Manchester’s innovative socially-distanced art trail is concluding next week with a festive finale to celebrate its successful run.
50 Windows of Creativity – which transformed Manchester into an art gallery to celebrate the city’s rich creative culture and went on to inspire and entertain thousands of city centre dwellers during lockdown and beyond – is to stream the auction live from the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on Thursday 17th December.
And on top of that, the trail has also been extended until Sunday 13th December too, giving Christmas shoppers and other visitors to the city the chance to ‘window shop’ the trail to discover their favourite makers and creators ahead of the auction.
Lucky bidders will then get the chance to win beautifully-poignant and memorable pieces of art to gift, self gift, or even donate.
At the auction – which will be hosted by auctioneer and TV personality, Charles Hanson – 72 individually-designed artworks, all created by Greater Manchester artists, will be under the Christmas spotlight, with proceeds from sales going to the talented artists, designers and makers involved in the trail, as well as The Lord Mayor of Manchester Charity Appeal Trust – We Love MCR Charity.
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Charles Hanson will also be joined by auctioneer Caroline Hawley from TV’s Flog It! and Bargain Hunt.
50 Windows of Creativity
From spectacular Mancunian mosaics by Mark Kennedy and Mary Goodwin, and fine art from RP Roberts and Dreph, to stunning photography from award-winning Benji Reid, delicate craft from Kaper, and murals, sculptures and more, there is a piece of art for most people and most pockets.
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Lots are estimated to go from just £30 up to £10,000.
Viewers will also be able to bid for an original one-off commission from some of the North West’s most famous artists, including the opportunity to have a unique version of the 50 Windows artwork by iconic designer Trevor Johnson, as well as work by spoken word poet Tony Walsh, illustrator Caroline Dowsett, and a bespoke botanical commission from Charlotte Smithson, who will work with the winning bidder to create a custom piece to style a space, or create a site specific sculpture or installation.
With the online auction landing just one week before Christmas, organisers hope that bidders will be inspired to buy something extra special this year to support the city’s creative community, which has sadly been hit so hard by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
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And of course, the We Love MCR Charity, which supports Manchester’s disadvantaged communities and individuals.
Bidders can now view the auction catalogue and register to bid in the online auction here.
Lot 36 – Sasha RayLot 13 – Tim Denton
50 Windows of Creativity has been created by Wild in Art, in partnership with Manchester City Council.
The project is supported by event partners Auto Trader and Dandara Living, with other businesses including Hobs Repro, Ocean Outdoor, Jamieson Contracting, TfGM, and Kimpton Clocktower Hotel also stepping forward to support the project.
Speaking on his hosting gig, Charles Hanson – auctioneer and antiques expert on Bargain Hunt, The Antiques Road Trip and Flog It! – said: “I’ve been privileged to see many incredible objects ‘under the hammer’ and the 50 Windows of Creativity artworks will be no exception.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to own an original piece of art and show support for Manchester’s artists, designers and makers, while also helping to raise funds to support the important work of the We Love MCR Charity.”
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Ben Reed – Head of Creative Development at Wild in Art – added: “We are delighted that 50 Windows of Creativity has enabled us to shine a light on Manchester’s art and creative community [and] we would like to extend sincere thanks to everyone involved,
“Particularly the artists and makers who have worked so hard to create the displays and the auction pieces.”
Lot 55 – Raptor GL GraffitiLot 58 – Justin Eagleton
Councillor Tommy Judge – The Lord Mayor of Manchester and Chair of Trustees of We Love MCR Charity – said: “We are delighted to be chosen as the benefiting charity for the 50 Windows of Creativity auction.
“We Love MCR Charity supports disadvantaged communities and individuals to be the best they can be and the funds we receive from our partnership with 50 Windows of Creativity will go directly to improving lives here in Manchester.”
Sharon Cameron – Regional Director Of Sales at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – added: “We are extremely proud to have supported and played a part in this wonderful event and [are] looking forward to the auction being showcased in our beautiful recently-refurbished Ballroom”.
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The 50 Windows of Creativity Auction will take place on Thursday 17th December from 7pm – 11pm, and will be streamed live from the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel.
You can find more information via the Bee In The City website here.
What's On
Swinton’s FREE festival full of live music, food, and ‘family fun’ returns later this month
Emily Sergeant
A popular festival full of pop-up live music, performance, food, drink, and family fun is back in Swinton later this month.
Returning to the Salford town for the third year running at some of Swinton’s favourite venues and well-known locations, Swinton Sounds – which is a collaboration between Salford City Council and From The Other – is all about celebrating the local area and its vibrant community.
Throughout the weekend, local venues will welcome a lineup of Greater Manchester’s best musicians and DJs in a programme curated by the team behind the Sounds from the Other City festival.
