A fascinating exploration of the past, present and future of Bradford’s radical art scene.

Opening Night : Fri 10th October | 6pm – 9pm | South Square
Last date to view : Sun 1st February

South Square presents ‘OUR TURN: Our Past, Present and Future’. This exhibition explores the past of South Square and the history of the arts industry in Bradford, and how grassroots, DIY arts organisations led to the opening of the centre. 

It looks into our present – why and how we are organising OUR TURN: Bradford’s first Visual Arts Festival. And we look to the future, showing artworks of emerging Bradford based artists. 

This exhibition is a way for us to reflect on where we have come from, who inspired and helped grow the arts industry in Bradford, how the grass roots visual arts industry grew in Thornton, how that led to the opening of South Square, how we’ve grown as a centre and what we achieve today, and we look to the future, championing the next generation of artists and hopefully inspiring them to continue to develop the local arts scene. 

Artists featured include, Eve Wright, Kennedy Drake, Martha Madden and Zoe Maxwell

The exhibition will also feature new work from a current art student from Bradford College. They will respond to the exhibition, take inspiration from the artwork and the history, and create a new piece that will join the exhibition in January.

This exhibition is part of OUR TURN – OUR TURN expects to be bold, experimental and authentically Bradford. 

OUR TURN takes place between 26th September – 28th January 2026 in venues and unusual spaces across the city. This festival will enable artists to be more ambitious, provide training for a new generation of culture makers and inspire a range of people to be excited by art which is ‘Made IN Bradford’. The festival will celebrate Bradford’s rich counter cultural scene and create an accessible platform which will reach new art goers in Bradford, underserved communities and loyal arts audiences.

The South Square team aims to include in this festival a series of events, commissions, learning opportunities, exhibitions, workshops and more, all across the Bradford district. By working closely with artists in and from Bradford, OUR TURN will be shaped and led by the artists themselves.

Plenty at the Square
Running: 1 November – 1 February 2026

This Printmaking showcase displays the OUR TURN Print Collection alongside other local printmakers, demonstrating the variety in printmaking in Bradford and different approaches to the medium.

The Print Collection:
Honouring Bradford’s Print heritage, six prints form the Bradford Print Collection, a set of commissions that represent the vibrant printmaking sector in Bradford are on display in the Cafe throughout the OUR TURN festival.

The printmakers featured in the collection are Fizah Afzal, Laura Alice, Harriet Cash, Sarah Harris, Laura Slater and Ken Woods.

Fizah Afzal‘s print, Kashmir Bloom draws on the history of South Asian migration
and its contribution to the textile industry. The red colour palette and ‘Paisley’ pattern isfeatured on shawls made in the Kashmir region. Fizah Afzal creates linocut prints that
are inspired by floral and botanical art.

Laura Alice‘s print is inspired by Emily Bronte and her pet merlin, Nero, created through papercutting and hand-written type. Laura Alice is a printmaker who takes inspiration from the surrounding landscape and birdlife; interpreting through layers of bright colours, abstract shapes, typography and mark making.

Harriet Cash‘s print in the collection was inspired by the Bradford LGBTQ+ Archive, ‘Bradford Gay’ c1980s invites you to consider how you feel, personally and politically.  A letterpress printmaker, Harriet Cash makes playful pieces which have fun with type, and centre the printed word as a tool for connection – to ourselves, others, the past and the future.

Sarah Harris‘ print, A View to Manningham and Lister Mills, was inspired by Bradford’s many viewpoints, being the UK’s highest city. These views are often overlooked, however they speak of our city geographically, socially, and tell the story of our industrial heritage. Shipley-based Sarah Harris creates limited edition landscape screen prints of her home county of Yorkshire and beyond.

Laura Slaters‘ print Social Fabric celebrates the breadth of Bradford’s communities through the inherent presence of textile narratives, colour, pattern, texture and materials. Laura Slater is a textile designer and printmaker. Her practice is occupied with the engagement we have with pattern and its ability to connect us to objects and environments.

