I’m beyond excited to announce the upcoming Illuminate Festival 2025 , a celebration of light, creativity, and community! After a successful run over the past years, the Illuminate Light Night returns to Oldham for its eighth year, bringing together local, national, and international light artists to create a truly magical experience. This year’s theme, "Illuminating the Everyday" , will shine a light on the ordinary moments and objects that often go unnoticed but hold incredible beauty when explored through the lens of art and light. Save the Dates! Saturday, 22 February 2025 : Illuminate Light Night Free, across Oldham Town Centre, Gallery Oldham, and Oldham Library Sunday, 23 February 2025 : ‘Into the Future’ at Northern Roots Urban Farm and Eco Park This year, Illuminate  promises to be an unforgettable journey through Oldham’s townscape, filled with incredible installations, interactive exhibitions, and performances. Whether you’re a longtime fan of light art or new to the festival, there’s something for everyone! What to Expect The festival kicks off on Saturday, 22 February  with Illuminate Light Night, featuring a stunning display of light installations and performances inspired by our everyday lives. As night falls, explore the glowing streets of Oldham, where art, technology, and community come together to illuminate the town. A Parade of Light: One of the festival’s highlights will be the Illuminate Parade , a stunning procession of community-made lanterns creating a river of light through Oldham Town Centre. This luminous journey will lead to the Old Town Hall for the opening show, setting the stage for a night full of surprises and enchantment. Exhibitions and Installations At Gallery Oldham , you can catch some incredible exhibitions and light art displays, including: The Lights – The Grundy, Blackpool : A curated selection of light art pieces on loan from The Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool, celebrating the magic of light and its connection to the famous Blackpool Illuminations. The DOME : Inside an inflatable structure, experience a series of 360° immersive projections created by Manchester Metropolitan University’s School of Digital Art (SODA) in response to the work of artist Chila Kumari Singh Burman. MAPP – Alex P : Step into an interactive, mobile video-mapping system where your movements become part of a colorful work of art projected onto a wall. Solar Maximum: My Exhibition at Gallery 4 I’m incredibly proud to be part of Illuminate 2025  with my exhibition, Solar Maximum , which will be showcased in Gallery 4  (next to The Lights). This exhibition is all about the mighty power of the sun, showcasing the raw energy of the Solar Maximum , the peak of the sun’s solar cycle when solar activity is at its most intense. The exhibition explores the sun’s incredible light, which has shaped our existence on Earth and continues to be the most powerful force in our solar system. Solar Maximum  will feature up-close images of the sun's surface, captured by Simon Tang (aka The Stupid Astronomer  on Instagram and YouTube), giving you an unparalleled view of solar flares and sunspots. These images offer a deep dive into the mesmerizing and sometimes violent energy of the sun, revealing its beauty and power in ways that are almost impossible to witness in real life. I’m honored to have had the assistance of Dr W. Dean Pesnell  from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory  at the Goddard Space Flight Center, whose expertise has helped this exhibition a reality. I’ll be on-site at Gallery 4 throughout the festival to chat with visitors, answer any burning questions about the exhibition, and share the creative journey behind Solar Maximum . Plus, I’m excited to be handing out free activity books  illustrated by the talented James Bannan and Mikey Morgan. These activity books, provided by Action Together’s One Oldham Children and Young People Fund , are designed to inspire creativity in young minds. Be sure to grab yours! Workshops and Interactive Art: For those looking to get hands-on, the Light Up Art and Crafts  sessions with Oldham Play Action Group and Light Painting  workshops with Tim Simpson will provide fun and creativity for all ages. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture all the glowing moments! Sunday, 23 February: A Glimpse Into the Future On Sunday evening , from 6:30 to 9:30 PM , head over to Northern Roots Urban Farm and Eco Park  for ‘Into the Future’ , a unique event that invites you to experience a world of technology, AI, and natural beauty through light art. Global Grooves and the intergalactic snail riders—Sleepy Pete, Rosemary Ripple, and Gastro Flash—will guide you on a luminous journey into the future, exploring what our world could look like if we learn to protect and nurture our natural environment. Not to Miss: Incredible Light Art Installations Several stunning light installations will also be showcased throughout the festival, including: Reflect – Emma Gasson : An interactive light installation using a giant tank of water to create mesmerizing reflections in sync with sound. The Matter of the Heart – idontloveyouanymore : A community-driven installation featuring real-time heartbeats from Oldham residents, creating a collective expression of the town’s interconnectedness. Somnius – Illumaphonium : A mesmerizing light and sound installation that responds to movement, celebrating our relationship with the cosmos and nature. This is the Place – Emergency Exit Arts : LED neon murals communicating themes of home, belonging, and migration, casting a rainbow of light over the surrounding environment. A Bright Future Ahead Illuminate 2025 is more than just a festival—it’s a celebration of creativity, community, and the power of light to transform our world. I’m so excited to be a part of this event, and I can’t wait to see how the vibrant, glowing artworks come to life. Join us as we shine a light on the everyday and explore the future of light, art, and technology. Don’t forget to swing by Gallery 4  for Solar Maximum , where I’ll be available to chat and hand out activity books for kids. I hope to see you there! For more information and a complete line up of events, visit the Illuminate  Festival website or check out the Illuminate 2025 program . See you on Saturday! https://hla.oldham.gov.uk/illuminate/

