Box on the Docks presents: Art Hall, The New Art Showcase at MediaCity where good food meets great art

Box on the Docks (BOTD) presents the ‘New Art Showcase’, profiling eight local artists in ‘Art Hall’, a temporary covered venue in the heart of MediaCity’s gardens. Alongside the artwork is a mix of independent street food vendors, Seven Bro7hers bar, and the venue will play host to a varied events programme including a range of creative workshops, family activities and live music performances.

The ethos of Box on the Docks has always focused on supporting and nurturing local and independent artists which this new edition of the Art Hall concept complements. Art Hall invites visitors to experience a curated showcase of original artwork featuring eight local artists, open until 9^th March.

Curated by design and art duo, Mikesian Studios, the exhibit showcases some of the boundless creativity found in the local area. Mikesian Studio will also showcase their work – a mix of powerful words, bold colours, and graphic forms, with a focus on bringing bright, inclusive artwork to communal and public spaces. Also, on display is work from:

• Ahmed Mohammed – working in a purely abstract way, in his large-scale works, he uses oil sticks to intuitively create expressive expanses of colour and form. All his work incorporates bold and assertive mark making in a spectrum of colours.
• Alena Ruth – freelance artist based in Manchester, specialising in rug tufting. Sentimental and soft feelings play into her chosen imagery, from long-lost loves to current mental health struggles and lingering emotions from past traumas.
• Fleur Yearsley – the recipient of the Gwen John Scholarship in 2017, her work ‘To The Moon and Back’ was part of the John Moore Painting Prize 2020 at the Walker Art Galler.
• Joe O’Donnell – based in Manchester for almost ten years, Joe’s work focuses on animals and nature depicted in his signature wobbly style that has been compared to stitching patterns and pixel art.
• John Cake – using traditional and digital techniques, Cake makes multi-layered, wild style mind map paintings and sculptures.
• Mariel Osborn – her glitter tassel canopies and backdrops are made from hundreds and thousands of hand tied strands with colours picked and blended to evoke different moods and feelings. The green and pink overhead streamers in the Art Hall are energetic and spring like.
• Tara Collette – working with predominately textiles and glass, Collette specialises in creating banners with bold, provocative commentary on social issues. Humour and absurdness are laced throughout her work, adding playfulness and irreverence wherever possible.

Alongside the display, Art Hall will also play host to a range of art, creative and wellbeing events.

To kick off the new season, Box on the Docks presents ‘PAL-entines’ at the Art Hall on Thursday 16^th February from 5pm, with entertainment from 6pm – 10pm. The free event will be a celebration of friendship with a showcase of the best of Salford’s local creative talent. BBC Radio Manchester’s David Scott a.k.a. Argh Kid will play host whilst visitors can enjoy music from BBC Introducing’s artists Roesh and Prido, as well as comedic poetry from poet, Jenny Berry, with other artists soon to be announced.

Visitors will also be able to screen print their own tote bags with artist, Sally Gilford.

Other events taking place at Art Hall are:

Weekly Crafting Events & Live Music (all free of charge)

An after-school club hosted by Born To Be Wild Child. This is a free event where children can colour giant murals and get creative with a new craft weekly from 4pm-6pm, followed by live music from 6pm-8pm. Please see the weekly artist schedule below.

Every Thursday from the 26^th January, 4pm-8pm.

• 26^th January – ‘Late Last Night’ (@latelastnightmusic)
• 2^nd February – ‘Lisa T’ (@lisatofficial01)
• 9^th February – ‘Nefeli’ (@Nefelikouroumusic)
• 23^rd February – TBC
• 2^nd March – ‘Kick Back Sunday’ (@kickbacksundayuk)

Monthly Games Night Social

A collaboration between Good Time Games and Box on the Docks. There will be a range of board games to play suiting all levels of player, staff on hand to guide you through the rules and beer on tap.

1^st February and 1^st March, 6pm-8pm.

Free event, tickets available via Eventbrite: Art Hall Board Games Social Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Pop-Up Painting

A sip & paint event at Box on the Docks themed around Annie Dalton’s Monet VS Street Art mash up. Unleash your creativity – wine glass in one hand, paint brush in the other. No experience needed and all art supplies are provided.