Ken Woods was inspired by Twill weave, Bradford Twill is a bold abstract print encoding ‘BFD’ in Morse-translated sequences of the stylised weave structure. Colours evoke moorland, soot-darkened mills, and industrial wealth. Ken Wood’s Pochoir-based practice merges digital design with traditional craft to create vibrant, geometric prints.

In addition to the OUR TURN: Print collection, on display in Plenty at The Square you can find a range of prints from Ben Holden, Lauren Marshall and Charlie Taylor.

Bradford based artist & designer Ben Holden is renowned for his bold, bright and vibrant abstract works; composing form, collage, photography, mark-making, line & colour, experimenting with mixed media; intuitively informed by the subjects he is studying. The bold aesthetic of a varied CMYK palette (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) are often used in his work linking to his print heritage, creating punchy palettes and expressive marks for dynamic work, contrasting elements to ignite emotional connections, light, joy and playfulness — which he feels we need more of in a dark world.

Lauren Marshall is a watercolour and digital artist who brings birds, houseplants, and other natural elements to life through vibrant, expressive illustrations. Inspired by the shapes, textures, and colours found in nature, her work blends joyful detail with a bright, playful palette. 

Blending her background in textile design with a variety of artistic techniques, Charlie Taylor creates eclectic, one of a kind designs for both fashion and the home. Her work bursts with bold colours and striking motifs, inspired not only by her worldwide travels, from the tiles of Morocco to the tables of Italy and beyond but also by the beauty of everyday moments, from a morning coffee to a shared meal. Celebrating both the extraordinary and the familiar, Charlie’s prints are rich with vibrant foods, cocktails, and textural patterns that capture life’s pleasures in vivid detail.

Exhibition of work by NEET, celebrating the beauty of making, for the sheer joy of it
In the Community Room

Running: 14th November – 1st February 2026

Launch event – Thursday 20th Nov, 10:30am – 1:30pm

‘In Full Colour’ celebrates the joyful, deeply human creativity of the NEET artists who make art with heart, freedom, & spontaneity.

Through vibrant drawings, 3D makings & playful explorations inspired by fruit, vegetables & everyday life. The exhibition showcases over 30 works that capture the beauty of making for the sheer joy of it.

This is art that delights in the moment. It’s bold, heartfelt, & wonderfully unfiltered. NEET & South Square invite you to come & experience the colour, joy, and pure expression of these talented & playful artists.

Artist duo, Latterhand, turn gallery into art lab for this evolving exhibition.

• Running: 13 January – 28 February 2026
• The Gallery Upstairs  

Join artists and musicians, Phil Moody and Ian Tothill (also known as Latterhand), for a dynamic, interactive and evolving exhibition.

Latterhand have devised a new audio-visual work ‘Pathways’ which explores the ways in which we make and use paths for different purposes. The work will be installed in the Gallery Upstairs alongside artworks created by the duo over the course of their residency. Expect soundscapes with field recordings, violin and piano, films of urban and rural paths and much more.

You’ll have the rare opportunity to see works in progress and materials are provided for you to make your own responses to the work – taking this show down new and exciting paths.

A fascinating exploration of the past, present and future of Bradford’s radical art scene.

Opening Night : Fri 10th October | 6pm – 9pm | South Square
Last date to view : Sun 1st February

South Square presents ‘OUR TURN: Our Past, Present and Future’. This exhibition explores the past of South Square and the history of the arts industry in Bradford, and how grassroots, DIY arts organisations led to the opening of the centre. 

It looks into our present – why and how we are organising OUR TURN: Bradford’s first Visual Arts Festival. And we look to the future, showing artworks of emerging Bradford based artists. 

This exhibition is a way for us to reflect on where we have come from, who inspired and helped grow the arts industry in Bradford, how the grass roots visual arts industry grew in Thornton, how that led to the opening of South Square, how we’ve grown as a centre and what we achieve today, and we look to the future, championing the next generation of artists and hopefully inspiring them to continue to develop the local arts scene. 

