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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.”
ADVERTISEMENT
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”.
ADVERTISEMENT
___
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
A massive board game festival, with more than 700 games to choose from, is returning to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
It’s happening again – the Manchester Board Game Festival is back in town for the weekend, with more games than you could ever imagine.
Manchester-based table tops events company, Dungeons & Flagons, proudly own one of the UK’s largest board game libraries, boasting an incredible collection of more than 700 board games – and luckily for us, they’re running yet another festival this August.
Across the three-day festival there will also be a selection of bookable sessions including RPGs, tournaments, seminars, playtests and interactive experiences, in addition to live entertainment, giant games and lots of other fun-filled activities.
In the Demo Zone, publishers including Hachette Board Games UK and Mindclash Games will share new titles, while the Playtest Tables allow attendees to trial upcoming games and provide feedback.
There will be an interactive performance of “Into The Autumn Realm,” hosted by Edinburgh Fringe favourite Ed Jollyboat, alongside a range of charity fundraising activities such as a pub quiz, bingo and tombola, with some amazing prizes.
While the Geek Fayre marketplace will be home to a whole host of independent stalls selling board games, dice, artwork, accessories and all kinds of gifts to treat yourself or that gamer in your life.
A massive board game festival, with more than 700 games to choose from, is returning to Manchester
The festival aims to unite hundreds of game-lovers, whether you make it a day trip with friends or you come solo, Dungeons & Flagons pride themselves on their inclusive and accessible atmosphere, designed to accommodate players of all abilities with approachable volunteers on site, Library Bees teaching games, demonstrations and plenty of beginner-friendly sessions helping newcomers feel right at home.
What’s more, this August, Dungeons & Flagons are introducing Solo Gamers Meet Ups, which are sessions split into light, medium and heavy strategy groups, purposefully designed to connect solo attendees and allow players to get stuck straight into a game. So fear not – if your mates aren’t as into it as you, there will be plenty of other gamers to play with.
James Oxley, organiser of Manchester Board Game Festival, shared “The summer festival is always one of my favourites. We tend to welcome lots of people travelling from further afield during the holidays, so it’s always great to see plenty of new faces alongside our regular community. The Manchester Conference Centre is a brilliant venue for the summer too, with its aircon & outdoor courtyard giving us the chance to bring along our giant games and make the most of the sunshine. We want people to feel welcome and leave having discovered something new.”
No matter whether you’re brand new to board gaming or you’re a seasoned professional, head on down to Manchester Conference Centre at Pendulum Hotel and join in on this weekend of fun.
Festival Dates and Times:
Friday 28 Aug: 3am – Midnight
Saturday 29 Aug: 10am – Midnight
Sunday 30 Aug: 10am – 8pm
Both weekend or day tickets are available to buy HERE.
Manchester announces its first-ever Pride Fringe event with community celebrations all over the city
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is getting ready for a city-wide Pride celebration this month.
Of course, we all know Manchester Village Pride will be returning for 2026 over the August bank holiday weekend, but aside from the official festivities around the Village, an extensive new Pride Fringe event has been announced – with a programme featuring everything from a film festival and shopping events, to live performances, family-friendly celebrations, and more.
Alongside comedy, club nights, exhibitions, and walking tours, venues across Manchester will also come together for a month-long celebration.
You can expect an exciting mix of LGBTQIA+ arts, culture, live entertainment, family events, food, drink and shopping experiences, giving visitors even more reasons to make a weekend – or even a week – of it.
Many of these events will be raising vital funds for local LGBT charities, and on top of that, the city’s hotels will also be joining in the celebrations with dedicated Pride packages, parties, free gifts, and discounts this month.
Manchester has announced its first-ever Pride Fringe event with community celebrations all over the city / Credit: Jason Lock Photography (Supplied)
Pride Fringe will be led by the return of the week-long SCENE Festival.
Back for its third year and kicking off from Thursday 20 August, SCENE will be bringing together some of the biggest names in TV, film, and queer culture for eight days of screenings, panels, live comedy, parties and premieres across 10 Manchester venues – and this year, it’s the festival’s most star-studded programme to date.
Some of the other highlights on the programme include a selection of Pride-themed walking tours and guided trails.
At the forefront of this is a a guided walking tour led by local playwright and tour guide, Chris Hoyle of What’s The Story?, exploring the stories that have shaped Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community.
From Victorian drag balls and the birth of Canal Street, to the Campaign for Homosexual Equality and the city’s iconic Pride Parade, the tour uncovers the people, places, and moments that have helped make Manchester one of the world’s leading LGBTQ+ cities.
Manchester Arndale and Afflecks will also be hosting their own Pride-themed shopping events and workshops, while Aviva Studios, The Refuge, Freight Island, Kampus, and Fairfield Social Club are among the dozen independent venues throwing their own parties.
Families can also head to places like Manchester Central Library and Great Northern Warehouse for storytimes, craft sessions, entertainment, and other child-friendly events.
Emily Sergeant -
9th December 2020 
