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september
Come to the cafe and see the new exhibition of work by Saima Kaur.
Saima is a Yorkshire based hand embroidery artist. Her visual language is informed by the imaginative beauty and diversity of Indian folk art.
Her artworks for this exhibition are set in dreamspaces where women dance, play and express their innate power. The works invite the viewer to tap into their childlike imagination and enter places where everything is magical and full of possibilities.
Each artwork is a limited edition print of an original hand embroidery, signed and numbered by the artist.
To discover more about Saima and her work, visit www.saimakaur.com
The cafe is open, Tues - Sun: 9.30am - 3.30pm
Monday - Closed
Please note - the cafe will be closed from 17th August to 2nd September
Saturday 18th July – Sunday 6th September Plenty at the Square Come to the
Come to the cafe and see the new exhibition of work by Saima Kaur.
Saima is a Yorkshire based hand embroidery artist. Her visual language is informed by the imaginative beauty and diversity of Indian folk art.
Her artworks for this exhibition are set in dreamspaces where women dance, play and express their innate power. The works invite the viewer to tap into their childlike imagination and enter places where everything is magical and full of possibilities.
Each artwork is a limited edition print of an original hand embroidery, signed and numbered by the artist.
To discover more about Saima and her work, visit www.saimakaur.com
The cafe is open, Tues – Sun: 9.30am – 3.30pm
Monday – Closed
Please note – the cafe will be closed from 17th August to 2nd September
more
Celebrate Patricia's contributions to our community
Sadly, after nearly 30 years, Patricia is leaving her studio at South Square, Thornton. To celebrate Patricia, her work and her enormous contribution to our community, she will be opening her studio to exhibit and sell her work on Friday and Saturday 4 & 5 of September. Her studio is accessible via the South Square garden.
Patricia Calver is an artist, painter and longstanding South Square volunteer, whose connection with the arts community stretches back to 1987. Initially joining us as a picture framer alongside her own artistic practice, Patricia has been an important and much-loved presence at South Square for almost four decades.
Over the years, Patricia has played a significant role in supporting and encouraging emerging artists through the New Curator Mentorship Programme. She has also curated our monthly gallery exhibitions, helping artists to present and showcase their work to the highest professional standard. She has been a valued member of the Unit 9 artist group and has contributed so much to the creative life of South Square.
We are incredibly grateful to Patricia for her time, friendship, enthusiasm and generosity over the years. Her knowledge, creativity and commitment have become woven into the fabric of South Square, and her presence will be greatly missed.
Please join us in celebrating Patricia, her work and the wonderful contribution she has made to South Square over so many years.
Patricia's Studio, South Square Centre. Fri 4 Sept, 5–8pm and Sat 5 Sept 12–3pm.
Patricia's studio is accessible through the South Square Garden. There is step free access via Priestley Street, however this surface is uneven. If you require any assistance with access please get in touch.
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Join South Square in celebrating the opening of Here, Somehow - the first solo show by Joan Day Bursary Award winner Jenny Bratt, and Patterns & People, a Unit 9 exhibition by Kate Stewart. Our exhibition openings are free, and drinks will be available at our pop-up bar. Visitors are encouraged to explore the works in conversation with the artists, who will be in the gallery.
Here, Somehow is a celebration of the people, places, and quiet moments that shape everyday life in Armley, Leeds. Inspired by the neighbourhood and the people who call it home, Jenny Bratt’s paintings capture domestic scenes with warmth, curiosity, and affection. They are paintings of and for the community they emerge from.
Jenny's work will be shown in the main gallery at South Square.
Kate Stewart's work draws from the similarities between natural shapes found in the world and the body. In Patterns & People, she meditatively draws shapes such as bronchi in the lungs, the patterns of winter trees and aerial photos of river tributaries to explore the 'patterns of the universe', and themes of impermanence.
Kate's work will be shown in the Gallery Upstairs.
Location and access
Both exhibitions will be held at South Square Centre, Thornton Road, BD13 3LS. The centre can be accessed easily via public transport. There is free on street parking around the centre.
A chairlift is accessible to the Community Room.
Contact
Any questions please call South Square on 01274 834737 or email us at [email protected] , we will be happy to help you!