Artists featured include, Eve Wright, Kennedy Drake, Martha Madden and Zoe Maxwell

The exhibition will also feature new work from a current art student from Bradford College. They will respond to the exhibition, take inspiration from the artwork and the history, and create a new piece that will join the exhibition in January.

This exhibition is part of OUR TURN – OUR TURN expects to be bold, experimental and authentically Bradford. 

OUR TURN takes place between 26th September – 28th January 2026 in venues and unusual spaces across the city. This festival will enable artists to be more ambitious, provide training for a new generation of culture makers and inspire a range of people to be excited by art which is ‘Made IN Bradford’. The festival will celebrate Bradford’s rich counter cultural scene and create an accessible platform which will reach new art goers in Bradford, underserved communities and loyal arts audiences.

The South Square team aims to include in this festival a series of events, commissions, learning opportunities, exhibitions, workshops and more, all across the Bradford district. By working closely with artists in and from Bradford, OUR TURN will be shaped and led by the artists themselves.

Plenty at the Square
Running: 1 November – 1 February 2026

This Printmaking showcase displays the OUR TURN Print Collection alongside other local printmakers, demonstrating the variety in printmaking in Bradford and different approaches to the medium.

The Print Collection:
Honouring Bradford’s Print heritage, six prints form the Bradford Print Collection, a set of commissions that represent the vibrant printmaking sector in Bradford are on display in the Cafe throughout the OUR TURN festival.

The printmakers featured in the collection are Fizah Afzal, Laura Alice, Harriet Cash, Sarah Harris, Laura Slater and Ken Woods.

Fizah Afzal‘s print, Kashmir Bloom draws on the history of South Asian migration
and its contribution to the textile industry. The red colour palette and ‘Paisley’ pattern isfeatured on shawls made in the Kashmir region. Fizah Afzal creates linocut prints that
are inspired by floral and botanical art.

Laura Alice‘s print is inspired by Emily Bronte and her pet merlin, Nero, created through papercutting and hand-written type. Laura Alice is a printmaker who takes inspiration from the surrounding landscape and birdlife; interpreting through layers of bright colours, abstract shapes, typography and mark making.

Harriet Cash‘s print in the collection was inspired by the Bradford LGBTQ+ Archive, ‘Bradford Gay’ c1980s invites you to consider how you feel, personally and politically.  A letterpress printmaker, Harriet Cash makes playful pieces which have fun with type, and centre the printed word as a tool for connection – to ourselves, others, the past and the future.

Sarah Harris‘ print, A View to Manningham and Lister Mills, was inspired by Bradford’s many viewpoints, being the UK’s highest city. These views are often overlooked, however they speak of our city geographically, socially, and tell the story of our industrial heritage. Shipley-based Sarah Harris creates limited edition landscape screen prints of her home county of Yorkshire and beyond.

Laura Slaters‘ print Social Fabric celebrates the breadth of Bradford’s communities through the inherent presence of textile narratives, colour, pattern, texture and materials. Laura Slater is a textile designer and printmaker. Her practice is occupied with the engagement we have with pattern and its ability to connect us to objects and environments.

Ken Woods was inspired by Twill weave, Bradford Twill is a bold abstract print encoding ‘BFD’ in Morse-translated sequences of the stylised weave structure. Colours evoke moorland, soot-darkened mills, and industrial wealth. Ken Wood’s Pochoir-based practice merges digital design with traditional craft to create vibrant, geometric prints.

In addition to the OUR TURN: Print collection, on display in Plenty at The Square you can find a range of prints from Ben Holden, Lauren Marshall and Charlie Taylor.

Bradford based artist & designer Ben Holden is renowned for his bold, bright and vibrant abstract works; composing form, collage, photography, mark-making, line & colour, experimenting with mixed media; intuitively informed by the subjects he is studying. The bold aesthetic of a varied CMYK palette (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) are often used in his work linking to his print heritage, creating punchy palettes and expressive marks for dynamic work, contrasting elements to ignite emotional connections, light, joy and playfulness — which he feels we need more of in a dark world.

