Exciting news is on the horizon for Manchester's creative community! HappeningInMCR has joined forces with Afflecks to introduce a captivating new venture: a community micro gallery situated within our vibrant Tib Street entrance.

Drawing inspiration from Afflecks' commitment to supporting local creatives and enterprises, the micro gallery will serve as a dynamic platform to spotlight the astonishing talent thriving within Greater Manchester. 

But what is HappeningInMCR? Founded by Nasha Cash, HappeningInMCR is a visual arts information hub operating primarily on Instagram under the handle @HappeningInMCR. Together with co-founder Jasmine Gardner, the duo are dedicated to sharing everything artsy, spanning from exhibitions and job openings to a wide array of opportunities: “We want to make Manchester a more happening place for art by giving artists access to information, resources, opportunities, channels to promote themselves and a community to connect with both artists and businesses”. 

With a promise of fresh inspiration every few months, the space will transform with each new wave of local artists, ensuring a constant stream of creativity and collaboration. Curious to see who's taking the spotlight this time? Take a look at who is being featured in the first installation: 

Adam Bailey
He/Him 
@heshty_illustration 

“I wanted to explore the theme of inclusion with my outcome, which is what I think is at the very core of skateboarding and I think shares a common ground with the LGBT+ community. Skateboarding and its community has always been something I have always felt accepted by and I feel a sense of belonging with, and this is something that should be the case with LGBT+ individuals. 

My idea is to illustrate 12 different skateboarders in one scene, each representing the different groups of the LGBT+ community, using individual representative flags for colour scheme in my designs' environment and my characters clothing.”

Beeve 
They/Them 
@_beeve_

“I’ve grown up with Afflecks being a centre point to my queer upbringing. I went on some of my first dates here when being sixteen, shy and queer anywhere else felt overwhelmingly scary. Afflecks has been a safe haven for queer and alt people for as long as I can remember and I’m honoured to have my own silly queer art now on display here!”

Beth Dawson
She/Her 
@bethdawsonillustration

“A lot of my work takes inspiration from vintage aesthetics of the 90s and early 2000s and is inspired by my nightlife and countercultural movements. All of which can be found within Afflecks’ eclectic stores. Embracing your own uniqueness and having fun are also key themes within my work, something that I feel is also at the heart of Afflecks and the creative Northern Quarter area around it.”

Care Blanchard 
She/Her 
@cateblanchardart

“As a lesbian artist living in Manchester, Afflecks holds a special meaning for me - it’s always the place you end up having a wander with a mate and it feels like creativity and individuality blend inside.  

It’s a unique space that lets me openly express myself as an artist whether it’s through hair (great gender neutral barbers) or one-of-a-kind clothing pieces, my identity always feels welcomed and valued. 

With this piece I wanted to celebrate my trans friends and let them know I love them, and that me and Afflecks are here for them.” 

Chloe Harris 
She/Her 
@chloeharrisprint 

“My printwork takes a conventional cityscape scene and expresses the excitement and discovery that’s felt when you're living in a city. In the same way Afflecks invites people into such a creative and curious place, these cityscapes I hope create a slightly strange and exciting image. Afflecks is so appealing for creatives, and I’d love to become more connected with the Manchester art community though somewhere such as Afflecks.”

Ellen Falcucci-Lear 
She/Her 
@eflstudio

“Ellen Falcucci-Lear’s paintings reveal psychedelic landscapes depicting utopian societies. The artist aims to create a sensory approach to her work, calling on emotive colours and depictions of feelings to encourage a visceral response in the viewer. 

Using circular framing adds to the inviting nature of the works, the soft edges better blur the line between our reality and the painting; an imitation wormhole to another dimension. 

The nature of these works fit right into the vendors and spirit of Afflecks. Embracing the alternative and celebrating our individuality.”

Kate Partington 
She/Her 
@katepartingtonart

“I am a Manchester based artist and designer. My artistic practice is based on collage and an exploration of this medium both traditionally though cut and paste and digitally. I often aim to entwine both the analogue and the digital within my work. The various themes my work explore change from time to time but broadly I'm always very concerned with the human condition. This current series explores a sense of mental deterioration under stresses of the modern day. 

My work has always tried to capture feelings that I cannot verbally express, communicating through art is something I believe my practice has in common with Afflecks ethos. Afflecks is a hub that fosters creativity and finds space to explore ways of communicating visually by supporting artists. Afflecks as a historic venue has hosted so many small independent artists, being able to display my work here early in my career has been an incredible opportunity.”

Nasha Cash 
They/She 
@nashacashart 

“Afflecks is the first place in which I ever began selling my work back when I decided that all I wanted to do in the world was make art. It’s a special place full of creatives and weirdos all of which adds to its great allure leading artists like myself to throng like cockroaches round a fallen kin, as its beautiful doors. 

This piece titled “Like Rabbits” attempts to capture the romantic tension between the two leporine lovers as a steamy anime kiss takes place on the screen behind them.”

Radhika Parekh
She/Her 
@radhika8art

“Graduating with a Fine Art and Art History Bachelor's degree from Manchester School of Art, Radhika is an artist who practises predominantly with acrylic and watercolour. Using sensitive mark-making, layers and contrasting colours, she is inspired by her environment and how she can reflect her own experiences through artwork.”

Rubes 
She/Her 
@diy.rubes

“I am a multi-disciplinary artist who spends my time between Crewe and Manchester. I experiment with abstract art and feel inspired by nature, architecture, people and music. A blank canvas can be intimidating, so my method for painting and illustrating is to start with a swirl and let the ideas stem from there, rather than having a set plan or structure. 

For me this painting signifies the flow of life; everything can seem chaotic in the moment, but when we sit back and look at the bigger picture, everything is connected and in sync. Somebody else may perceive this painting completely differently. This fits into the realm of Afflecks as there is something for everyone to take from observing this work. There is no right or wrong, and it’s easy to get lost in.”

The first exhibition is now on display at our Tib Street Entrance. If you would like the chance to feature your own work then stay connected by following @HappeningInMCR on Instagram for the latest updates and opportunities.