Why 1853 Studios is So Special to Me Joining 1853 Studios in Oldham has been a transformative step in my artistic journey. What makes this space truly special is not only its creative environment but also the warmth and unwavering support I’ve received from Rachel Nettles and Luca Shaw, even before I officially became part of the studio. The Vision Behind 1853 Studios Founded in 2019 by textile artist Rachel Nettles, 1853 Studios is a creative space located in Osborne Mill, Chadderton. Rachel’s vision was to create a welcoming, safe environment for artists—one that wasn’t just functional but inspiring. The studio is designed with artists’ needs in mind, offering everything from good lighting to a warm and comfortable atmosphere that encourages creativity. Support Before Joining Although I only recently joined 1853 Studios, Rachel and Luca have been supporting me long before I officially became part of the community. Rachel, the founder, and Luca, the Creative Director, have both gone out of their way to offer guidance, help develop my portfolio, and assist with various funding applications. Their care and dedication to supporting artists like me are evident, and they made sure I felt valued even before becoming an official member. The Role of Rachel Nettles and Luca Shaw Rachel and Luca’s approach to nurturing artists is one of the things that makes 1853 Studios so special. Rachel, with her years of experience as a textile artist, has created a space that balances practicality with inspiration. Luca, a multidisciplinary artist herself, brings a fresh energy and vision to the studio, making it a dynamic, collaborative place for growth. Together, they’ve cultivated a supportive environment where creativity and community thrive. The 1853 Studios Community One of the things I love most about 1853 Studios is the strong sense of community. From the very beginning, I’ve felt welcomed by everyone here. The diverse artists have different practices and backgrounds, creating a vibrant and inspiring environment. Even before officially joining, I had the chance to connect with artists like Rhys, Bill, and others, whose ideas and support have already made a significant impact on me. The community at 1853 Studios is built on mutual respect, collaboration, and a shared passion for creativity. Looking Ahead Although I’m just beginning my journey at 1853 Studios, I feel at home. The support I’ve received from Rachel and Luca has been invaluable, and I’m excited to continue growing as an artist in this wonderful environment. I look forward to submitting my work for exhibitions and collaborating with other talented artists at the studio. Why You Should Consider 1853 Studios If you’re an artist looking for a place to develop your practice, connect with other creatives, and be part of a supportive community, I highly recommend 1853 Studios. Rachel and Luca’s dedication to fostering a warm, inclusive environment makes this studio a special place to create and grow. I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve already received, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds at 1853 Studios. https://www.1853studios.com/ https://www.facebook.com/1853Studios https://www.instagram.com/1853studios/

A few months ago, I received the incredible news that I had been accepted to exhibit my artwork at Gallery 4 at Gallery Oldham. The moment I opened the email and saw the word "Congratulations," I was overwhelmed with joy—tears, screams, and pure happiness all at once. Since then, the experience has been a whirlwind of creativity and planning. Now that the exhibition is getting closer, I wanted to share the process that led me here, from that moment of acceptance to preparing for the big opening. The Excitement of Being Accepted Although I found out about my acceptance to exhibit at Gallery Oldham a few months ago, the excitement is still fresh in my memory. The email I received was a moment I will never forget. I had been volunteering at Gallery Oldham since 2018, and to finally have the opportunity to display my own work in the very space that I had spent so many hours supporting others was a dream come true. When I saw the word "Congratulations!" pop up in my inbox, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of emotions. Confetti exploded across my screen, and I cried with happiness, screamed with joy, and immediately called my closest friend to share the news over a comforting cup of tea. Since that moment, I’ve had numerous phone calls with loved ones, celebrating this amazing opportunity. But beyond the initial excitement, I knew that the real work was just beginning—this was my chance to bring my vision to life in a way that had never been done before. Planning the Exhibition: A Digital Vision One of the first steps in preparing for my exhibition was receiving the floor plan for Gallery 4. This was an essential piece of the puzzle. With this floor plan in hand, I could begin visualizing how my artwork would fit into the space. I wanted to make sure that my exhibition would be thoughtfully designed, so I turned to SketchUp , a tool I had previously used to model spaces digitally. I recreated the gallery floor plan in SketchUp, and using it, I carefully placed each of my pieces of artwork where I envisioned them being in the space. This allowed me to experiment with