Lauren Marshall is a watercolour and digital artist who brings birds, houseplants, and other natural elements to life through vibrant, expressive illustrations. Inspired by the shapes, textures, and colours found in nature, her work blends joyful detail with a bright, playful palette. 

Blending her background in textile design with a variety of artistic techniques, Charlie Taylor creates eclectic, one of a kind designs for both fashion and the home. Her work bursts with bold colours and striking motifs, inspired not only by her worldwide travels, from the tiles of Morocco to the tables of Italy and beyond but also by the beauty of everyday moments, from a morning coffee to a shared meal. Celebrating both the extraordinary and the familiar, Charlie’s prints are rich with vibrant foods, cocktails, and textural patterns that capture life’s pleasures in vivid detail.

Exhibition of work by NEET, celebrating the beauty of making, for the sheer joy of it
In the Community Room

Running: 14th November – 1st February 2026

Launch event – Thursday 20th Nov, 10:30am – 1:30pm

‘In Full Colour’ celebrates the joyful, deeply human creativity of the NEET artists who make art with heart, freedom, & spontaneity.

Through vibrant drawings, 3D makings & playful explorations inspired by fruit, vegetables & everyday life. The exhibition showcases over 30 works that capture the beauty of making for the sheer joy of it.

This is art that delights in the moment. It’s bold, heartfelt, & wonderfully unfiltered. NEET & South Square invite you to come & experience the colour, joy, and pure expression of these talented & playful artists.

Artist duo, Latterhand, turn gallery into art lab for this evolving exhibition.

• Running: 13 January – 28 February 2026
• The Gallery Upstairs  

Join artists and musicians, Phil Moody and Ian Tothill (also known as Latterhand), for a dynamic, interactive and evolving exhibition.

Latterhand have devised a new audio-visual work ‘Pathways’ which explores the ways in which we make and use paths for different purposes. The work will be installed in the Gallery Upstairs alongside artworks created by the duo over the course of their residency. Expect soundscapes with field recordings, violin and piano, films of urban and rural paths and much more.

You’ll have the rare opportunity to see works in progress and materials are provided for you to make your own responses to the work – taking this show down new and exciting paths.

Plenty at the Square
Running: 6 February – 29 March 2026

An exhibition of enigmatic paintings, by Murniah Skinner, inspired by local landscapes and layered experiences.

Growing up and living in Yorkshire, the landscape of her childhood continues to shape her work, carrying both memory and a deep, spiritual connection to the land. Each painting is rooted in Murniah’s experience of walking through this terrain – translating sensations and atmosphere into colour and form.

She works intuitively, allowing the flow of colour to guide the process. Her paintings become a meeting point between the outer landscape and her inner one – a reflection of how she experiences and responds to the world around us. Layers of memory and shifting impressions gathered over time inform each work, capturing the evolving relationship between place, feeling and spirit. Through colour and form, Murniah hopes to foster a connection with viewers, inviting them to feel, reflect and engage with these places in their own way.

We invite you to Sowing Connections, a co-created community exhibition celebrating the work of the Rasi // Twine Women’s Group in Bradford. 

Opening : Fri 6th February
Last date to view : Sun 5th April

Join us to view ‘Sowing Connections’, a collaborative exhibition with the ESOL group. The group brings together South Asian women seeking confidence, connection, and creative community. Through 2025 the group explored painting, clay, collage, calligraphy, and embroidery with local artists Claire Wellesley-Smith and Razwan Ul-Haq. Their conversations opened reflections on heritage, identity, and migration, rekindling traditions once set aside after moving to England. Featuring textiles, paintings and photography, the exhibition celebrates their skills, stories, and the vibrant connections they continue to weave.

Thanks to our partners Lower Grange Community Centre and Bradford Arts Centre, and our funders DCMS Cultural Development Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Thursday 12th February
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Still life drawing is back at South Square!

Join us in looking closely, slowing down and coming together to draw in our Cezanne inspired still life with cloth drawing workshop on 12th February 6 – 8pm.

Responding to Cezanne’s still life paintings, you will be drawing a variety of cloth and still life objects from observation, thinking about perspective, shape and form.

