New exhibition at The Market Gallery in Ashton

The Market Gallery in Ashton has hung its first artist exhibition after lockdown - featuring the work of Tameside-based artist Vanessa Dixon.

Seeing her hometown of Ashton rapidly changing in the 1970s and 80s, Vanessa started taking photographs of the area before buildings disappeared and recording videos of demolitions.

Her most famous video is of the collapse of the old Kenworthy’s shop on Stamford Street, which featured on all of the major news programmes throughout the world.

While she gained success as a photographer and videographer, Vanessa’s true passion is painting which she wanted to combine with capturing the history and beauty of the area she lives.

Her photographs and videos of old buildings now form the basis of her work. She brings buildings no longer standing back to life, often bringing with them happy memories for people as well as capturing current old buildings such as this painting of Ashton Market.

You can see Vanessa’s exhibition at The Market Gallery, stalls 62-63 at Ashton Market, alongside an exhibition focused on the history of local transport using photographs from the Tameside Libraries and Culture archives.

Meanwhile, Portland Basin Museum in Ashton and the Astley Cheetham Art Gallery in Stalybridge will reopen their doors to the public once again on Wednesday (19 May), following the further easing of Covid-19 restrictions planned. 

Find out more about changes will be in place at both attractions here. 

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