the layout before ever stepping into the gallery, ensuring that everything would work together in harmony. Creating this digital model was an incredibly helpful part of the process. It allowed me to see the exhibition as a whole, giving me a clear sense of how the pieces would interact with each other and how they would be viewed by visitors. I spent a lot of time refining the design to make sure that it reflected my artistic vision while also making the most of the gallery's layout. Finalizing the Artwork and Logistics Once the exhibition layout was set, it was time to finalize the artwork that would be displayed. I made sure to choose pieces that not only complemented one another but also told a cohesive story. Each piece has its own unique meaning and message, and I wanted to create an experience for visitors that would allow them to connect with my work on a deeper level. Along with preparing the artwork, I’ve also been busy with the logistics—getting frames, deciding on the order of pieces, and planning how each artwork would be presented. It's a lot of small details that come together to create the bigger picture, but it’s all part of the excitement of curating a show of my own. What Comes Next: Preparing for the Opening As the exhibition date draws closer, I’m filled with both excitement and gratitude. While the hard work is far from over, seeing everything start to come together is incredibly rewarding. From the moment I got the good news to now, every step has been a new opportunity for learning and growth. I can’t wait to finally see my artwork displayed in Gallery 4, to share it with visitors, and to open a conversation about the creative process behind each piece. This exhibition represents years of hard work, learning, and creativity, and I’m so proud to be able to share it in the place that has supported me from the very beginning. Reflecting on the Journey Looking back, I realize just how much this opportunity means to me. Gallery Oldham has been my creative home since 2018, and now, to be able to exhibit my work in Gallery 4, feels like the culmination of everything I’ve worked toward. It’s an incredible moment in my artistic journey, and I am deeply grateful for the chance to showcase my art in a space that has been such an integral part of my growth. The journey from receiving that "Congratulations" email to preparing for the opening has been filled with both challenges and excitement, but it has been a journey that has allowed me to connect more deeply with my art, my community, and myself. Conclusion: A Dream in the Making Having my own solo exhibition at Gallery Oldham is truly a dream come true, and I am so excited to share my work with the world. The process has been both exhilarating and humbling, and I can’t wait for the doors of Gallery 4 to open and welcome visitors into my creative space. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. Stay tuned for more updates as the exhibition gets closer—I can't wait to see you there!

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Portfolio My passion for Arts has taken a distinctive form, and I specialize in sculptural works using 3D PEN. Alongside my sculptural work, I have also taken an interest in educating youths through the format of Activity sheets, which are designed to enhance creativity and imagination. My goal is to encourage self-expression and individuality through my artistic works. You can learn more about me and my journey by exploring my portfolio. There's No Place Like Home (2019) 3D Pen Debut using memories to reconstruct home My sculpture, There's No Place Like Home (2019), is an ode to the cherished memories I have of my grandparents' house. This was my debut piece created using 3D technology and was showcased in the Manchester School of Art Degree Show 'Everything Starts from Something' in 2019. Explore the intricacy of the work created with light and shadow. A carefully crafted element reflecting my perspective of what was home. Freelance Contemporary Curation Unleashing Creativity through Color and Artistry As a Freelance Contemporary Curator, I've had the privilege of working on various projects, including solo curating a school exhibition and working as a curatorial assistant on two open submissions. My experience also includes providing two curatorial tours, most prominently in collaboration with The National Gallery London and Gallery Oldham. With my freelancing curation services, I'm excited to bring my knowledge and skills to your project. The National Westminster Bank, Mumps (2022) A tale of Patience and perseverance I'm proud to present my latest project, a 3D sculpture of The National Westminster Bank, Mumps. This sculpture was created using archival documents and a 3D pen, which took over 42 hours of intense concentration and manipulation. By combining traditional drawing methods with modern technology, I was able to construct a stunning recreation of this local grade II listed building. When illuminated, the sculpture truly comes to life, with light and shadow accentuating the intricate details of the work. Solar Maximum January 25th - 8th March 2025 As a creative artist, I am constantly exploring new techniques and materials to bring my vision to life. My passion is for exploring the natural world through art. My new project examines the solar surface and its complex structures, utilizing a 3D pen to create a textured surface that plays with light and shadows. This project challenges me to push the boundaries of my skills and imagination, and I am excited to share my progress with you. Follow my social media and blog for updates on this project and more. Get in Touch Oldham, Greater Manchester, England 07878688660 via Whatsapp Amberqueally@outlook .com First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!

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