3^rd February, 7pm-9:30pm.

£32.99, tickets available via Eventbrite: Paint Monet Street Art Mash Up! Salford Tickets, Fri, Feb 3, 2023 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite

Dried Flower Bouquet Workshop with Hannah Elizabeth Flowers

Get together with your pals and create something lovely for the home. Hannah will supply all the materials to create your very own dried flower arrangement in a stylish vase. To help the creative juices flow, a specially created & complimentary cocktail will be on offer. Alcohol-free alternatives available on request. Banish those winter blooms and treat yourself.

10^th February, 6pm-8pm.

£40, tickets available here: Book Workshops | Hannah Elizabeth Flo (hannahelizabethflowers.com)

Valentine’s Beer and Dessert Pairing

In collaboration with A Few Scoops, four wonderful desserts will be paired expertly with beers from local brewery Seven Bro7hers. Learn about the brewing process and discover new favourite flavours.

14^th February, 6-8pm.

£16, tickets available via Eventbrite: Dessert and Beer Pairing Tickets, Tue, Feb 14, 2023 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite

Overdrawn Art Pop-Up

An interactive art takeover designed to get people drawing. Organised and ran by artists, the aim is for everyone to draw and connect with their inner artist. All materials are provided, just bring your creativity.

15^th February, 6pm-8pm.

Free event, tickets available via Eventbrite: OverDrawn Art x ArtHall Tickets, Wed, Feb 15, 2023 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite

Beer and Dessert Pairing

In collaboration with A Few Scoops, four wonderful desserts will be paired expertly with beers from local brewery Seven Bro7hers. Learn about the brewing process and discover new favourite flavours.

18^th February, 2pm-4pm,

£16, tickets available via Eventbrite: Dessert and Beer Pairing Tickets, Sat, Feb 18, 2023 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite

Quiz Night Hosted by Charlie

Join Charlie (@hostedbycharlie) for a fantastic pub quiz with music, games, and nonsense prizes as well as a £50 bar tab for the winners.

21^st February, 6pm-8pm.

£1 per person, pay on the night.

Overdrawn Art Pop-Up – Overdrawn illustration battle!

An interactive takeover organised and ran by artists, all materials are provided, just bring your creativity. There will be pound portraits and tables fully wrapped in paper ready for you to doodle on, plus an Illustration Showdown where the audience can draw in 3-minute battles for the chance to win some amazing prizes.

26^th February, 2pm-6pm.

Free event, reserve your space via Eventbrite:  OverDrawn Art x ArtHall Tickets, Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite

Kids World Book Day Event

A celebration of all thing literacy. Bring the kids down in their World Book Day costume for a mini disco, costume competition (with prizes), crafting and plenty of fun games! Keeping with the World Book Day theme of ‘you are a reader’, there will be a chill out library area and a place to swap any unwanted books for new unread treasures.  We will also be collecting children’s books to donate to a local charity, because reading is for everyone.

5^th March, 1pm-3pm.

Free event, tickets not required. Book donations welcome.

Alongside the wealth of events and art on display, visitors can continue to enjoy:

• Salford brew institution, Seven Bro7hers serving up its award winning independent and classic craft beers. A gin pop up bar by Four Sisters will also be on offer during the Pal-entines event on the 16^th
• Chapati Cafédelivering their delicious, home-cooked Gujarati-influenced food, and daily changing menu of ‘rice and three’ curries.
• The Tasty Greekserving up their classics including authentic gyros and their legendary halloumi fries.
• Beigeloffering their locally sourced pastries, and sweet treats, alongside their freshly made bagels such as salt beef, ‘the mozza’ or a classic BLT.
• A Few Scoopswill be in in their pink hut serving delicious ice creams and refreshing frozen drinks.

Open every day from 8am – 10pm until 9^th March, Box on the Docks presents Art Hall is located in the MediaCity gardens (by the Plaza). The area will transform into Box on the Docks Live for the summer season with an exciting summer events programme.

For more information, visit: Art Hall – Media City UK

To learn more about the artists, visit: Art Hall Artists Booklet