Art – in the Heart – of West Didsbury…

Amanda McCrann - Queenston Arthouse, Didsbury

Laura Mayall is a West Didsbury resident. Before Christmas, she opened up her house and created the Queenston Arthouse Gallery. We were really lucky enough to go along and be part of the event – see our blog from the event.

And now Laura is doing it all again, over the summer. Her exhibition programme kicked off on Thurdsay 9th June with a preview evening for Amanda McCrann, Didsbury based mosaic artist. We love Amanda’s work – she has previously exhibited at Didsbury Life, and created our beautiful signage above our door. She also worked with us as last year’s WestFest, creating the community created West Didsbury mosiac, now mounted on the gable end wall of Folk on Burton Road. She’ll be working with us again this September, creating a CavFest mosaic. So, we were super excited to go along and see her selection of new – and some more familiar – mosaics, mounted in-situ :

Guess which is "our" favourite new mosaic?

Amanda McCrann Mosaics - Queenston Arthouse, West Didsbury

Amanda was joined on the evening by her partner, Mike Garry, who performed some of his amazing poetry. He captivated both adults and children alike – even having voluntary audience participation when he performed “Always Eat Your Greens” – and his signature poem, “God is a Manc” was met with fairly rapturous applause.

"God Is A Manc" by Amanda McCrann

Amanda & Tallulah listening to Mike's poetry - Queenston Arthouse

Mike Garry performing at Amanda McCrann's Preview - Queenston Arthouse

A captivated audience at Queenston Arthouse

Mancunian, Amanda McCrann, Queenston Arthouse, West Didsbury

God Is A DJ - Amanda McCrann, Queenston Arthouse, West Didsbury

Amanda McCrann, Queenston Arthouse, West Didsbury

However, it’s not just the art that you can expect to see at Queenston Arthouse – Saturday afternoon saw local West Didsbury carver, Andy Burgess (who’ll be having his own exhibition later in the summer), producing an owl from a tree stump. Armed only with a chainsaw (!), Andy set about turning a stump into this beautiful carving…

Andy Burgess, West Didsbury Wood Carver

Andy Burgess, West Didsbury Wood Carver

West Didsbury Owl

Amanda’s works will be exhibited until Sunday 19th June – you can view her works at the following times Saturday 11th June – 11.00am – 7.00pm, Sunday 12th June – 11.00am – 7.00pm, Saturday 18th June – 11.00am – 7.00pm and Sunday 19th June – 11.00am – 7.00pm.

Also exhibiting during the summer will be Andy Burgess, Ghislaine Howard and Danny Cawley – and Yappy Days. More information to follow on Didsbury Life re subsequent exhibitions.