This workshop is led by artist Zoe Maxwell, who will guide you through different techniques and approaches to sketching from observation. Suitable for beginners or experts alike, as this workshop will give you time to practice your skills or if you are just starting out come along to find a bit of mindfulness. All materials are provided, from easel to paper, however if you would like to use your own materials you are more than welcome to.

The workshop is 2 hours long, starting with short and experimental sketches, using a range of materials, gradually growing to longer sketches that build on the techniques developed throughout the session

Book your tickets via Eventbrite HERE

Saturday 14th – Sunday 15th February
11:00am – 3:00 pm

Unit 9 Artist, John Allcock will be having a picture frame sale in the Community Room on Saturday 14th February and Sunday 15th February, 11:00am – 3:00pm each day.

There will be a large selection of picture frames on sale, in good condition and suitable for prints, watercolours and canvases. In a move to a new house John is reviewing 30 years of artwork, so come along and browse the collection!

Thursday 19th 2026, 10:30am – 1pm

FREE Kids Craft Drop-In invites you to come and play and get crafty!

We will set up a craft table full of paper, pencils, scissors, glue, cardboard, strings and more, all for you to build, make and create, and let your imagination run wild!

This is a great way for kids to take some time to play and make. And for the adults? Want a coffee whilst the kids are crafting? No problem! You can grab a cake and coffee from the onsite cafe, Plenty at the Square, which you can have served in the Community Room.

All materials are free. Suitable for all ages.

South Square is a charity, so a suggested donation of £3 helps us continue to offer free events and workshops like this.

We’ll be running two sessions, Thursday and Saturday during half term. Feel free to join both!

Please note – a guardian / adult should be with the children at all times.

Book your free ticket on Eventbrite.

Saturday 21st February 2026, 10:30am – 1pm

FREE Kids Craft Drop-In invites you to come and play and get crafty!

We will set up a craft table full of paper, pencils, scissors, glue, cardboard, strings and more, all for you to build, make and create, and let your imagination run wild!

This is a great way for kids to take some time to play and make. And for the adults? Want a coffee whilst the kids are crafting? No problem! You can grab a cake and coffee from the onsite cafe, Plenty at the Square, which you can have served in the Community Room.

All materials are free. Suitable for all ages.

South Square is a charity, so a suggested donation of £3 helps us continue to offer free events and workshops like this.

We’ll be running two sessions, Thursday and Saturday during half term. Feel free to join both!

Please note – a guardian / adult should be with the children at all times.

Book your free place on Eventbrite.

Plenty at the Square
Running: 6 February – 29 March 2026

An exhibition of enigmatic paintings, by Murniah Skinner, inspired by local landscapes and layered experiences.

Growing up and living in Yorkshire, the landscape of her childhood continues to shape her work, carrying both memory and a deep, spiritual connection to the land. Each painting is rooted in Murniah’s experience of walking through this terrain – translating sensations and atmosphere into colour and form.

She works intuitively, allowing the flow of colour to guide the process. Her paintings become a meeting point between the outer landscape and her inner one – a reflection of how she experiences and responds to the world around us. Layers of memory and shifting impressions gathered over time inform each work, capturing the evolving relationship between place, feeling and spirit. Through colour and form, Murniah hopes to foster a connection with viewers, inviting them to feel, reflect and engage with these places in their own way.

We invite you to Sowing Connections, a co-created community exhibition celebrating the work of the Rasi // Twine Women’s Group in Bradford. 

Opening : Fri 6th February
Last date to view : Sun 5th April

Join us to view ‘Sowing Connections’, a collaborative exhibition with the ESOL group. The group brings together South Asian women seeking confidence, connection, and creative community. Through 2025 the group explored painting, clay, collage, calligraphy, and embroidery with local artists Claire Wellesley-Smith and Razwan Ul-Haq. Their conversations opened reflections on heritage, identity, and migration, rekindling traditions once set aside after moving to England. Featuring textiles, paintings and photography, the exhibition celebrates their skills, stories, and the vibrant connections they continue to weave.

