We're sharing the work of CAN Young Artists with visitors to Manchester Art Gallery for a weekend at the end of June
Digital Dreams looks back at the projects of CAN Young Artists during the past three years.
Saturday 28 June
Digital Exhibition, 1pm – 3.30pm
Workshop and Music, 2pm – 3.15pm
Young People’s Tour of the Gallery with curator Kate Day, 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Sunday 29 June
Digital Dreams films, photography and visual art exhibition, 10am – 5pm
CAN Young Artists reflect the rich diversity of Manchester’s communities, including young people new to the city, some of whom have experienced forced migration and some living in emergency accommodation. The group has diverse heritages rooted in countries including Kuwait, Iran, Syria, Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt, as well as the city’s diverse host communities.
For many members of CAN Young Artists, taking part in a project with CAN is often their first opportunity to take part in creative projects and work with professional artists.
Films
Sparks of Freedom, directed by Clive Hunte
Sparks of Freedom was the first project produced after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. Taking place at The Manchester College, the project involved young people who were new to the city and were living in emergency accommodation. The project used drama, writing and spoken word to explore the theme of ‘freedom’ in workshops led by Remi Adefeyisan.
Sparks of Light, directed by Matt Johns
This film was developed from a 2022 project with young people who had never engaged in a creative process before and newly arrived in the UK. The project used movement, visual art, music and songwriting to explore expression, happiness, joy and belonging. The group worked with CAN’s Creative Producer, Michelle Udogu and artists Andy Boothman, Godfrey Pambalipe, Kate Bradnam and Jessica Mallard, who supported the group to build their confidence and learn and grow their skills.
Melody in Motion Animation
CAN Young Artists developed illustrations for an animated film to accompany a performance of original live music, developed with CAN Music Leader Emma Marsh, which was shared at Contact for family and friends in March 2025. Animation artists Sanna Räsänen, Sam Carson, and Jonathan Garvey developed stop-motion animation from young people’s illustrations to create a backdrop for live music. Creative Industries Trafford supported the project through the Cosgrove Hall Films Archive, held at Waterside Arts. Creative Industries Trafford use the archive to support well-being within local communities.
Horizons Collective Illustration and Paintings
In Spring 2025, CAN ran workshops in emergency accommodation for young people, some of whom became CAN Young Artists. A collaboration with the Horizons Collective was born out of this work. The group developed illustrations, paintings and music to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year. The young artists worked with Edane Ng, animator, theatre-maker and pianist and Maria Luc, spoken word artist and pianist, to develop work for the Horizons Collective’s sharing at Lowry. The Horizons Collective is a group of British East and South East Asian artists and practitioners working in the North West.
Voices of the City Photography
The exhibition features 27 photographs taken by acclaimed photographer Shirlaine Forrest, who has photographed leading musicians, including Stormzy. In 2023, she worked with the group to develop their skills in photography. Voices of the City featured moving image from representations of the group’s names, lines from their favourite songs and 2D collage to explore who we are and the things that we love. Parents joined the project, giving Voices of the City a uniquely multi-generational flavour. The group worked with Julia Harris, a drama facilitator and director, to explore physical theatre. Voices of the City was produced by CAN Creative Producer Michelle Udogu. The project featured makeup artistry from The Manchester College’s Makeup Artistry and Special Effects course, who created stunning makeup for the project. The project won The Manchester College Industry Gold Excellence Award, which recognised the college’s and CAN’s unique partnership.
Thank you to BBC Children in Need and The Granada Foundation for their support.
Photographs: Shirlaine Forrest.
CAN is supported by
