Immerse yourself in a thought-provoking exhibition showcasing inspiring stories and artwork or a photographic exhibition told through a female lens. Unleash your creativity in a hands-on workshop, where you can explore self-expression through photomontage or collage. Find out more about documentary photography practices with female photographers, or join our Light Up drama workshops to gain practical tools and motivation to help you own your voice. Whether you want to reflect, create, learn or, grow, these Waterside events are designed to uplift and celebrate women in all their brilliance.

https://watersidearts.org/events/category/international-womens-day/

LITTLE FACES, BIG FEELINGS Until Sat 19 Apr
Through a genuine and authentic female lens this is a poignant photographic collection documenting and highlighting the profound impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children and young people worldwide. Documentary photographer, Maria Reaney has brought together the work of 16 female photographersfrom 10 countries, reflecting a spectrum of emotions – boredom, longing, contemplation, playfulness, curiosity, and frustration.

FEMALE PHOTOGRAPHERS’ EXHIBITION TALK: The importance of independent photographers in creating a truthful account of historical events Sat 08 Mar 15:30 – 16:30
£3
In the Lauriston Gallery
Photographer Maria Reaney will be joined by participating female photographers Claire French (Manchester), Sosina Mengistu (Ethiopia) and Patricia Faustino (Portugal)* to talk about their documentary photography practices. They will also discuss the importance of bringing together this unique collection of images, and the significant contribution that independent documentary photography projects play in ensuring truthful accounts of historical events. * Sosina Mengistu and Patricia Faustino will join the discussion via a video link.

A WOMAN’S LENS – CREATIVE WORKSHOP Sat 08 Mar 12:00 – 13:15 & 13:30 – 14:45
£3 | Age 12+ (Under 18s should be accompanied by an adult)
In the Studio
Join us for a workshop this International Women’s Day, with documentary photographer Maria Reaney – to celebrate the unique perspective through which women see our surroundings. Create a photomontage or collage with text under the guidance of Maria in this interactive workshop using the Little Faces Big Feelings exhibition as inspiration, or simply create an artwork which reflects your feelings and experiences in a friendly and safe space. *No photographic experience is needed. If you have any printed photographs from your uniquely female lives bring them along to use in your art. Alternatively, we can print them onsite or simply use the materials provided.

SUPPORTING THE SUPPORTERS: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY EXHIBITION
Sat 01 – Sat 29 Mar
Free
In Gallery ‘74
A showcase of artworks, images, films and poems in celebration of International Women’s Day 2025. The emphasis of International Women’s Day 2025 is to Accelerate Action – “a worldwide call to acknowledge strategies, resources, and activity that positively impact women’s advancement, and to support and elevate their implementation. Here in Trafford we have many women who are actively ‘Accelerating Action’ and our Gallery ’74 showcase aims to shine a light on some of the empowering activities of individuals and organisations within our Borough and the wider Greater Manchester community.