… 

Undercover artist: Eli (Ziggy) Hayter on their Warhol themed February cover

This month’s cover artist Eli (Ziggy) Hayter tells us about their work, inspirations, and tips for staying creative…

Notts artist Nakufo on her new light installation

For this month’s Art Works we heard from Notts based artist Nakufo, whose work Obelisk of Connectivity will be part of Light Night 2026.

Undercover Artist: Craig Whitemore shares his journey into professional graphic design and illustration

Our January cover artist Craig Whitemore shares more about his journey into professional graphic design and illustration.

Surrender To It: the homegrown Notts feature film coming in 2026

Founded by Nottingham Television Workshop alumni Tim Bryn Smith, The Nottingham Actor’s Workshop has for fifteen years been an acting training ground for local people, whether their ambitions are professional, personal or somewhere in-between. In 2026, they’ve got a new project on the way – Surrender To It – a full length feature film, blending comedy, adventure, surrealism, and drama, written and directed by Tim himself, and set for release on global streaming platforms. Tim tells us more… 

Undercover artist: Eleanor Youdell is bringing art back into her life

This month’s cover artist Eleanor Youdell shares her journey as an artist, her tips for being creative, and the concept behind her cover art.

“It’s time to restate the case for the nature-first approach to Broad Marsh” - Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust urge local people to have their say on Homes England consultation

As Homes England moves the Broad Marsh development forward, public consultation continues. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Erin McDaid argues that whilst the UK Government continues to push the false narrative that nature is a blocker of growth, Nottingham’s Green Heart shows that nature can unlock a once in a generation transformation of our city. 

Home Alone In Concert

Home truths: what rough sleeping in Notts is really like

There are many types of homelessness, from those living in temporary accommodation to rough sleeping, and statistics suggest that year on year homelessness has been on the rise. But what is the real experience of sleeping rough, and what can the average person do to help? Matteo D’Alesio speaks to Edward, an unhoused man in Nottingham, and Dave Newmarch, Framework’s Director of Corporate Services…