EVENTS
Our events are designed to celebrate the diverse interests and passions of our community, offering something for everyone. From informative workshops to lively panel discussions, from networking opportunities to art exhibitions, our calendar is constantly abuzz with exciting happenings.
What sets SEESAW's events apart is our commitment to collaboration. We believe that the best ideas come from a collective effort, which is why we actively involve our members in the event creation process. By listening to your suggestions, interests, and expertise, we ensure that each event truly reflects the vibrant spirit of our community. Whether you are a long-standing member or someone new to the SEESAW family, our events offer you a chance to connect with like-minded individuals, expand your knowledge, and discover new horizons.
SEESAW's events also extend their reach beyond our immediate community. We embrace the opportunity to collaborate with external partners, inviting industry experts, thought leaders, and innovators to join us in delivering enriching experiences. This ensures a diverse range of perspectives, stimulating conversations, and opportunities for mutual learning that go beyond our walls.
So, whether you're looking to broaden your network, gain new skills, or simply engage with an incredible community, SEESAW's events are here to make it happen. We invite you to explore our dynamic programme, mark your calendars, and join us!
Soft Quest - exhibition by LulaBox
Lulabox (Laura Socas) is a multimedia artist whose work delves into themes of identity, transformation, and nostalgia, using playful, character-driven fantasy as her lens. Her upcoming solo exhibition ‘Soft Quest’, draws inspiration from medieval iconography, fairytales, and fantasy tropes to reinterpret the heroic and the mythic with a sense of whimsy and vulnerability.
The show is inhabited by wistful princesses, sulking knights, and enigmatic figures who blur the line between hero and misfit. With a mix of humor and heartfelt strangeness, Soft Quest invites viewers into an imaginative world where tenderness reshapes power and myth is infused with mischief.
PV 20th June 6-9pm, and continues until 17th July.
Frank’s Studio Pottery Workshops
Make your own ceramic candle! This workshop lasts 2.5 hours, and you will be provided with clay, decorating tools and guidance on how to make your own candle holder. After shaping your candle base, you can either use underglazes to paint your own design, or you can craft your own “glaze blocks” from paper to leave an unglazed design on your work. I will then fire and glaze each piece before returning it to you alongside a candle so you can get to using it right away!Ladies Wine and Design Portfolio Review
Whether you have been working in the industry for two minutes, twenty years, or not even got your foot in the door yet – this event is for you.
Fresh perspectives is all about giving you the chance to get your portfolio reviewed by the top creative talent across the North West. We will also be joined by members of the lovely, supportive team from Creative Resource who will be on hand to offer career and CV advice.
To get the most out of this event all attendees will be asked to submit their portfolios in advance of the evening to give the reviewer a chance to look over the work beforehand. On the night attendees can chose to present one project to thier allocated reviewer.
This event is open to all all women, non-binary, agender and gender non-conforming people.
The Neurodivergent Gals Club x Chameleon
Join The Neurodivergent Gals Club and autistic director-playwright Jess Telling for a writing workshop, discussion & extract of 'Chameleon'.
Dark comedy play Chameleon is a fearless expose of life as a recently diagnosed autistic woman living beyond the spectrum whilst navigating a new relationship. The play follows its heroine on her journey of self-discovery as she is launched headfirst into an identity crisis.
The playwriting segment of this workshop will be facilitated by Jess Telling. This workshop will also include a relaxed focus group and discussion about autistic representation in entertainment run by AuDHD PhD Researcher Sarah Jane Nuttall. A small excerpt of 'Chameleon' will be performed by autistic actor Hope Rose.
This event is run exclusively for neurodivergent gals & lgbtq+ pals.
AfroSocial Debate Night
“AfroSocial” is growing creative and professional community, we hold monthly networking events throughout Manchester with an Afro twist. We believe in building meaningful connections and advancing careers through a social medium.
Prepare to engage in a thrilling evening of intellectual discourse as we host our highly anticipated “Debate Night” event!
We invite you to join us for an unforgettable evening of lively debate, thought-provoking discussions, and the opportunity to expand your perspectives.
Topics
Does being career focused affect getting in a long term relationship?
Do we have it harder than previous generations?
Tasting Notes
Come join us for a sensory-oriented, neurodivergent-friendly Creative Writing workshop and Coffee Cupping session to explore creative writing and the senses. The session will include coffee cupping sessions led by Bee Southworth of Red Bank Roastery, and a multi-genre creative writing workshop led by Lania Knight of The Open University. And cake provided by Pomelo Bakes!
Tasting Notes will be an opportunity to explore connections and synergies between creative writing and the sensory experiences of taste, smell, sight and memory. You’ll spend time taking part in coffee cupping sessions and short writing exercises, all designed to allow your senses to inspire your writing! This event is for adults, suitable for beginners and seasoned writers of any genre. Persons who identify as neurodivergent in any way are welcome, as well as allies and those curious about neurodivergence and creativity.
Tickets are £10, which includes coffee and cake. Please bring your own writing supplies. A limited number of concessions are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Other People’s Poetry Vol 11
Guest Host Abhijeet Singh!
A Spoken word evening, a little differently. Artists from around Manchester will be performing poetry that has inspired their creative process, sharing their passion and context for their works whilst performing other people's poetry.
