Find out more about the fantastic contributors to this years Celebrate Connections!
(To be continued…more coming soon!!)
Mandy Cleveland is a fine artist working in print and fine drawing, her current project is working with preloved papers www.backoftheenvelope.co.uk, she has been working with Salford University and Hotbed Press creating artwork relating to the Covid Pandemic to add to their art collections.
An important part of her role is working with the community as an artist running Curious Crafty CIC Workshops with various organisations aiming to provide a creative experience that enriches lives and gives a sense of wellbeing for the human beings taking part! Having lots of fun times sharing inspiration and supporting families with themed activities that aid learning and link to the wider environment.
Working with Manchester libraries and LGBT Proud2bParents during lockdown Mandy has delivered online workshops and together with Proud2bParents has delivered over 150 Postal Boredom Buster craft packs to children and families.
www.curiouscrafty.co.uk. www.proud2bparents.co.uk
Mandy has workshops coming up with Whalley Range Forum online Paper Plate flowers, Whalley Rangers – after school club, LGBT Proud2bParents and Manchester Libraries for Libraries Festival and Summer reading schemes.
Paper Plate flowers & Can you spot the Caterpillar?
With a commemorative quote from Eric Carle “like the caterpillar you will grow up, unfold your wings and fly into the future” Eric Carle 1929 – 2021
The Paper plate flowers represent nature that has been our saviour and the paper plates represent the community sharing of meals and the parties we will have in the future!
Alexandra Levene is an illustrator and a mother, a southerner living in the north. Her work celebrates what it is to be human in all its fragile, intricate and powerful forms.
Working mostly with pencil, fine liners and pops of digital colour @draw_from_this centres on faces, hands, words and hope. She makes prints and cards and more recently window art.
Alexandra has a studio space @OTcreativespace in Old Trafford
Follow her on Instagram @draw_from_this
My name is Charlotte McAlees and I am a window painter and sign writer, I have worked as a professional face and body artist for the past 9 years but have recently been unable to work in my usual profession due to the pandemic. This is why I started up Charlie Chalks as a way of carrying on work during these times, window painting has enabled me to continue to make a living doing what I love most, being creative!
My Facebook page for Charlie Chalks is
And my Facebook page for my face and body art is
Alison Greyer: Festival house art and creative Zoom sessions.
I have a degree in textile design and a mission in life to create patterns that are original, fresh, different and bold. I make items that bring colour and spark joy. Find out more about Alison at her website:
www.printsandpress.co.uk
Shanali Perera is a contemporary artist, educator, author, activist and retired clinician with a background in Rheumatology, living with Vasculitis. She is Whalley Range based and works across the intersections of art, health, medical education and patient support.
Barney Ibbotson is a freelance illustrator and graphic artist from Manchester. Inspired by such topics as architecture, technology and history, his simplistic concepts take form as complex and intricate works with fun and imagination at the heart of each piece. He uses hand-drawn and digital techniques in his work, which ranges from mural design to album art and animation. Barney has over 20 years’ experience, in which time he has worked for such clients as BBC, Penguin, Electronic Arts, and The University of Manchester.
Shelli Le Fay facilitated two music banner design workshops that will be used
for the pop up music venues.
JMEDZYNZ CELEBRATE CONNECTIONS GRAFFITI WORKSHOP with Jamie Rennie – working with the young people at the JNR8 Whiz project
Story Scouts created an activity for children to participate in Celebrate Connections!
‘Whalley Range Wanderers – With an adult, find a street you’ve never
visited before, write about it and maybe draw a picture- then choose
a house on that street to post a letter to the person who lives there.
Check with JNR8 to see if you’ve received a reply…’
Chorlton Arts Festival (11-19th September 2021) kindly donated 50 copies of their amazing Mandala colouring book to include in our art packs!
Look out for more details here Chorlton Arts Festival
