Spectacular art installation dedicated to NHS and key workers comes to Manchester
'Gratitude' is a collection of 51 uniquely-painted human form sculptures highlighting the endless dedication of NHS carers and key workers across the country.
A spectacular new art installation honouring the NHS and key workers is arriving in Manchester city centre next month.
After an open call encouraging the people of Greater Manchester to submit real-life stories and poems about key workers during the COVID-19 pandemic was put out earlier this year, Wild in Art (the global art producer behind the much-loved Bee In The City trail) has announced a Gratitude art installation will arrive in the city centre at the start of September.
‘Gratitude’ is a collection of 51 uniquely-painted human form sculptures that are all designed by individual artists, and curated in partnership with creative ambassador Dame Zandra Rhodes.
The free-to-visit installation – which will be accompanied by a selection of stories recorded by a host of well-known local voices (including Christopher Eccleston, John Thompson, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Shobna Gulati) – will be enclosed by mirrors on two sides to create reflections.
Manchester artists Lei-Mai LeMaow, Guy McKinley, Fernandes Makes, and Jodie Silverman are among the acclaimed UK artists taking part.
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‘Gratitude’ is a collection of 51 uniquely-painted human form sculptures / Credit: David Oates Photography
Gratitude is hoping to connect people, communities, artists and businesses to reflect and show their appreciation.
The installation will be open to the public before the sculptures are auctioned off at a later date, with some proceeds going towards NHS Charities Together and supporting hospitals, ambulance services, community and mental healthcare providers.
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Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and co-founder of Wild in Art, said: “Gratitude is set to be a beautiful and striking tribute which celebrates the incredible courage and dedication of the UK’s NHS staff and all key workers.
“We are delighted to be taking our tour to Manchester’s St Peter’s Square.”
Gratitude will debut in Birmingham before arriving in St Peter’s Square in Manchester city centre / Scott Kershaw Photography
He continued: “[It comes] after months of hard work from artists across the UK, who have dedicated their time and creativity to help us produce an installation which reflects our endless Gratitude for the care and kindness that all key workers have provided.”
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Gratitude will debut in Birmingham before arriving in St Peter’s Square in Manchester city centre on Friday 3 – Sunday 12 September, and then moving on to Edinburgh and London.
There will be dedicated time slots available to visit the site and an allocated number of tickets for the general public to reserve.
Tickets for Gratitude in Manchester will be available from 10am on Friday 13 Augusthere.
Horror film festival Grimmfest announces fear-filled return to Manchester next month
Emily Sergeant
Spooky season is just around the corner, and now a popular horror film has announced its return to Manchester next month.
Grimmfest, also known as Manchester’s International Festival of Fantastic Film, has confirmed its 2026 return dates, and has also announced its the full lineup – with four fear-filled days planned, showcasing the best in brand-new horror genre cinema.
You can expect some ferocious feature films, a savage selection of shorts, hair-raising horror classics back on the big screen, and more premieres than ever before.
Returning to Odeon Great Northern early next month, Grimmfest audiences will have an exclusive opportunity to see many of the films on the lineup long before their formal release – with both world, UK, and international premieres on the cards.
Some of the programme’s highlights this year include the UK premiere of Zachary Wigon’s darkly comedic period piece, Victorian Pyscho, shot in Ireland and starring big-name stars Maika Monroe, Jason Isaacs, Thomasin McKenzie, and Ruth Wilson.
Ángel Gómez Hernández’s Crawlers will also make its UK debut at the festival, and horror fans are also said to be eagerly awaiting Jason Lei Howden’s Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon – which is the highly anticipated follow-up to the beloved cult metal comedy-horror, Deathgasm.
There will also be an array of incredible short films screened throughout the festival, all in a huge range of styles, themes, and twisted sensibilities, proving that when it comes to Grimmfest, good things often come in small packages.
Grimmfest has announced its fear-filled return to Manchester next month / Credit: Grimmfest | Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)
It’s not just new releases you can expect either, as some absolute horror classics are also set to return to the big screen for their anniversaries.
Respected guests from all around the world are set to descend on Manchester for the festival, and that include the film makers and actors from many of the selected films.
And of course there will be plenty of film introductions, Q&As, and signings for fans.
Grimmfest 2026 returns to Oden Great Northern from from 8 – 11 October, and you can see the full lineup and get tickets here.
Featured Image – Grimmfest (Supplied)
Art & Culture
Chester Zoo’s popular FREE Nature Fest returns this weekend with its biggest event yet
Emily Sergeant
A free festival helping people connect to nature is returning for its 10th anniversary, and organisers say it will be their biggest event yet.
Nature Fest is returning to Chester Zoo this weekend, and is set to explore the relationship between nature and wellbeing, with lots of new activities designed to help festivalgoers experience the benefits of connecting with the natural world
Around 4,000 people, and lots of families, are expected to attend across the weekend.
Visitors can take part in animal yoga sessions, relax in a zen den, and explore an interactive nature adventure based around the five pathways to nature connection, traveling along tunnels and through a tree along the way.
There will also be live music, puppetry, crafts, workshops and talks, alongside opportunities to discover how conservationists work to protect wildlife.
Chester Zoo’s popular Nature Fest returns this weekend with its biggest event yet / Credit: Chester Zoo
On top of that, the festival will feature stands from various nature organisations and community groups across the North West, talks and tips from nature professionals, and wildlife-friendly gardening sessions with the zoo’s schools team.
Chester Zoo has also teamed up with Outside Lives Ltd on the festival, giving visitors the chance to take part in other activities like crazy golf, den building, and willow weaving.
“We’re hoping our 10th Nature Fest will be the biggest yet,” commented Chris Ablett, who is the Community Volunteer Assistant Manager at Chester Zoo.
“Chester Zoo is well known for supporting conservation across the world but protecting nature here in the UK is just as important.
“We want people to know there are simple things they can do to help wildlife at home, and Nature Fest is a great way to link up with people and learn new skills you can put into practice in your community, all while enjoying a great day out.”
Chester Zoo’s Nature Fest returns for 2026 this weekend on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September. It’s free to attend, parking is also free, and no booking is required.
Emily Sergeant -
9th August 2021 
