Blackpool Artists Shine Bright in Inclusive Art Showcase and Sales Success

In Blackpool, a group of talented artists, some with learning difficulties and some without, are being celebrated for their creative achievements. These artists have been part of a unique program called pARTnership at the Grundy Art Gallery, where they attend weekly workshops led by professional artists. The workshops focus on sharing skills, exchanging ideas, and developing new artwork. Now in its seventh year, the pARTnership program has helped artists exhibit their work not only in Blackpool but also across the country and even internationally. This year, three painters from the program sold their pieces to private collectors at The Manchester Contemporary Art Fair, which is a big step in their creative and professional journeys. Paulette Brien, the curator at Grundy Art Gallery, said that this year’s season is a celebration of the true creativity, passion, and ambition of the artists in the community. She praised the artists for their originality and dedication, saying that their success at the Manchester art fair shows the power of inclusive, artist-led learning and the strength of the local cultural community.

One of the artists, Dawn Ward, is especially excited because she is having her first solo exhibition at the Grundy Forecourt Gallery. Her artwork, called DAWN and TONY, is inspired by her relationship with fellow artist Tony Holmes, who passed away in 2024. Dawn’s art uses the language of romantic love and marriage, and she says that creating her work helps her feel connected to Tony and to all her art. She is proud of her hard work and happy that people will get to see her creations and learn about the pARTnership program, which she loves. Another artist, Stephen Crawford, also had his work sold at the Manchester art fair. Stephen uses a variety of techniques, including drawing, stencilling, collage, and painting, and he often mixes paint with other materials to create bold, textured pieces. His art is colorful and stands out for its unique style.

The pARTnership program is supported by Blackpool Council, and the council leader, Lynn Williams, said that it is a great example of how creativity can bring people together, build confidence, and open doors to new opportunities. She said that seeing Blackpool artists succeed at the Manchester art fair is something the whole town can be proud of, and it highlights the incredible talent in the area. The Grundy Art Gallery’s program, including DAWN and TONY, will run until December 20. Other parts of the program include The Art About Town trail, which features 14 large posters displayed at tram and bus stops, and After the Archive, a multi-disciplinary exhibition at the gallery that includes paintings, collages, videos, installations, photographs, and sculptures from emerging artists in Barrow and Blackpool. The artists use many different methods to create their work, and their pieces are full of color and texture. The program encourages people to get involved and share their own stories and ideas with BBC Lancashire, showing how art can connect people and inspire communities.

Overall, the pARTnership program at Grundy Art Gallery is making a big difference for artists in Blackpool, giving them a chance to learn, grow, and share their work with a wider audience. The program is a celebration of creativity and inclusion, and it shows how art can help people feel proud, confident, and connected to their community.