Salford artists launch Chapel Street Open Studios
The Chapel Street area of Salford will be hosting a fortnight of events in November as artists’ studios open their doors to exhibit and sell their work.
Chapel Street Open Studios is the latest in a series of events, which is establishing the area as a hot bed of creative talent.
Venues taking part include Islington Mill, Manchester Artists’ Studio Association (MASA) and the Casket Works - home to Hot Bed Press, Suite Studios and Cow Lane as well as Salford’s oldest church Sacred Trinity and its sister chapel, St Philip’s Church.
Chapel Street is already a centre for artistic production with more than 100 creative businesses located in the area and a base for more than 60 visual artists. The event will allow visitors to buy exclusive works and Christmas gifts while enjoying mulled wine and meeting the artists.
Megan Price is one of the artists based on Chapel Street at Islington Mill. Megan runs Mr.PS - a collection of interior accessories, which she designs and screen-prints.
Inspired by vintage signage, eating and drinking, and the great British seaside, Megan’s colourful prints and products are brightening up homes as far afield as Singapore, Japan, Australia, and North America.
Megan said: “I love being based here as there is a really good network of artists and studios which gives me inspiration and practical help. My business has really moved forward since being here.”
Chapel Street Open Studios will begin with Hot Bed Press, located in the Casket Works, which will be giving printmaking demonstrations as well as selling framed and unframed prints unique textiles, handmade cards and aprons.
Sean Rorke, development manager at Hot Bed Press, said: “In addition to our new prints we will also have a limited stock of prints and other work in our clearance sale so you need to be sure to get here early to pick up a bargain.
“Hot Bed Press runs courses on printmaking so this is a good introduction to the studio if you are interested in becoming involved.”
Also on display will be a complete portfolio of work created from a print exchange with a Red Hot Press in Southampton.
Cow Lane studios, which is also based in the Casket Works will be opening their doors to the public at the same time as Hot Bed Press.
The work of artist Leslie Holmes, whose studio is located in St Philip’s Church, will be exhibited in the spiral staircase leading up to the Bell Tower - which isn’t normally open to the general public. Leslie’s recent work features a series of charcoal drawings recording the rapidly changing Chapel Street.
Visitors will also be able to see inside Salford’s oldest church, Sacred Trinity on Chapel Street, which will be hosting a mixed media exhibition by the Sacred Trinity Art Collective.
Islington Mill, on James Street, will be throwing open its doors for Christmas at Islington Mill - A Contemporary Craft Fair.
Visitors can buy directly from some of the Northwest's finest artists and crafts people. A variety of work from ceramics, furniture, jewellery and fashion accessories to art, photography and printmaking can be purchased and taken away on the night.
Many of the products on sale will be one-off, limited edition or handmade pieces such as design-led accessories from Don’t Bitch Stitch, making very special Christmas presents.
Amy Daniels is a ceramic artist interested in capturing the natural beauty in discarded material. Her work is inspired by visits to junkyards. Rust, cracks, bright layers of peeling paintwork and rough worn edges are qualities she transfers through her work. Each piece has a unique surface and form and is slab built using crank clay.
Manchester Artists Studios Association (MASA) was one of the first studios set up in Manchester in 1983 and is now a thriving fine art studio located in Ferguson House on Blackfriars Road, off Chapel Street.
MASA is home to 11 artists who all work in a range of disciplines and media with many of them exhibiting nationally and internationally, working to commission and selling. Previous members include painter Liam Spencer.
They will be on hand to talk about and sell their work to visitors.
Ends
Chapel Street Open Studios Programme
Saturday 14th November & Sunday 15th November
11am - 5pm
Hot Bed PressPrintmakers’ Studio (number1)
1st floor, The Casket Works, Cow Lane, Salford M5 4NB
0161743 3111
Saturday 14th November & Sunday 15th November
11am - 5pm
Cow Lane Studio (number2)
1st floor, The Casket Works, Cow Lane, Salford M5 4NB
Friday 20th November & Saturday 21st November
12pm - 4pm
St Philip’s Church (number3)
St Philip’s Place, Salford, M3 6FJ
0161 834 2041
Saturday 21st November & Sunday 22nd November
12.30pm – 4pm
Sacred Trinity Church, (number6)
Chapel Street, Salford, M3 5DW
0161 834 2041
Thursday 26th November
5pm -9pm
Christmas at Islington Mill (number4)
James Street, Salford M3 5HW
Saturday 28th November & Sunday 29th November
Saturday 12pm-5pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm
Open Studios at MASA (number5)
2nd Floor, Ferguson House, 11 Blackfriars Road, Salford, M3 7AQ
0161 832 3361
Media Contact: Margaret Blackburn at Creative Concern 0161236 0600
Images are available on request