Manchester Artists’ Book Fair at Holden Gallery

This year’s Manchester Artists’ Book Fair, an annual fixture on the city’s art scene, spreads out over two days. Organised by Salford printmakers’ studio Hotbed Press, the fair attracts individual artists, zinesters and craft collectives, as well as small printing presses from far and wide – look out for Leeds Surrealist Group, among others, who will be selling Surrealist Editions. Part of this year’s Manchester Weekender, the fair will also showcase an exhibition of works by renowned local woodcut artist Anthony Ratcliffe, alongside a seminar and debate on artists’ books featuring international guest speakers. The event, now in its seventh year, takes over Manchester School of Art’s Holden Gallery, and the university will be displaying artists’ books from its special collections. Manchester Artists’ Book Fair is sure to challenge your conceptions about the possibilities of the book form, and there will be plenty of opportunities to browse and buy as well as marvel. Be sure to take plenty of pocket money!

Fri 12 – Sat 13 Oct, Holden Gallery, Manchester School of Art, Cavendish Street, All Saints, M15 6BR, Tel: 0161 743 3111, Fri 2pm – 7pm, Sat 11am – 5pm, FREE, www.hotbedpress.org