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Drawings, paintings and fabric pieces
About a year ago I came across the phrase ‘patterns of the universe’ that drew attention to the startling similarities between bronchi in the lungs, the patterns of winter trees and aerial photos of river tributaries and I started to draw some of those patterns as accurately as I could. Once I accepted that these drawings might take a long time, which is possible when you are drawing from a photo rather than trying to catch a fleeting scene in plein air, I began to appreciate the meditative quality of drawing; a quality that has been useful during the last few months of my husband’s illness and death. In my practice I draw alongside my textile work, and I have always depicted people, so together with the patterns I started a long series of detailed pencil drawings on fabric of individuals from photos, and am pleased with the resulting transparency and sense of impermanence.
Unit 9 Gallery, South Square Centre. Opening night Friday 4th September 6-9pm
","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled"}
Here, Somehow is the first solo show by Jenny Bratt, the winner of the Joan Day Bursary Award.
Here, Somehow is a celebration of the people, places, and quiet moments that shape everyday life in Armley, Leeds. Inspired by the neighbourhood and the people who call it home, Jenny Bratt's paintings capture domestic scenes with warmth, curiosity, and affection. They are paintings of and for the community they emerge from.
In a place where you can't go down the road without seeing someone you know, connections are woven into daily life. Bratt's work reflects these networks of neighbours, conversations, whispered rumours, and chance encounters, revealing how communities are built through ordinary moments and enduring relationships. Her practice creates space for stories to be exchanged, recognised, and reflected in the quiet experiences that often go unnoticed.
The red-brick streets of Armley become more than a backdrop. They are places where lives unfold, where families make homes, and where the overlooked details of everyday experience become worthy of attention. These are the streets where people live when the polished suburbs are out of reach, yet they are rich with character and resilience.
Bratt's paintings invite us into secret scenes of daily life: fleeting encounters, familiar corners, and small narratives that might otherwise pass unnoticed. They evoke a sense of recognition without ever fully explaining themselves, leaving space for viewers to bring their own memories and experiences. They remind us that belonging is with the people we know, the places we return to, and the everyday moments that somehow become home.
On Saturday 26 September, join us at South Square to meet the artist herself, and South Square's Programme and Gallery Manager, Domino Canton-Oakley. Together, they'll share the story behind the exhibition, from how it came together to the ideas and inspirations behind Jenny's work.
This free drop-in event runs from 12pm–2pm, so come by anytime to take part.
","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled"}
Celebrate Patricia's contributions to our community
Sadly, after nearly 30 years, Patricia is leaving her studio at South Square, Thornton. To celebrate Patricia, her work and her enormous contribution to our community, she will be opening her studio to exhibit and sell her work on Friday and Saturday 4 & 5 of September. Her studio is accessible via the South Square garden.
Patricia Calver is an artist, painter and longstanding South Square volunteer, whose connection with the arts community stretches back to 1987. Initially joining us as a picture framer alongside her own artistic practice, Patricia has been an important and much-loved presence at South Square for almost four decades.
Over the years, Patricia has played a significant role in supporting and encouraging emerging artists through the New Curator Mentorship Programme. She has also curated our monthly gallery exhibitions, helping artists to present and showcase their work to the highest professional standard. She has been a valued member of the Unit 9 artist group and has contributed so much to the creative life of South Square.
We are incredibly grateful to Patricia for her time, friendship, enthusiasm and generosity over the years. Her knowledge, creativity and commitment have become woven into the fabric of South Square, and her presence will be greatly missed.
Please join us in celebrating Patricia, her work and the wonderful contribution she has made to South Square over so many years.
Patricia's Studio, South Square Centre. Fri 4 Sept, 5–8pm and Sat 5 Sept 12–3pm.
Patricia's studio is accessible through the South Square Garden. There is step-free access via Priestley Street, however this surface is uneven. If you require any assistance with access please get in touch.
","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled"}Patti Smith is a fine artist living and working in Burley in Wharfedale. Patti is a former Head of Art, having taught in a north Leeds school for many years. She completed an M.A. in
Fine Art at Leeds Beckett University, Leeds. More recently, Patti has discovered the
fascinating and intuitive properties of clay, focusing her practice on the creation of
wall plaques reimagined as mutated flowers and figures. Patti had the first showing of
her ceramic pieces at the Loading Bay, Bradford last December.
Patti's practice is inspired by family connections rooted in the ex-mining town of
Mansfield, where she grew up surrounded by the heavy trappings of industry.
From this she has been drawn to create surrealistic works that pursue the idea of how
nature may mutate when exposed to environmental pollution. Each piece has its
own narrative which plays out during the making process.
