Woodend Studios, in Mossley, is hosting a free event for people to come and support the different artistic creators that operate from their studios.

Operating out of Woodend Mill, they are made up of more than 100 individual studios which are the base for the artists that will be featured in the event. 

The converted textile mill with two separate mill buildings was originally built in 1849, making it a key part of Greater Manchester's rich textile history. 

'Northern Lights' by Linda Edwards, one of the artists based at Woodend Mill'Northern Lights' by Linda Edwards, one of the artists based at Woodend Mill (Image: Linda Edwards)

The weekend-long event will take place on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30 and will be free to attend.

Those who attend will have the opportunity to see the likes of artists Nancy Crilley in Mill 1, Sheila Meeks in Mill 1, Susan Aggarwal in Mill 2 as well as an exhibition from local school children in Mill 2.

The mill's artistic presence dates back to the 1970s and the current studio holders maintain close ties with the community delivering large community projects, working in schools and community groups and supporting local charities.

'Open your heart, Wildflowers in abundance' by Susan Aggarwal, a Woodend Studios artist'Open your heart, Wildflowers in abundance' by Susan Aggarwal, a Woodend Studios artist (Image: Susan Aggarwal)

Annie Kèki, creative co-ordinator at Woodend Studios, said: "There is a wealth of talent within our history-laden walls and twice a year we open the doors and invite in the wider community to share in exhibitions, workshops and interactive sessions with our many artists.

"Puppet and prop maker Chris Anderson of No Eyed Theatre will be exhibiting several of his large-scale puppets on Level 4 of Mill 2, where you will also find some clues for the treasure hunt, a wonderful interactive opportunity for our young visitors to pick up clues as they make their way along the Art Trail, collect all the clues and complete the word to get a small prize at the end."

One of the large-scale puppets created at Woodend StudiosOne of the large-scale puppets created at Woodend Studios (Image: Rachel Bywater)

Global Grooves, a carnival arts organisation based in the North West, will be sending their Mill Inspired puppets to Woodend Mill Open Studios on Saturday 29 June 2024 between 10am and 2pm.

The event will also have various food vendors in attendance, such as Hatch Bakery, so that visitors have the chance to grab a bite to eat. 

Open Studio weekend will showcase many forms of talent that call Woodend Mill home, including crocheters, photographers, jewellers, leather craftsmen and so much more- some of them are even hosting workshops.

While the event is free to attend, some of the workshops require to register online before attending, and so check the Woodend Studios website for more information.