This event is hosted collaboratively between our guest host for this vol Abhijeet Singh and SEESAW. Other People's Poetry will be recurring on every third Tuesday of the Month.
The event is a Pay What You Can Event; this ticket fee is to pay the artists and all money paid will be distributed evenly between all performers.
The bar will be open, do buy a refreshment to support the venue!
Event Start 7pm
Acts
Jessica El Mal @jessica_elmal
Rina @jellyfishless
Nazma Noor @nazma.knows
Himangi @himangishekhawat
the modernist - Owen Hatherley in conversation with Phil Griffin
Join us as acclaimed cultural historian Owen Hatherley sits down with Phil Griffin to explore the stories behind his latest book, The Alienation Effect: How Central European Émigrés Transformed the British Twentieth Century.
In the 1930s, tens of thousands of central Europeans sought sanctuary from fascism in Britain, bringing with them new and radical ideas that transformed the face of Britain forever. Hatherley draws on an extraordinary cast of figures—from celebrated architect Erno Goldfinger to forgotten luminaries like sociologist Ruth Glass—to reveal how these refugees didn't just find safety in Britain, but fundamentally reshaped its intellectual, artistic, and architectural landscape.
This promises to be a fascinating conversation about hidden histories, cultural migration, and the profound ways that displacement can spark innovation and change.
Whether you're interested in architecture, social history, or the untold stories of how modern Britain was made, this evening offers insights into one of the most significant yet underexplored chapters of the twentieth century.
The £10 cost of your event ticket can be directly applied as a discount towards purchasing the £35 book.
Pencil to Paper - An exhibition by Dani Strange Ryan
Dani Strange Ryan is a queer Manchester-based artist. Through their portraiture work, they attempt to bring together the specificity of person and place, whilst maintaining the spontaneity and energy inherent in a drawing practice. This stylistic tension between accuracy and expressive gesture aims to create portraits which exude warmth, connection and joy.
Dani's solo show 'Pencil to Paper' launches at SEESAW on Friday July 18th 6-9pm. Alongside their trademark portraiture work, there will also be unexhibited life drawing sketches and copies from art history, as a way of establishing the drawing process at the heart of the exhibition.
Following the opening night, the exhibition will be on display until August 12th.
Frank’s Studio Pottery Workshops
Make your own ceramic candle! This workshop lasts 2.5 hours, and you will be provided with clay, decorating tools and guidance on how to make your own candle holder. After shaping your candle base, you can either use underglazes to paint your own design, or you can craft your own “glaze blocks” from paper to leave an unglazed design on your work. I will then fire and glaze each piece before returning it to you alongside a candle so you can get to using it right away!The Simple Life (Drawing) #2
A relaxed and accessible life drawing class brought to you by DMZ studio and hosted by @bobbiewilsonart
Tickets £8
Model: Alice Bowen
This class is suitable for all abilities and the building is fully wheelchair accessible, get in touch if you have any specific requirements.
PSA We are trying to make this an affordable class so the tickets covers the cost of the event. Therefore we can only provide a simple drawing board, clips, cartridge paper and charcoal. Feel free to bring any equipment you would like such as easels, sketchbooks and other mediums.
ENSO
Are you feeling disconnected?
We are living with a crisis of anxiety and isolation. Chasing money, careers and other people's fantasies has disconnected us from the critical aspects of experience, namely BEING, DOING, BECOMING & BELONGING. We will:
Be fully present in the creation of simple and beautiful brush and ink art work
Explore the meaning of the Ensō symbol
Engage with the seven aesthetic principles of Japanese design
Step into our present selves with clarity, meaning and purpose
Have fun with some new people and connect
Use breathing, reflective processes, mindful movement and the creation of brush and ink art for greater presence and a change of perspective. Step away from the noise of the disconnected environment. Be a part of the Driftwood Studio mission to make meaningful connection through creative intent.
Queer Hive Coworking
Queer Hive are Manchester's Queer Co-Working Community.
We are a friendly bunch of remote and hybrid workers across many different industries who meet a few times a week to get work done and meet new, like-minded folks. Anyone who identifies as Queer or LGBTQIA+ is welcome to join our free sessions by booking on Eventbrite.
We meet a few days a week across the city centre, cumulating in fun Fridays at SEESAW. We also run an active community WhatsApp which is a great resource for more social and community events - please see our Instagram @queerhivemcr for more information!
SHADE Yoga Club
Come escape the hustle and join us for our weekly yoga club meet-up and discover how transformative the power of yoga has on dealing with stress in a supportive and welcoming community! Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just starting your journey, our meet-ups offer something for everyone. Immerse yourself in an hour of mindful movement, guided by experienced instructors who will help you deepen your practice and explore new techniques.
Catalog Pop-up: A Bookshop on Wheels
Pete from Catalog will be parking his book bicycle in SEESAW's Foyer Area. Catalog is a mobile independent bookshop where quality is valued over quantity. A speciality magazine space with a focus on high-quality publications of both local and international magazines and books.
Treat yourself, grab a read and a coffee - warm out of the rain.
Catalog will be matching the coffee shop opening hours of 8:30am-4pm.