Local venues including Swinton Grand Palais, The Swinton Hop House, and The Wobbly Stool, as well as Swinton Square, and the beautiful Victoria Park, are just some of the places residents can head to around town to catch all the action.
Swinton Sounds is back later this month / Credit: Salford City Council
Kicking off on Friday 30 May and running through to Sunday 1 June, Swinton Sounds will launch at the historic Grand Palais with a dancefloor-filling set from Untold Orchestra, with unique takes on dance songs from all the best decades, so expect disco, funk, soul, and lots of shuffle-inducing surprises.
Some of the other stand-out musical performances across the weekend come from the likes of Soul artist Yemi Bolatiwa, Ghana-born, Manchester-raised contemporary guitarist and composer Rory A. Green, and R&B, Gospel, and Neo Soul fusing singer-songwriter Kiké.
Away from the music, festivalgoers will also be able to catch a visually-striking performance piece from the UK’s leading makers and creators of outdoor arts, theatre, and spectacle in the public realm, Walk the Plank – inspired by the nesting birds found around the waterways of Salford.
Throughout the weekend, local venues will welcome a lineup of Greater Manchester’s best musicians / Credit: Supplied
Craft-based family fun will also be provided by Manchester’s Little Artists, while Swinton’s-own Arts Let Loose will be inviting kids to dance and create to music under UV lights.
Clay and craft workshops for the all the family will come courtesy of Clay Life, and Salford Mad Pride will be in town to promote creativity, arts, nature, and community connection for wellbeing, all while celebrating the unique talents of those who struggle with mental health.
If you’re feeling a bit peckish, Fratellis will be providing the pizza, and local bars, The Wobbly Stool and The Swinton Hop House will be running pop-up bars.
Further refreshments will be served from The Hive community hub.
There’ll also be lots of food and family-friendly entertainment over the three days / Credit: Supplied
“Swinton has plenty to celebrate, and has the potential to be one of the best places to live in Greater Manchester,” commented Councillor Jack Youd, who is the Deputy City Mayor at Salford City Council.
“Local people have told us they want to see a more vibrant Swinton, with more going on and more reasons for people to visit and spend their leisure time in the area, so this exciting weekend of activities is part of a programme of events developed in response to that community ambition, and it’s a great opportunity for people to explore the town and experience something new.”
Swinton Sounds will take over Swinton for three days at the end of this month from Friday 30 May – Sunday 1 June, and all events are free to take part in.
The Liquor Store is putting together the perfect package for Oasis fans heading to Heaton Park
Danny Jones
Manchester bar The Liquor Store is putting together the ultimate pre and post-gig package ahead of the Live ’25 Oasis reunion shows, perfect for anyone heading to Heaton Park for the momentous series of shows.
The brilliant Manc boozer, which borders Blackfriars Street and the edge of Deansgate, has been a popular spot both before and after nearby concerts for years, so it’s no surprise that they’re getting involved with the shows of the century.
With Oasis set to play a whopping five nights at Heaton Park this summer, people are already trying to figure out their plans for the big day(s), with fans flocking from all over the country to see them wherever they could manage to get tickets, especially at this massive outdoor show.
Good job the Liquor lads and ladies have you sorted.
Set to run ‘The Masterplan’ service (very good) for each of Oasis‘ huge hometown shows throughout July, The Liquor Store are making sure gig-goers get to the venue without any trouble and get plenty of time to get in the mood beforehand.
As well as a good old party afterwards, of course.
Offering a comprehensive concert package, complete with coach travel to Heaton Park, not to mention bottomless beer and pizza from 2-3pm when you’re in the bar itself, this music-obsessed bar is set to be the perfect place to fuel and carry on the Britpop party afterwards.
Littered with music memorabilia and images of local bands like the Burnage boys themselves, plus an absolutely unreal playlist of Oasis classics all day and all night, it’s the ideal setting to get you in the mood for the day.
There’ll also be a DJ set from much-loved local Jon Lowe from midday onwards. Oh yeah, and complimentary bucket hats and tambourines for wristband holders should help the good vibes along too.
Better still, even for those not buying ‘The Masterplan’ ticket – which includes the bus to the location and as much suds and scran as you can muster – entry to the venue for the before and after-parties is completely free. After all, it’s still a popular city centre watering hole whether Oasis are in town or not.
As for the coach, the service will depart at 4:30pm and is set to leave Heaton Park around 11:15pm, heading straight back to The Liquor Store, of course.
Ticket holders will be issued with a wristband that will allow them entry onto the coach and access to the bottomless scran and bevs. If you’re not on that bus 10 minutes before they set off, you will be left behind, unfortunately.
With that in mind, tickets are very limited, with less than 50 spots to secure, so if you want to be a part of the ultimate pre-drinks and post-gig party, you’d better act fast.
You can grab yours and find out the full terms and conditions HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
9th December 2020 
