Artists of the Future exhibition unveiled at Therme Manchester outdoor gallery

Therme Manchester has officially unveiled its Artists of the Future outdoor gallery, showcasing a vibrant collection of artworks created by young people from schools and community organisations across Salford and Trafford.

The gallery launch brought together artists, teachers, community representatives, creative partners and supporters to celebrate the next generation of artistic talent, with the outdoor gallery providing a prominent public platform for the selected works.

The initiative forms part of Therme Manchester's ongoing commitment to supporting local communities, championing creativity and creating opportunities for young artists to showcase their work to new audiences.

Artists of the Future has been developed in partnership with Gorse Hill Studios, the Trafford-based creative youth arts charity, which has worked with schools and youth organisations across Salford and Trafford, including Barton Clough Primary School and St Monica's Primary School in Trafford, alongside Holy Cross & All Saints RC Primary School, Lewis Street Primary School, Beech Street Community Primary School, St Gilbert's Primary School, Westwood Park Community Primary School and Arbour Academy Secondary School in Salford. Arts Let Loose CIC, the accessible community-led creative space in Swinton, also participated in the project.

The young artists whose work is displayed in the outdoor gallery are: Elif, Zeynep, Levi, Yusuf, Mason, Maddison, Willow, Ariaanaz, Cayden, Alaina, Nell, Jessica, Hayden, Bobby, Lochlann, Farrah, Harry, Lottie, Abdulmalik, Georgia, Piranith and Esom. Their artwork - exploring the theme of wellbeing, nature and community - was selected by a distinguished judging panel comprising renowned street artist AKSE-P19, contemporary artist Helena Worthington and Roksanna Ciurysek-Gedir of Therme Group. 

Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Sports and Leisure at Salford City Council said:

“Salford is a city that prides itself on championing our local cultural sector and our commitment to ensuring our children and young people are given opportunities to thrive. So bringing these two priorities together in this way has created a really special initiative. It’s such a fulfilling moment to see the work of these young artists given this unique platform to share their creativity.”

Rob Creber, Head of Social Value and Partnerships UK at Therme Manchester, said: 

"We are proud to provide a platform for these young artists and to celebrate the talent that exists within our local communities. The outdoor gallery will allow thousands of people to engage with inspiring artwork while helping to create a lasting cultural legacy for the project. Artists of the Future demonstrates Therme's commitment to ensuring that creativity and culture are embedded in Therme Manchester from the very beginning."

Katie Mason, Inclusion and Disability Co-ordinator at Gorse Hill Studios said:

"Artists of the Future has given young people a fantastic opportunity to see their creativity recognised and celebrated in a public setting. The quality of the work submitted was exceptional and reflects the imagination, talent and ambition of young people across Trafford and Salford. We're proud to have partnered with Therme Manchester and Therme Art to create an exhibition that gives these young artists the visibility and recognition they deserve." 

Councillor Eve Parker, Trafford Council's Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture and Heritage said:

"This artwork will be a lovely, vibrant sight to see for anyone passing the development in progress and we're delighted to see the creative talent, enthusiasm and commitment that our schools and their students have brought to this challenge. This ties in with the Council's wider work to nurture, celebrate and showcase creativity to the benefit of all who live, work and visit the borough."

The gallery reflects the wider ambitions of Therme Art, the cultural arm of Therme Group, which works internationally with artists, institutions and communities to explore the relationship between art, wellbeing and social connection.

Visitors can now experience the newly unveiled works as part of Therme Manchester's ongoing programme of community engagement, cultural activity and creative collaboration.

The Artists of the Future exhibition is located at the Therme Manchester outdoor gallery surrounding the perimeter of the Therme Manchester site at Trafford City.