PRESSRELEASE-FORIMMEDIATERELEASEIssued:September2018

PERSPECTIVES

October2018–February2019

80learningdisabledartistsshownewworkacrossGreaterManchester

Photo:EllieWalmsleyArtwork:CeramicheadsbyDarrenGallagher,AndrewJohnstone,AhmedMohammed,andKathyWilmot.

Thisautumn80learningdisabledartistswilloccupycontemporaryandhistoricalvenuesacrossGreaterManchesterinPERSPECTIVES,aseriesofexhibitions,happeningsandcreativeexchangesproudlypresentedbyVentureArts,avisualartsorganisationwhosupportandnurturetheartworkandcareersoflearningdisabledartists.From1October2018throughto24February2019,artworksdevelopedoverthelasttwoyearswillbeunveiledtothepublicforthefirsttimeinanumbergroupshowsincludingthemesofcollections,textandline,andphotography.Exhibitions,happeningsandaccompanyingeventswilltakeplacecitywideatmultiplevenuesincluding;FredAldousLtd,TheManchesterContemporary,ElizabethGaskell’sHouse,TheLowry,theWhitworth(ThursdayLatestakeover),NOMA-OhOkLtd,andStudio53,VentureArts’newstudioandexhibitionspace.

Onthe1-2October,livefromtheNorthernQuarters’FredAldousLtdartsuppliers,artistLeslieThompsonfromVentureArtsandManchesterartistandillustratorMattGirlingwilldrawinspirationfromtheirmemories,aswellascapturingthebustlingenvironmentandpassers-byinalarge-scalesite-specificdrawingthatwillevolveintoafleetinginterpretationofManchestercitylife.From12-14OctoberTheManchesterContemporaryArtFair(Booth166)willseeCastlefieldGalleryandVentureArtsbuildontheirlongstandingpartnershipbypresenting‘Spillingout.’ThisjointpresentationincludesnewandexistingworksbyartistswholiveandworkintheNorthWestregion;FrancesDisley,BarryAnthonyFinan,JennieFranklin,KatieTomlinson,JohnPowell-Jones,AhmedMohammedandLeslieThompson.

FredAldous1-2October‘1811am-4pm

TheManchesterContemporary13-14October‘18Preview|12Oct

ElizabethGaskell’sHouse1Nov–2Dec‘18Preview|1Nov5:30-7:30pm

TheLowry24Nov18–24Feb‘19Preview|24Nov2-4:30pm

theWhitworthThursdayLates29Nov‘186-9pm

VentureArts-Studio539-11(Show1)16-18(Show2)Nov18Preview1|8thNov6-8pm,Preview2|15thNov6-8pm

NOMA11-21Dec‘18Preview|13Dec6-8pm

LeslieThompson,AKA‘TheSuperstarArtistDrawer’willbelivecapturinghisinterpretationofthefaironitsopeningeveningofFriday12October.TextandlineareleadingthemesintheartworkdisplayedatElizabethGaskell’sHouse,therestoredhomeofcelebratedEnglishnovelistandwriterElizabethGaskellinLongsight.Takingplacefrom1November–2December,emergingartistMichaelBeard’ssizabletextdrawings,conveyinghopesanddreamstoexploretheworldwillbeexhibitedalongsideFlorenceHaskin’sneatlyembroideredtypographypieceaboutherfavouriteYouTubevideos.AlsoondisplaywillbeacclaimedartistBarryAnthonyFinan’sporcelainscrolls,featuringhiscontinuouslinesofwritingabouthisfascinationwith‘TELEVISSIONS,’theBBCandprominentfiguresinhislife.VentureArts,Director,AmandaSuttonsays:‘Itissoimportanttomethatwewillbeseeingtheworkofallofourbrilliantartistsacrossthecitythisautumn.Perspectivesreflectsdiverseaspectsoflifethroughtheeyesofover80artists.Iamverymuchlookingforwardtoseeingeverybitofitandwouldurgeotherstodothesame!’

Onconsecutiveweekendsof9-11and16-18November,VentureArtsopensitsnewstudiospaceinHulme,Studio53,withdifferingandunusualworkseachtimeexploringexperimentalart,photography,sculptureandmovingimage.Thesestudioshowswilloffervisitorsaninsightintotheartist’screativepractice,viewingthecollectionofartworksinsituwheretheworkhasbeendeveloped.Highlightsincludeare-appropriatedrecordplayerthathascollaborativelybeentransformedintoazoetropeofartisticpre-filmanimationsanda3Dprojectionmappinginstallation.TheLowry,SalfordQuays,willdisplayartistichighlightsofartworkcreatedbyyoungartistswhoregularlytakepartinVentureArts’YoungPeople’sArtClub.Artworkfromthreelocalprimaryandsecondaryschools,whoworkedalongsidelearningdisabledartiststocreateaneclecticrangeofartworks,willalsofeatureinthisjointexhibitionlaunchingthe24NovemberuntilFebruary2019.