Thanks to our partners Lower Grange Community Centre and Bradford Arts Centre, and our funders DCMS Cultural Development Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Artist Jennie Crawford presents her solo exhibition.

• Running: Friday 6 March to Sunday 29 March 2026
• The Gallery Upstairs  

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made

Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee

And live alone in the bee-loud glade…

                             (The Lake Isle of Innisfree, W.B Yeats 1888)

Proceeds from any sales will go to Cancer Research UK

Join artist Murniah Skinner and the team from Plenty at the Square, in this Food and Art event where paintings inspire a set menu.

Join us in a group dining experience like no other!

At ‘The Art of Eating’, you will experience a 4-course meal which is inspired by the paintings in the exhibition by artist Murniah Skinner, which will be on display in Plenty at the Square.

Not only will you have a chance to see the work, you will ‘eat’ the work too. The cafe team have taken inspiration from the paintings to create a bespoke vegan/vegetarian meal. They’ll be links to the colours, the themes, and the shapes of the paintings, which you will see reflected on your plate.

You will also hear directly from the artist who will talk about her paintings, her inspirations and her exhibition as a whole, alongside the Curator and Programme Manager of South Square also.

This will be a night full of paintings, food, conversation and music.

Book your tickets now for ‘The Art of Eating.’

Please note – the set menu will be vegetarian and vegan.

Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements.

Please note – the set menu will be vegetarian and vegan. The images shown are for promotional use only.

TICKETS – please read:

The cost of the evening is £55 per person. This covers your 4 course meal and one free cocktails (alcoholic and non alcoholic options)

A non-refundable deposit of £10 per person is required to confirm your booking, and the remaining £45 will be taken on the night on arrival.

Any additional drinks will be paid to the cafe directly.

About the artist:

Growing up and living in Yorkshire, the landscape of Murniah’s childhood continues to shape her work, carrying both memory and a deep, spiritual connection to the land. Each painting is rooted in her experience of walking through this terrain – translating sensations and atmosphere into colour and form.

Murniah works intuitively, allowing the flow of colour to guide the process. Her paintings become a meeting point between the outer landscape and her inner one – a reflection of how she experiences and responds to the world around her. Layers of memory and shifting impressions gathered over time inform each work, capturing the evolving relationship between place, feeling and spirit.

Location and access:

The centre can be accessed easily via public transport. There is free on street parking around the centre. There is an on-site vegetarian café, Plenty, where refreshments and lunch can be purchased.

Contact

Any questions please call South Square on 01274 834737 or email us at [email protected] , we will be happy to help you!

Saturday 14th March
10:30am – 3:00pm

Join us in this workshop where artist Rosie McAndrew will guide you through embroidery processes and techniques.

Choose from a selection of tote bags Rosie has dyed naturally using avocado, tumeric and other natural products to create beautiful shades. Once you have your tote bags Rosie will guide you through different embroidery techniques to personalise your tote bag which you can take home with you at the end of the day.

All materials will be provided, all abilities are welcome.

Come along and practice new skills amongst likeminded people.

This workshop is in the Community Room at South Square Centre and will last 4 hours, starting at 10:30am, finishing at 3pm with a 30 minute break for lunch.

Book your tickets via Eventbrite HERE or to avoid additional fees book in person in the gallery.

We invite you to Sowing Connections, a co-created community exhibition celebrating the work of the Rasi // Twine Women’s Group in Bradford. 

Opening : Fri 6th February
Last date to view : Sun 5th April

Join us to view ‘Sowing Connections’, a collaborative exhibition with the ESOL group. The group brings together South Asian women seeking confidence, connection, and creative community. Through 2025 the group explored painting, clay, collage, calligraphy, and embroidery with local artists Claire Wellesley-Smith and Razwan Ul-Haq. Their conversations opened reflections on heritage, identity, and migration, rekindling traditions once set aside after moving to England. Featuring textiles, paintings and photography, the exhibition celebrates their skills, stories, and the vibrant connections they continue to weave.

Thanks to our partners Lower Grange Community Centre and Bradford Arts Centre, and our funders DCMS Cultural Development Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.