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 CAN Young Artists projects from 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, open to the public, 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 who were unaccompanied young people. 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, filmed and 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, filmed and 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 were newly arrived in the UK. The project used movement, visual art, music and song writing 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 the group’s illustrations. Creative Industries Trafford supported the project through the Cosgrove Hall Films Archive, which is 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 for young people living in emergency accommodation to explore childhood and visual arts. A collaboration with the Horizons Collective was born from 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. Aida Hassanzandeh, a CAN young artist developed her own illustrations which was included in the Horizons Collective sharing. Aida explored her Iranian roots and the celebration of Nowruz.
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 35 photographs taken by the acclaimed photographer Shirlaine Forrest, who has photographed leading musicians including Stormzy.
The CAN Young Artists group worked with drama facilitator and director, Julia Wilson, who led exploratory workshops to build participants’ confidence and help them express their identities, which prepared them for photographic sessions. Voices of the City features moving images from representations of the group’s names, lines from their favourite songs and 2D collage that explores who we are and the things we love. Parents also joined in with the project, providing a uniquely multi-generational flavour.
The project also features stunning make-up artistry from The Manchester College’s Makeup Artistry and Special Effects course. The CAN’s Young Artist partnership with the student employability programme at The Manchester College was an exciting opportunity for the course’s students to be involved.
This project was part of a unique partnership between CAN and The Manchester College, which won The Manchester College Industry Gold Excellence Award. The project was produced by CAN Creative Producer Michelle Udogu.
Thank you to BBC Children in Need and The Granada Foundation for their support.
Photographs: Shirlaine Forrest.
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