Didsbury Summer Open - Freya's story

After seeing a post on Instagram asking for volunteers, I reached out to the DAF team
and was warmly welcomed into the curatorial process. From the beginning, I felt trusted
and encouraged. Working alongside my Master's colleague and friend Eleanor, we co-
curated Gallery 3, a space that brought together work by Didsbury Good Neighbours
alongside a diverse selection of pieces from Manchester-based artists. Each work held its
own kind of magic, and the room quickly began to feel like a vibrant conversation
between artists. We decided to embrace that energy and aim for a room filled with
whimsical wonder. We spent the day hanging, rearranging, and carefully considering how
the works spoke to one another, what conversations they were having, and how to make
the space feel as cohesive as it was eclectic.

The experience taught me how instinct and collaboration go hand in hand when curating.
Under the thoughtful guidance of artist and curator Nancy Collantine, I learned to trust
my eye, make bold choices, and have the confidence to offer my suggestions. I also had
the chance to observe Nancy at work on the curation of Galleries 1 and 2, asking
questions and offering my opinion whenever I felt confident enough! This gave me
valuable insight into how to create flow across a multi-room exhibition and understand
the broader strategy and hard work behind it all.

Later, when I returned to the Parsonage to invigilate the Open, I got to experience the
other side of the work: watching how visitors moved through the space, listening to their
responses, and chatting with them about which pieces stood out and why. It was
especially lovely to witness visitors purchasing artworks; the joy of those exchanges was
palpable, and it was heartening to know that Manchester-based artists, both established
and emerging, were receiving recognition and support for their work. It was a full-circle
moment, and a clear reminder of why I want to work in the arts: to help create spaces for
connection, curiosity, and conversation. I'm grateful for every visitor I spoke with; those
conversations truly made my day. Each time I invigilated, I left with a quiet sense of
achievement and joy.

Volunteering with DAF came at a transitional point for me. I was in the final months of
my Art Gallery and Museum Studies Master's degree, mostly tucked away in the library
writing my dissertation and trying to make sense of what came next. After five years of
academic study, DAF gave me something rare—something I hadn't encountered in either
my academic or professional life up to that point: the chance to contribute meaningfully
to a real project. It allowed me to put all those hours of learning into practice, by
physically doing, not just reading. And all of that took place in an environment where
collaboration and learning were genuinely valued.

What stood out most was how welcoming and supportive everyone was, from Sam and
Hannah, who brought the whole festival together, to Nancy's generosity in mentoring us
through the curatorial process. I didn't just feel useful; I felt part of something. Festivals
like DAF matter because they bring people together across ages, backgrounds, and
experiences and place the arts at the heart of community life. To play even a small role in
that is something I'll always value and carry with me.

Since volunteering, I've been offered a full-time position in the arts, starting this
September, and during my interview, I found myself reflecting on the meaningful and
joyful experience I had with DAF. I'm incredibly grateful to the team for creating a space
that allowed me to grow, take creative risks, and contribute in a way that truly mattered. I
hope to be involved in future editions of the festival, bringing with me even more
experience, confidence, and enthusiasm for this wonderful community and the work it

makes possible. 

Freya Lomas