The Elizabethan figures emerged as Patti made a visual link with the flowerlike ruff. She sees this historical period as the launchpad for modern technology, which fundamentally
extracted heavy human cost. The attached skulls, hearts and flowers to symbolise
the weight of technological progress and the human cost embedded within its history.
Central to Patti's creative practice has been her belief in observing beauty, whether it be
found in a flower, an old radio valve set or in an industrial setting. Working with clay
has allowed her to give physical form to her imagination through sculpted forms,
glazes and intricate textures. Patti uses these qualities to harness the narrative within the
material, inviting contemplation through the presence of the clay itself.
As part of the exhibition programme, we are hosting The Art of Eating event. Our friends at Plenty at the Square will be designing a 4-course menu, inspired by Patti's artworks. Find out more and book here.
","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled"}
On Saturday 26 September, join us at South Square to meet the artist Jenny Bratt, at her first solo exhibition, Here, Somehow. Along with South Square's Programme and Gallery Manager, Domino Canton-Oakley, together, they'll share the story behind the exhibition, from how it came together to the ideas and inspirations behind Jenny's work.
This free drop-in event runs from 12pm–2pm. You are free to drop in anytime, but please book a place to help us manage capacity.
Here, Somehow is the first solo show by Jenny Bratt, the winner of the Joan Day Bursary Award.
Here, Somehow is a celebration of the people, places, and quiet moments that shape everyday life in Armley, Leeds. Inspired by the neighbourhood and the people who call it home, Jenny Bratt's paintings capture domestic scenes with warmth, curiosity, and affection. They are paintings of and for the community they emerge from.
In a place where you can't go down the road without seeing someone you know, connections are woven into daily life. Bratt's work reflects these networks of neighbours, conversations, whispered rumours, and chance encounters, revealing how communities are built through ordinary moments and enduring relationships. Her practice creates space for stories to be exchanged, recognised, and reflected in the quiet experiences that often go unnoticed.
The red-brick streets of Armley become more than a backdrop. They are places where lives unfold, where families make homes, and where the overlooked details of everyday experience become worthy of attention. These are the streets where people live when the polished suburbs are out of reach, yet they are rich with character and resilience.
Bratt's paintings invite us into secret scenes of daily life: fleeting encounters, familiar corners, and small narratives that might otherwise pass unnoticed. They evoke a sense of recognition without ever fully explaining themselves, leaving space for viewers to bring their own memories and experiences. They remind us that belonging is with the people we know, the places we return to, and the everyday moments that somehow become home.
","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled"}october
Here, Somehow is the first solo show by Jenny Bratt, the winner of the Joan Day Bursary Award.
Here, Somehow is a celebration of the people, places, and quiet moments that shape everyday life in Armley, Leeds. Inspired by the neighbourhood and the people who call it home, Jenny Bratt's paintings capture domestic scenes with warmth, curiosity, and affection. They are paintings of and for the community they emerge from.
In a place where you can't go down the road without seeing someone you know, connections are woven into daily life. Bratt's work reflects these networks of neighbours, conversations, whispered rumours, and chance encounters, revealing how communities are built through ordinary moments and enduring relationships. Her practice creates space for stories to be exchanged, recognised, and reflected in the quiet experiences that often go unnoticed.
The red-brick streets of Armley become more than a backdrop. They are places where lives unfold, where families make homes, and where the overlooked details of everyday experience become worthy of attention. These are the streets where people live when the polished suburbs are out of reach, yet they are rich with character and resilience.
Bratt's paintings invite us into secret scenes of daily life: fleeting encounters, familiar corners, and small narratives that might otherwise pass unnoticed. They evoke a sense of recognition without ever fully explaining themselves, leaving space for viewers to bring their own memories and experiences. They remind us that belonging is with the people we know, the places we return to, and the everyday moments that somehow become home.
On Saturday 26 September, join us at South Square to meet the artist herself, and South Square's Programme and Gallery Manager, Domino Canton-Oakley. Together, they'll share the story behind the exhibition, from how it came together to the ideas and inspirations behind Jenny's work.
This free drop-in event runs from 12pm–2pm, so come by anytime to take part.
","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled"}Patti Smith is a fine artist living and working in Burley in Wharfedale. Patti is a former Head of Art, having taught in a north Leeds school for many years. She completed an M.A. in
Fine Art at Leeds Beckett University, Leeds. More recently, Patti has discovered the
fascinating and intuitive properties of clay, focusing her practice on the creation of
wall plaques reimagined as mutated flowers and figures. Patti had the first showing of
her ceramic pieces at the Loading Bay, Bradford last December.
