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Didsbury Summer Open - Elle's story
While finishing my Master's, I had the chance to co-curate Gallery 3 at the Didsbury Parsonage Trust as part of the Didsbury Summer Open. It arrived at the perfect moment and was an opportunity to engage in thoughtful, collaborative work grounded in both artistic practice and community.
Working alongside Freya Lomas, our guiding idea was liminality: that delicate space between states, the in-between that invites curiosity and openness. This theme shaped the decisions we made. We carefully considered how artworks might converse across the room, how colours could ripple from one corner to another, and the rhythm of the exhibition.
The first works we installed were from Didsbury Good Neighbours, a local project supporting older residents through creative workshops. Their pieces brought a unique warmth to the space that was expressive and full of life. As we installed the other artworks by Manchester artists, both emerging and established, everything seemed to settle naturally around them.
The installation process was a hands-on experience. We spent hours stepping back, moving pieces, and refining the arrangement until the room felt right. It was a form of attentive listening to the space itself, trusting instinct alongside thoughtful reflection. On the preview night, I had the chance to support painting sales, speak with visitors, and contribute to fundraising efforts.
One of the most meaningful parts of this experience was the trust extended to us. Nancy Collantine offered thoughtful guidance and created space for us to follow our instincts and grow as emerging curators. That generosity of trust and mentorship is rare and invaluable in the arts. It gave me confidence to make decisions and to approach the work with care and clarity.
Beyond curation, this opportunity confirmed my desire to work where art and community meet. It sharpened my understanding of the kind of environments I want to be part of, ones that are collaborative, supportive, and grounded in thoughtful engagement. It's a foundation I plan to build on as I move forward in my career.
Working alongside Freya Lomas, our guiding idea was liminality: that delicate space between states, the in-between that invites curiosity and openness. This theme shaped the decisions we made. We carefully considered how artworks might converse across the room, how colours could ripple from one corner to another, and the rhythm of the exhibition.
The first works we installed were from Didsbury Good Neighbours, a local project supporting older residents through creative workshops. Their pieces brought a unique warmth to the space that was expressive and full of life. As we installed the other artworks by Manchester artists, both emerging and established, everything seemed to settle naturally around them.
The installation process was a hands-on experience. We spent hours stepping back, moving pieces, and refining the arrangement until the room felt right. It was a form of attentive listening to the space itself, trusting instinct alongside thoughtful reflection. On the preview night, I had the chance to support painting sales, speak with visitors, and contribute to fundraising efforts.
One of the most meaningful parts of this experience was the trust extended to us. Nancy Collantine offered thoughtful guidance and created space for us to follow our instincts and grow as emerging curators. That generosity of trust and mentorship is rare and invaluable in the arts. It gave me confidence to make decisions and to approach the work with care and clarity.
Beyond curation, this opportunity confirmed my desire to work where art and community meet. It sharpened my understanding of the kind of environments I want to be part of, ones that are collaborative, supportive, and grounded in thoughtful engagement. It's a foundation I plan to build on as I move forward in my career.
I am deeply grateful to Nancy, Freya, and the wider Didsbury Arts Festival team including Samantha Crowe, Hannah Mahapatra, and everyone behind the scenes who helped bring this exhibition to life. Their dedication and support made the project possible. I'm proud of what we created together, and I look forward to carrying this experience with me as I continue to develop my practice.
Elle Wood Bowyer
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