The Turnpike Gallery

11/06/2026

The Wigan Council Residency Programme is a talent development scheme for recent graduates and emerging visual artists who are given access to a studio at Leigh Spinners Mill from September 2026 to August 2027.

The opportunity offers 2 artists at the beginning of their career and based in the borough of Wigan, the chance to broaden their experience and develop their practice in a creative industry setting. A shared studio is provided for artists to make work, try out new ideas and engage in dialogue with other practitioners.

The studio is suitable for artists who are painters, designers or illustrators who work with non-toxic materials and non-specialist equipment.

For more details on how to apply, email [email protected]

Closing date for applications is 12th July.

09/06/2026

Mindful Making with Kate Bufton - Artist & Arts Educator starts this Thursday! A free creative group for adults living in the Leigh Neighbours area. Get in touch with Kate for more details and to book on 📩

Hello again,

We've still got some spaces available for our new Mindful Making sessions run by local artist Kate Bufton.

Kate has supported Leigh Neighbours before (anyone remember 'Our Art Neighbourhood'?). Anyway, she's great and these sessions will be great too.

Contact Kate directly by email to book a place.

08/06/2026

Make. Believe. is inspiring local children to look, think, imagine and make! Some brilliant stories and magical doorways have been created. Thanks to

06/06/2026

On our last Saturday workshop we had a fabulous time with artist Sophie Strain making clay fairy houses - look at these beautiful creations inspired by Make. Believe.! 🌟

Sophie will be back in the gallery on Saturday 20th June for another free family drop-in workshop. Suitable for families with children aged 5+

05/06/2026

Congratulations to Oliver Beatty, one of the commissioned artists in the Make. Believe. exhibition! Oliver has created some incredible rune sculptures for the exhibition as well as a mysterious stone carving hidden in the Higher Folds woodland... ✨

03/06/2026

Our magical Make. Believe. exhibition is now open! Brought to you by lead artist Sophie Mahon, HF Works and the residents of Higher Folds. Come and discover the stories, legends and folklore of Higher Folds through new commissions by Kris Twigge, Rae Higgs, Oliver Beatty and Malakai Skull.

We are open Tues-Fri 10-4, Sat 10-2, entry is free.

Photography by the very talented Lucy Evans ✨

27/05/2026

Join us for the launch of Make. Believe., tonight at 6.30pm!

✨ Make. Believe. opens tomorrow at The Turnpike Gallery
Step into a world of imagination, creativity and community…Make. Believe. invites you to discover the stories, landscapes and myths of Higher Folds, Leigh, brought to life by lead artist Sophie Mahon, HF Works CIC and local residents.
This unique exhibition celebrates the creative spirit of the community—sharing folklore, humour and home-grown stories that reveal the magic hidden in everyday life. 🌿

🎨 Expect an interactive film, giant glass marbles, a ‘museum of archaeology’, engraved stone sculptures, photography & poetry, a Tolkienesque map of local mythologies and an immersive soundscape & interactive game.

💫 Featuring work by a range of artists and creatives, alongside contributions from residents across the borough, this is an exhibition not to be missed.
📍 The Turnpike Gallery
📅 Opens 27 May to 18 December 2026
Come along and rediscover the wonder in the world a

26/05/2026

Come and celebrate Higher Folds and the beautiful work created by our local artists at the Turnpike Gallery tomorrow. Don’t forget to RSVP to [email protected]

23/05/2026

Lead artist Sophie Mahon, together with HF Works and the Higher Folds Community, invite you to experience something truly magical at The Turnpike Gallery. A powerful celebration of creativity, collaboration and imagination, where stories are brought to life and anything feels possible.

Join us for the launch of Make. Believe. exhibition on Wednesday 27th May from 6.30-8.30pm.

Funded by Wigan Council, Resilient Cities Network and Arts Council England

📸 artwork by Lucy Evans

16/05/2026

Join us next Saturday for a fun and free family drop-in workshop with artist Sophie Strain. We will be making our own clay fairy houses inspired by the Make. Believe. exhibition! Suitable for families with children aged 5+