VentureArtswillhosttheirsecondThursdayLateseventattheWhitworthonthe29November,generatingopenconversationsaboutthelabelingofartwithinthecontemporaryartworld.IntheupandcomingNOMAareaincentralManchester,OHOKLtd,willhostanexhibitionhighlightinglargercollectionsofartwork.ExamplesincludeTerryWilliamsgrainyblackandwhitephotographydocumentingtimesgonebyandholidaymemoriesthatcapturehissenseofnorthernnostalgiaandhisloveoftheseaside.HoraceLindezeyalsoshareshisfascinationwithweddings,andeverythingassociatedwiththem,acrossclay,embroideryandphotomontage.Perspectiveswillsharenotonlythedifferentperspectivesoftheartistsintermsoftheirartworkanddisciplines,butalsohowtheyviewandexistintheworldtodayaspracticingcontemporaryartistswithlearningdisabilities.ENDS//www.venturearts.orgTwitter@VentureArts|Facebook@VentureArtsManchester|Instagram@venturearts_#PERSPECTIVESVAForfurtherinformationorimagesortoarrangeinterviewspleasecontactKateRoyleorAmandaSutton,VentureArtsoncomms@venturearts.org/Amanda@venturearts.orgortelephone01612321223EventsLeslieThompsonandMattGirlingLiveDrawingFredAldous1-2October|11am-5pmClayWorkshopwithBarryFinanandMichaelBeardElizabethGaskell’sHouse15Nov|2-4pm|Bookingrequired£7eachMeettheArtist’s–DropinElizabethGaskell’sHouse25Nov|11:30am-1:30pm

DropinandDrawwithLeslieVentureArts:Studio5310Nov|12pm-2pmPhotographyworkshopVentureArts:Studio5317Nov|2-4pm|Free-BookingrequiredShareyourweddingstorieswithHoraceoverAfternoonTeaNOMA|OHOKLtd15Dec|11am-1pm|Free-BookingrequiredListingInformationExhibitionTitle:PerspectivesExhibitions|Happenings|CreativeExchangesExhibitionDates:1October2018–24February2019PressPreviews:4:30-5:30pm|1Nov|ElizabethGaskell’sHouse5-6pm|11December|NOMA–OHOKLtdPublicPreviews:TheManchesterContemporary|12October20185-9pmElizabethGaskell’sHouse|1November5:30-7:30pmVentureArts|Studio53(Show1)8November6-8pm,(Show2)15November6-8pmTheLowry|24November2-4pmThursdayLateseventattheWhitworth–6-9pmNOMAhostedbyOHOKLtd|6-8pmNOTESTOEDITORSVentureArtsisaprogressivevisualartsorganisationbasedinHulme,Manchester,supportinglearningdisabledartiststocreateandshownewvisualartusingarangeofartmediums.VentureArtsbelieveinaworldinwhichpeoplewithlearningdisabilitiesareempowered,celebrated,includedandvaluedinthearts,cultureandsociety.Theirprofessionalartsstudioanddynamicartist-ledprogrammeprovidesasocialandstimulatingenvironmentforlearningdisabledpeopletodeveloptheirartistictalents.Artistsexhibittheirworkingnationallyandinternationally.VentureArtsleadover1500artist-ledvisualartsprojectsperyearworkingwithover200peopleandrunengagementprogrammesthathelplearningdisabledpeopletoworkandvolunteerinculturalandeducationalenvironments.AsleadersintheUK,VentureArtsaimistoshapeanewculturallandscapewherepeoplewithlearningdisabilitiesreachtheirpotentialasartists,curators,critics,audiences,participantsandadvocates.Formoreinformationpleasevisitwww.venturearts.orgVentureArtsispartofArtsCouncilEngland’sNationalPortfolioandisaculturalpartnerofManchesterCityCouncil2018-22.VentureArtsisaRegisteredCharity,number1176385andaCompanyLimitedbyGuarantee,number10823617.FredAldousFredAldousislong-establishedstorestockingcomprehensiverangeofartsandcraftsmaterialsandhaberdashery.https://www.fredaldous.co.uk/TheManchesterContemporaryNowinitstenthyear,TheManchesterContemporarytakesauniquelyartist-focusedapproach,invitingthemostexcitinginternationalandUKgalleriestoparticipate.Withcarefulselectionandboldcuratorialvision,TheManchesterContemporaryshowcasesthestrengthoftheUK’sregionalartistsandgalleriesalongsidekeyinternationalpresentationsthatcanonlybeseeninManchester.https://www.themanchestercontemporary.co.uk/CastlefieldGalleryCastlefieldGallerywasestablishedbyartistsin1984,andisthefirstpubliccontemporaryvisualartgallerytohaveopenedinManchester.Theorganisationdeliversaprogrammeofexhibitions,projectsandeventsfromitsmaingalleryincentralManchester,whilstalsocommissioning,curatingandproducingoff-siteandpublicart,nationalandinternationalartistresidencies,andexchangeprogrammes.CastlefieldGalleryisanartistfocusedorganisation,committedtosupportingartisticandcareerdevelopmentforvisualartists,andoperatesa200+strongartist,curatorandwriterCastlefieldGalleryAssociatesprofessionaldevelopmentprogramme,membershipalsoenablingaccesstoNewArtSpaces,pop-upartandproductionspaceslocatedacrossGreaterManchester.

