Turnpike Gallery: Ukrainian Photography Reveals the Fragility of Home in War

Ukranian Photography Exhibition at The Turnpike Gallery. A touring exhibition of Ukrainian photographers arrives at The Turnpike presented by the Open Eye Gallery. At the heart of the exhibition are questions about the meaning of home and how we can visualize it. Curated by Max Gorbatsky and Victoria Bavyzina, the exhibition offers unique perspectives on themes such as identity, landscape, experimental art, and folk and … Continue reading Turnpike Gallery: Ukrainian Photography Reveals the Fragility of Home in War

Ladies of Leigh: A Thought-Provoking Play Illuminates the Untold History of Women in Leigh

“The Ladies of Leigh,” written by Julie McKiernan and Corrie Shelley, is a dynamic performance that brings the forgotten history of Leigh’s women to life. Julie, a freelance writer, creative writing tutor, and amateur historian, is known for her work on local history through scripts, essays, and books. Corrie, a talented singer, photographer, and composer of local history folk songs, adds her musical flair to … Continue reading Ladies of Leigh: A Thought-Provoking Play Illuminates the Untold History of Women in Leigh

Review: Beyond the Surface—Journeys from Within Exhibition by Fallen Angels Dance Theatre at The Turnpike Gallery

Launching a major exhibition at The Turnpike Gallery, Beyond the Surface celebrates 10 years of Fallen Angels Dance Theatre’s work in Wigan. Showcasing a range of multimedia artworks—from photography to immersive dance, light, and sound installations—the exhibition explores the healing journeys of individuals in recovery. It aims to highlight not only the healing process but also the human experience behind recovery, addressing its significance as … Continue reading Review: Beyond the Surface—Journeys from Within Exhibition by Fallen Angels Dance Theatre at The Turnpike Gallery

Creativity’s power: The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize at The Turnpike Gallery, Leigh

On Friday, 12th July, The Turnpike Gallery hosted the launch of their new exhibition, the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize. Running from 13th July to 14th September, this prestigious open exhibition is dedicated to drawing in the UK. Known previously as the Jerwood Drawing Prize until 2017, the exhibition was first shown at The Turnpike Gallery that same year. For the 2023 open call, the … Continue reading Creativity’s power: The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize at The Turnpike Gallery, Leigh

Meditative writing: Calligraphy with Let’s Shape Our Creativity and Sammie Lister.

Images courtesy of Let’s Shape Our Creativity As a writer, I had never thought about the visual art related to writing until I attended the “Let’s Shape Our Creativity” workshop with Sammie on calligraphy. This experience allowed me to learn about and engage with this new visual art form. The term “calligraphy” derives from the Greek words for “beauty” (kallos) and “to write” (graphein). I … Continue reading Meditative writing: Calligraphy with Let’s Shape Our Creativity and Sammie Lister.

Creating deep and lasting impressions: The Turnpike Gallery’s Chance Encounter Exhibition

‘Chance Encounter Banner’ by The Turnpike Gallery. On April 20th, I had the pleasure of attending the Turnpike Gallery’s launch of their latest exhibition, “Chance Encounter.” This captivating exhibition features the works of two distinguished artists, Jeanette Orrell and Leonard Green, both hailing from Leigh and boasting impressive international careers. The showcase was lively upon arrival with people gathered to share and celebrate local artists … Continue reading Creating deep and lasting impressions: The Turnpike Gallery’s Chance Encounter Exhibition

Mindful Art: Sip and Splatter Workshop by The Happy Place CIC

I have always fancied attending a workshop that is focused on nurturing creativity as well as mindfulness and with a focus on being present in the moment. In the craziness of everyday life, a moment of self-reflection seems like a luxury. So, when I stumbled across the advertisement on Facebook for the Sip and Splatter workshop I just could not refuse the opportunity to attend. … Continue reading Mindful Art: Sip and Splatter Workshop by The Happy Place CIC

Highlighting Local Stories: Experiences of Creating Place II Exhibition at the Turnpike Gallery

Volunteering at The Turnpike Gallery exposes me to a range of exhibitions throughout the year the gallery showcases. However, this exhibition impacted me differently as it allowed me to feel pride in my local area and discover untold stories. Following on from a community project last summer Creating Place II displays four new exhibits from Julie McKiernan, Corrie Shelley, Nicola Lafonseca, Helen Mather Anna FC … Continue reading Highlighting Local Stories: Experiences of Creating Place II Exhibition at the Turnpike Gallery