Visual Art at DAF26

Creativity flourishes amidst the greenery of South Manchester as DAF26 presents an art trail through some of the neighborhood's most intimate spaces.

This year’s highlights include films and talks at the studio home of renowned local artist, Cecile Elstein who passed away in 2025; a vibrant house and garden showcase featuring a unique partnership between painter, Mary Walsh and sculptor, Louise Rahman; and a bustling garden studio with resident artist, Niki Black.

For DAF26, we are proudly "bringing the Open into the open" by partnering with local businesses to transplant the traditional art gallery experience directly into the heart of Didsbury village. Throughout the festival, the Summer Open will be woven into the fabric of the community, appearing across a variety of public venues.

This curated trail invites visitors to encounter exceptional works by Greater Manchester artists in fresh, unexpected contexts - moving art into everyday spaces, blurring the boundaries between high culture and daily life, and making the enjoyment of art and accessible, immersive experience for everyone.

We are thrilled to launch a brand-new festival event: the first-ever DAF Plein Air. On Sunday, Jun 28th, we invite artists of all levels to step outdoors and capture the spirit of Didsbury.

This timed event starts at 10am with participant registration and ends at 5pm with completed works being delivered to the organisers at Didsbury Baptist Church on School Lane.

These submissions will then form a pop-up public exhibition and prize giving that same evening. Full information packs and registration for the Plein Air are available on the DAF website.

Sun 28 June: 11:00 - 13:00, Tues 30 June: 14:00 - 18:00

25 SPATH ROAD, M20 2QT

Cecile Elstein (1938-2025) was a sculptor, printmaker, fine artist and environmental artist known for her open studio talks and co-founding and leading the Didsbury Drawing group. The Cecile Elstein Studio (CES) now develops artists' curatorial resources and promotes artists, generously awarding DAF’s new CES Artist’s Prize.

The studio director Maureen Kendal, artist, author and producer at Dreamstudio.io, and curating team will present two tours with talks/screenings for DAF:

SUNDAY 28 JUNE: Tour plus Mark Javin (sculpture), Maureen Kendal (catalogue raisonée), Hannah Kane (on soundscapes and announcing the CES composer’s competition).

TUESDAY 30 JUNE: Tour plus Molly Goulding (printmaking), Mark Javin (art as environment), Maureen Kendal (art studio practice).

Garden & Exhibition: 13:00 - 18:00, Workshops: 29-30 June & 1 July: 10:00 - 12:00

MOOR COTTAGE, GRANGE LANE, M20 6RW

Seeing the Trees is an exhibition/artist residency in a beautiful garden, exploring the visible and invisible in the trees, plants and surroundings. Artist Niki Black will be present, painting directly from life, and demonstrating the processes involved.

Niki will also host three garden themed art workshops for small groups.

Mon - Fri: 13:00 - 17:00, Sat - Sun: 11:00 - 17:00

666 WILMSLOW ROAD, M20 2DN

Within a peaceful garden setting Louise Rahman is showing stone & ceramic sculptures and Mary Walsh her colourful abstract paintings responding to Nature, especially trees.

There are also hand-made cards by Liz Patrick, plants and home-made cakes & cold drinks available.