CastlefieldGallery’sinternationalprogrammefacilitatesinternationalexchangetoexportartbeingproducedintheNorthWestofEnglandandenablemeaningfulrelationshipsbetweenartistsnationallyandinternationallytoflourishoverextendedperiodsoftime.CastlefieldGallery’sArtistPatronisRyanGander,OBE.CastlelfieldGalleryisaregisteredcharity,aNationalPortfolioOrganisationofArtsCouncilEnglandandManchesterCityCouncilCulturalPartner.https://www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk/ElizabethGaskell’sHouseElizabethCleghornGaskell(1810-65)wasborninLondonandbroughtupinKnutsford,Cheshire.In1832ElizabethmarriedWilliamGaskell,whowasassistantministeratCrossStreetUnitarianChapelinManchesterandlaterlivedat84PlymouthGrovewithherfamilyfrom1850untilherdeathin1865.ThetwounmarriedGaskelldaughters,MetaandJulia,livedinthehouseuntilMeta’sdeathin1913.TheHouseisaGradeII*listedproperty,wasbuiltaround1835-1841andisararesurvivingexampleofasuburbanvilla.ItwasdesignedinthefashionableGreekRevivalstyle,probablybyRichardLane,aprominentlocalarchitect.http://elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk/Openingtimes:Wednesday,ThursdayandSunday11.00am-4.30pm(lastadmission4pm)TheLowryTheLowryisaregisteredcharity(No:1053962)committedtousingvisualandperformingartstoenrichpeople’slives.Wepresentaudienceswithadiverseprogrammeoftheatre,opera,musicals,dance,music,comedyandvisualartaswellaseventsandactivitiestoexpandthehorizonsofaudiencesandartistsalike.Attheheartofourworkisacommitmenttoourlocalcommunitiesandyoungpeople.Tappingintotheworkonourstagesandinourgalleries,weofferthousandsoffreecreativeparticipationopportunitieseachyear.Wearepassionateaboutnurturingtalent,developingcreativeprofessionalsofthefutureandraisingaspirations.https://www.thelowry.com/OHOKLtdWelaunchedOHOKLTDin2016basedaroundasharedbeliefthatplacesworkbetterwheneverybodyisinvolvedwithbuildingthem.Sincethenwehavebeenbusy.Welaunchedapublicfabricationworkshop,collaboratedwithHungarianDesigncollectivetodeliverlargescalepublicartwork,deliveredanumberofcitycentreevents,andbuiltapubfromscratchwiththepeopleofManchester.Wearealwayslookingtoexpandourportfoliowithparticipatoryplacemakingprojectswherewecanworkalongsidedevelopersandcommunitiestocreatemeaningfulresults.http://ohokltd.com/TheWhitworthTheWhitworthispartofTheUniversityofManchester.Itishometointernationallyrenownedcollectionsofmodernart,textiles,watercolours,prints,drawingsandsculpture.Createdin1889asthefirstEnglishgalleryinapark,theWhitworthhasdevelopedanewvisionfortheroleofauniversitygallery.Acreativelaboratorywithinanambitiousuniversity,theWhitworthisaplacewheregood,unusualthingshappen.TheWhitworthre-openedtothepublicon14February2015afteramajor£17millionredevelopmentbyarchitectsMUMA.TheWhitworthhaswelcomedover800,000sincere-opening,andmorethandoubleditspreviousannualrecords.Theredevelopmenthasdoubledpublicspaceandcreatedstateof-the-artnewfacilitiesincludingexpandedgalleryspaces,astudycentre,learningstudio,andacollectionscentre.ThegallerywascrownedArtFundMuseumofYear2015,nominatedfortheprestigiousStirlingPrizeandnamedBestEmergingCulturalDestinationinEurope.http://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/ThursdayLateattheWhitworth:Aseriesofsociable,afterworkandlateopeningsthataretheperfectplacetomeetupwithfriends,explorethegalleryandenjoyaspeciallycuratedselectionoftalks,performances,filmscreenings,livemusicandartistinterventions.ThursdayLatesareanopportunityfortheWhitworthtoengagewithdiverseaudiencesandofferartists,communities,producersandthinkersaplatformtodevelopandsharetheirwork.Alleventsarefreeunlessotherwisestated.Moreinfohere:http://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/whats-on/events/thursdaylates/Funders:

ThankstoG.F.Smithforsponsoringourexhibitionbooklet.ThankyoualsotoStaelderandPoscaPensforsupplyingLeslieThompsonandMattGirlingwithpensfortheirlivedrawingevent.