Patti's practice is inspired by family connections rooted in the ex-mining town of
Mansfield, where she grew up surrounded by the heavy trappings of industry.
From this she has been drawn to create surrealistic works that pursue the idea of how
nature may mutate when exposed to environmental pollution. Each piece has its
own narrative which plays out during the making process.
The Elizabethan figures emerged as Patti made a visual link with the flowerlike ruff. She sees this historical period as the launchpad for modern technology, which fundamentally
extracted heavy human cost. The attached skulls, hearts and flowers to symbolise
the weight of technological progress and the human cost embedded within its history.
Central to Patti's creative practice has been her belief in observing beauty, whether it be
found in a flower, an old radio valve set or in an industrial setting. Working with clay
has allowed her to give physical form to her imagination through sculpted forms,
glazes and intricate textures. Patti uses these qualities to harness the narrative within the
material, inviting contemplation through the presence of the clay itself.
As part of the exhibition programme, we are hosting The Art of Eating event. Our friends at Plenty at the Square will be designing a 4-course menu, inspired by Patti's artworks. Find out more and book here.
","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled"}Steve is a printmaker & photographer using both digital and film, together with various physical and chemical methods of manipulating and reimagining the images captured. Steve has for some time been interested in phenomena which are inherently fragile or fleeting, and the ways of rendering them more visible and permanent. The work being shown is a snapshot of some of the ways in which he has been approaching these ideas.
Unit 9 Gallery, South Square Centre. Opening night Friday 2nd October 6-9pm
","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled"}03oct01novEphemeral – Exhibition by Steve RaynerDigital and film photography and print exhibition
november
Here, Somehow is the first solo show by Jenny Bratt, the winner of the Joan Day Bursary Award.
Here, Somehow is a celebration of the people, places, and quiet moments that shape everyday life in Armley, Leeds. Inspired by the neighbourhood and the people who call it home, Jenny Bratt's paintings capture domestic scenes with warmth, curiosity, and affection. They are paintings of and for the community they emerge from.
In a place where you can't go down the road without seeing someone you know, connections are woven into daily life. Bratt's work reflects these networks of neighbours, conversations, whispered rumours, and chance encounters, revealing how communities are built through ordinary moments and enduring relationships. Her practice creates space for stories to be exchanged, recognised, and reflected in the quiet experiences that often go unnoticed.
The red-brick streets of Armley become more than a backdrop. They are places where lives unfold, where families make homes, and where the overlooked details of everyday experience become worthy of attention. These are the streets where people live when the polished suburbs are out of reach, yet they are rich with character and resilience.
Bratt's paintings invite us into secret scenes of daily life: fleeting encounters, familiar corners, and small narratives that might otherwise pass unnoticed. They evoke a sense of recognition without ever fully explaining themselves, leaving space for viewers to bring their own memories and experiences. They remind us that belonging is with the people we know, the places we return to, and the everyday moments that somehow become home.
On Saturday 26 September, join us at South Square to meet the artist herself, and South Square's Programme and Gallery Manager, Domino Canton-Oakley. Together, they'll share the story behind the exhibition, from how it came together to the ideas and inspirations behind Jenny's work.
This free drop-in event runs from 12pm–2pm, so come by anytime to take part.
","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled"}Patti Smith is a fine artist living and working in Burley in Wharfedale. Patti is a former Head of Art, having taught in a north Leeds school for many years. She completed an M.A. in
Fine Art at Leeds Beckett University, Leeds. More recently, Patti has discovered the
fascinating and intuitive properties of clay, focusing her practice on the creation of
wall plaques reimagined as mutated flowers and figures. Patti had the first showing of
her ceramic pieces at the Loading Bay, Bradford last December.
Patti's practice is inspired by family connections rooted in the ex-mining town of
Mansfield, where she grew up surrounded by the heavy trappings of industry.
From this she has been drawn to create surrealistic works that pursue the idea of how
nature may mutate when exposed to environmental pollution. Each piece has its
own narrative which plays out during the making process.
The Elizabethan figures emerged as Patti made a visual link with the flowerlike ruff. She sees this historical period as the launchpad for modern technology, which fundamentally
extracted heavy human cost. The attached skulls, hearts and flowers to symbolise
the weight of technological progress and the human cost embedded within its history.
