Completely A Hustling Place at Manchester Central Library

This Autumn, one of Manchester’s leading visual art studios, Venture Arts, which supports learning disabled and neurodivergent artists to play an active role in the cultural sector, is presenting a thrilling full studio show where you can experience new work from 70 artists. A truly multimedia show, Completely A Hustling Place includes photography, ceramics, dreamy audio, textiles, real genies, illustration, the best TV channel ever, superheroes, projection mapping and much more, offering an exciting and immersive showcase of creativity and studio output over the past year.

A massive celebration of creative triumph through times of adversity, Completely A Hustling Place takes its name from a description of the vibrant, buzzing and times overwhelming city of Manchester itself as seen through the eyes of artist, Justin Lees.  Terry Williams’ quiet, haunting pictures taken on disposable cameras during Lockdown are one of many highlights of the show and in total contrast to this feeling. You will also encounter black superheroes brought to life by Leslie Thompson, bright cartoon characters from Jenny Franklin and embroidered bananas by Louise Hewitt, a radical new TV station presented in the video work of Michael Greave, a school desk installation by Caryn Egerton, glorious sunset pictures by Becky Hislop and projections by Amy Ellison. You can experience a unique, projection mapping collaboration by Malik Jama, Raven Keating and Fred Collins, screenings of film and animated work, an interactive sound and ceramic installation by Adam Crichton and Anthony Whitfield and embroidery cluster collaboration including work by Christine Blackburn.

There will be art to take away from the show, available on a first-come, first-served basis including zines, books and superhero images, plus most of the work presented will also be for sale.

Venture Arts Director, Amanda Sutton, comments: “We are incredibly excited to be able to present physical exhibitions again and to bring the work of our artists out of their homes and out of our studio, into such a prominent and important building in the heart of our city. It’s so wonderful to present the work of all of the Venture Arts studio artists in one show right now. For us, and particularly for our artists, the last couple of years have been full of the most immense challenges, and we are so grateful to everyone who has helped us to adapt and continue our crucial work throughout. This show will shine a light on how creative practice has served to overcome so much for so many and most of all, showcase a vast array of wonderful, interesting, exciting and truly individual new work. I would urge you all to go and see it!’