Opening the door to the magic of imagination within our communities
Make. Believe. (2025-2026) is an ambitious programme of creative transformation led by The Turnpike Gallery with HF Works CIC. Woven into three strands, activities include:
Collaborative Arts project with Higher Folds Community
Our inspiration comes from Higher Folds, a housing estate in east Leigh.
There is an abundance of creativity within the neighbourhood, from the outsider art of individuals, to the mythical stories of Marble Forest, the Monkey Tree and the Tree House; re-imagined places that continue to shape their heritage and identity.
Lead artist Sophie Mahon is working with Higher Folds residents to showcase the magic of their community and realise their creative ambition for the future through a year-long co-creation project, feeding into the Make. Believe exhibition. This will include commission opportunities for resident artists and a celebration event in 2026.
"I'm proud to be an artist from Higher Folds and I want others to see the magic in the world like we do." - Elizabeth Twigge, HF Works CIC.
Turnpike Print Tour
The Turnpike Print Tour is a series of free-to-access printmaking workshops for the public led by professional artists, hosted in community locations across Wigan borough.
This will give everyone a chance to try their hand at this unique artform, and take inspiration from original artworks from the Turnpike Print Collection. Inspired by the DIY spirit of Higher Folds, we will be sharing tips and ideas for how participants can continue printmaking in their own homes using everyday materials.
Would you like to join us for a printmaking workshop? Check our tour dates and book your free place on our Turnpike Print Tour webpage.
Professional Development for Artists
Training Workshops
Make. Believe. will take local artists on a journey with us through a series of professional development opportunities. We are teaming up with Short Supply, an artist-led organisation in the North of England championing early career and underrepresented artists to offer a programme of free-to-access training workshops and portfolio review sessions for artists working in Wigan.
The programme is aimed at early career artists and will help attendees articulate their practice and build confidence and resilience when applying for opportunities.
Full details will be announced soon, until then please save the date for 2nd and 9th October.
Turnpike Creative Community
The Turnpike Creative Community is a dedicated group for young people aged 16-25 who are interested in learning about creative skills and careers and getting involved in the Turnpike Gallery programme. The Creative Community will play a key role in curating and shaping the vision for the Make. Believe. exhibition in 2026, including commissioning artists and creating content for the show. Members will have the opportunity to sit on our new Peer Advisory Group and feed into the gallery's future plans.
Make. Believe. Exhibition
All three strands will come together in the Make. Believe. Exhibition at The Turnpike Gallery in 2026, celebrating the creative imagination of our communities alongside brand new artist commissions.