Central to Patti's creative practice has been her belief in observing beauty, whether it be
found in a flower, an old radio valve set or in an industrial setting. Working with clay
has allowed her to give physical form to her imagination through sculpted forms,
glazes and intricate textures. Patti uses these qualities to harness the narrative within the
material, inviting contemplation through the presence of the clay itself.
As part of the exhibition programme, we are hosting The Art of Eating event. Our friends at Plenty at the Square will be designing a 4-course menu, inspired by Patti's artworks. Find out more and book here.
","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled"}Steve is a printmaker & photographer using both digital and film, together with various physical and chemical methods of manipulating and reimagining the images captured. Steve has for some time been interested in phenomena which are inherently fragile or fleeting, and the ways of rendering them more visible and permanent. The work being shown is a snapshot of some of the ways in which he has been approaching these ideas.
Unit 9 Gallery, South Square Centre. Opening night Friday 2nd October 6-9pm
","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled"}03oct01novEphemeral – Exhibition by Steve RaynerDigital and film photography and print exhibition
Vespertine Garden is an ambitious new immersive installation exploring the hidden worlds of urban wildlife and the urgent need to protect the ecosystems we share.
Developed with children and young people in Bradford, the project invites audiences to experience the city’s overlooked nocturnal landscapes through the eyes of the creatures that emerge at dusk. The term vespertine describes species that are active in the evening — including bats, hedgehogs, foxes, owls, moths and nocturnal plants — neighbours whose habitats are increasingly under threat.
Through a series of creative workshops led by Bradford-based artists Amy and Emma-Jo Bairstow, local school pupils have explored biodiversity loss, environmental challenges and practical ways to support wildlife in their own communities. Combining hands-on making with ecological learning, the project encourages a new way of seeing familiar spaces: not simply as places designed for humans, but as shared habitats that require care, attention and stewardship.
The project culminates in a captivating immersive installation at South Square Centre from November 2026 to February 2027. A glowing twilight environment of UV-lit neon sculptural plants and creatures, handcrafted from paper and recycled cardboard, will transform the gallery into a magical landscape where the hidden vespertine world is brought vividly to life. Visitors will journey through this enchanting habitat accompanied by a bespoke soundscape created by local sound artist Fran Bundy, using foraged sounds gathered from the local environment.
Blending artistic innovation, environmental education and local collaboration, Vespertine Garden celebrates the power of art to inspire curiosity, empathy and meaningful change. It offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with the wildlife around us and imagine new ways of caring for the ecosystems on our doorstep.
Opening night
The exhibition will launch on Friday 6 November, and everyone is welcome to join us for opening night. To make sure everyone can enjoy the installation comfortably, we have timed slots available to book. This is for entry into the main gallery and exhibition space, but we have plenty of other communal spaces, cafe and bar that will be open outside of your slotted time.
You’ll then have plenty of time to explore Vespertine Garden, with the final viewing date on Sunday 28 February 2027.
This project was inspired by Neon Garden, presented by Art Works at Barnsley Civic Centre.
","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled"}
december
Vespertine Garden is an ambitious new immersive installation exploring the hidden worlds of urban wildlife and the urgent need to protect the ecosystems we share.
Developed with children and young people in Bradford, the project invites audiences to experience the city’s overlooked nocturnal landscapes through the eyes of the creatures that emerge at dusk. The term vespertine describes species that are active in the evening — including bats, hedgehogs, foxes, owls, moths and nocturnal plants — neighbours whose habitats are increasingly under threat.
Through a series of creative workshops led by Bradford-based artists Amy and Emma-Jo Bairstow, local school pupils have explored biodiversity loss, environmental challenges and practical ways to support wildlife in their own communities. Combining hands-on making with ecological learning, the project encourages a new way of seeing familiar spaces: not simply as places designed for humans, but as shared habitats that require care, attention and stewardship.
The project culminates in a captivating immersive installation at South Square Centre from November 2026 to February 2027. A glowing twilight environment of UV-lit neon sculptural plants and creatures, handcrafted from paper and recycled cardboard, will transform the gallery into a magical landscape where the hidden vespertine world is brought vividly to life. Visitors will journey through this enchanting habitat accompanied by a bespoke soundscape created by local sound artist Fran Bundy, using foraged sounds gathered from the local environment.
Blending artistic innovation, environmental education and local collaboration, Vespertine Garden celebrates the power of art to inspire curiosity, empathy and meaningful change. It offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with the wildlife around us and imagine new ways of caring for the ecosystems on our doorstep.
