Manifest Arts Festival returns to the North West bigger and brighter than before. With five days of exploratory art across Manchester, Salford and now Bolton, there is plenty to creativity on offer. Don’t miss the launch at the New Adelphi Gallery (Wed 5 Jul, 5pm – 8pm, FREE) – meanwhile here is our pick of the best of Manifest.

1. Back to the Charity Shop

Axel Bottenberg takes toys and figurines sourced from local charity shops and hacks them, turning them into art. This exhibition (Thu 6 – Sun 9 Jul, Children’s Society Shop Window, 9am – 5pm exc Thu 8pm, FREE) returns the pop-art reconstructions to their original retail home.

2. The Gallery & Python Space, St George’s House

Manifest Art expands into Bolton for the first time this year. Photographer John Bentley, the St George’s House artist-in-residence, presents over 200 images of Bolton faces (Thu 6 – Sat 8 Jul, Thu 6pm – 8pm, Fri 9am – 5pm, Sat 10am – 2pm, FREE) in an ambitious new project that can be seen throughout the gallery and beyond.

3. Suite @ The Horsfall

Salford artist collective Suite Studio Group takes over the Horsfall for the newly-renovated venue’s first ever group art show (Fri 7 – Sun 9 Jul, 12pm – 5pm, FREE). The diverse exhibition takes some of its cues from young adult’s mental health. There will be a preview on Thu 6 Jul at 6pm.

4. Manifestea

Artist Mike Chavez-Dawson has cooked up a hot mix of organic herbs for a special festival tea available at venues throughout the Manchester Craft and Design Centre (Sat 8 July 10am – 5pm, Sun 9 Jul 12pm – 4pm). He will be in situ as people sample the creatively-designed tea, which comes with a commemorative postcard.

5. Manifest Calling Home

Want a real life screenshot of the art scene? Manifest Calling Home (Sun 9 Jul, HOME, 2pm – 4pm, FREE) features quick-fire presentations from plethora of artists and arts organisers showing contemporary visual art across North West. Limited places available, so booking is recommended.

Wed 5 – Sun 9 Jul, various venues and times, mostly FREE, www.manifestartsfestival.com

Wed 5 Jul - Sun 9 Jul
Words:
Fat Roland
Published on:
Tue 4 Jul 2017