The inaugural Didsbury Summer Open will launch at The Parsonage in Didsbury next week. The exhibition is a celebration of art by amateur and professionals from across Greater Manchester who were selected from an open call.
Presented by Didsbury Arts Festival, the Open is free to visit, fulfilling the charity’s remit to make the arts accessible to all.
Curated by artist-curator Nancy Collantine, the Didsbury Summer Open gives new and established artists a platform to exhibit and sell work.
“In May, we held an open call and received over 200 entries from 97 artists,” explains Hannah Mahapatra, trustee of Didsbury Arts Festival. “I was so impressed by the quality of work and the variety of mediums used. I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to submit something.”
Nancy Collantine has curated exhibitions and installations with the DIY platform, Dez Rez Projects and for two years ran Mura Ma gallery in Stockport.
“Pieces were considered according to a list of criteria, but above all else, it was the work that surprised or challenged us that made the final cut. Having work displayed in an exhibition is a fantastic experience for new and established artists alike. I know that getting work in front of an audience and seeing it curated in a show really helps to develop the artists’ practices.”
“It’s exciting to be a part of a show that celebrates what a vibrant, artistic centre Greater Manchester is,” adds Nancy. “I congratulate everyone who took the step to apply and those who made the final exhibition.”
Several art and writing classes will run during the Open to raise funds for next year’s Festival and the charity’s social inclusion work. Tickets available on Eventbrite and via www.didsburyartsfestival.org
Picture Credit Suzanne Bethell – ‘Eye of the storm’.