Opening night
The exhibition will launch on Friday 6 November, and everyone is welcome to join us for opening night. To make sure everyone can enjoy the installation comfortably, we have timed slots available to book. This is for entry into the main gallery and exhibition space, but we have plenty of other communal spaces, cafe and bar that will be open outside of your slotted time.
You’ll then have plenty of time to explore Vespertine Garden, with the final viewing date on Sunday 28 February 2027.
This project was inspired by Neon Garden, presented by Art Works at Barnsley Civic Centre.
","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled"}january
Vespertine Garden is an ambitious new immersive installation exploring the hidden worlds of urban wildlife and the urgent need to protect the ecosystems we share.
Developed with children and young people in Bradford, the project invites audiences to experience the city’s overlooked nocturnal landscapes through the eyes of the creatures that emerge at dusk. The term vespertine describes species that are active in the evening — including bats, hedgehogs, foxes, owls, moths and nocturnal plants — neighbours whose habitats are increasingly under threat.
Through a series of creative workshops led by Bradford-based artists Amy and Emma-Jo Bairstow, local school pupils have explored biodiversity loss, environmental challenges and practical ways to support wildlife in their own communities. Combining hands-on making with ecological learning, the project encourages a new way of seeing familiar spaces: not simply as places designed for humans, but as shared habitats that require care, attention and stewardship.
The project culminates in a captivating immersive installation at South Square Centre from November 2026 to February 2027. A glowing twilight environment of UV-lit neon sculptural plants and creatures, handcrafted from paper and recycled cardboard, will transform the gallery into a magical landscape where the hidden vespertine world is brought vividly to life. Visitors will journey through this enchanting habitat accompanied by a bespoke soundscape created by local sound artist Fran Bundy, using foraged sounds gathered from the local environment.
Blending artistic innovation, environmental education and local collaboration, Vespertine Garden celebrates the power of art to inspire curiosity, empathy and meaningful change. It offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with the wildlife around us and imagine new ways of caring for the ecosystems on our doorstep.
Opening night
The exhibition will launch on Friday 6 November, and everyone is welcome to join us for opening night. To make sure everyone can enjoy the installation comfortably, we have timed slots available to book. This is for entry into the main gallery and exhibition space, but we have plenty of other communal spaces, cafe and bar that will be open outside of your slotted time.
You’ll then have plenty of time to explore Vespertine Garden, with the final viewing date on Sunday 28 February 2027.
This project was inspired by Neon Garden, presented by Art Works at Barnsley Civic Centre.
","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled"}february
Vespertine Garden is an ambitious new immersive installation exploring the hidden worlds of urban wildlife and the urgent need to protect the ecosystems we share.
Developed with children and young people in Bradford, the project invites audiences to experience the city’s overlooked nocturnal landscapes through the eyes of the creatures that emerge at dusk. The term vespertine describes species that are active in the evening — including bats, hedgehogs, foxes, owls, moths and nocturnal plants — neighbours whose habitats are increasingly under threat.
Through a series of creative workshops led by Bradford-based artists Amy and Emma-Jo Bairstow, local school pupils have explored biodiversity loss, environmental challenges and practical ways to support wildlife in their own communities. Combining hands-on making with ecological learning, the project encourages a new way of seeing familiar spaces: not simply as places designed for humans, but as shared habitats that require care, attention and stewardship.
The project culminates in a captivating immersive installation at South Square Centre from November 2026 to February 2027. A glowing twilight environment of UV-lit neon sculptural plants and creatures, handcrafted from paper and recycled cardboard, will transform the gallery into a magical landscape where the hidden vespertine world is brought vividly to life. Visitors will journey through this enchanting habitat accompanied by a bespoke soundscape created by local sound artist Fran Bundy, using foraged sounds gathered from the local environment.
Blending artistic innovation, environmental education and local collaboration, Vespertine Garden celebrates the power of art to inspire curiosity, empathy and meaningful change. It offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with the wildlife around us and imagine new ways of caring for the ecosystems on our doorstep.
Opening night
The exhibition will launch on Friday 6 November, and everyone is welcome to join us for opening night. To make sure everyone can enjoy the installation comfortably, we have timed slots available to book. This is for entry into the main gallery and exhibition space, but we have plenty of other communal spaces, cafe and bar that will be open outside of your slotted time.
You’ll then have plenty of time to explore Vespertine Garden, with the final viewing date on Sunday 28 February 2027.
This project was inspired by Neon Garden, presented by Art Works at Barnsley Civic Centre.
","eventStatus":"https://schema.org/EventScheduled"}
