The countdown to Manchester Art Fair, one of the UK’s largest and most significant art fairs, is on as it prepares to return to Manchester Central next weekend (November 21 - 23).

Showcasing thousands of works from 184 UK and international individual artists, galleries and artist-led spaces, the iconic exhibition hall will be transformed into a vibrant gallery space where modern and contemporary paintings, sculptures, photography, and editioned prints from some of the world’s greatest creatives can be enjoyed.  Featured names include David Hockney, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso.

Showing at this year's fair is nationally acclaimed Manchester oil painter and artist to the King, Chloe Cox. Renowned for her powerful depictions of Caribbean heritage, Cox’s work is driven by a passion for representing the underrepresented and celebrating voices from ethnic minority communities. Her work was recently commissioned by King Charles III and the Windrush Commemoration Committee, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Windrush crossing. Visitors can hear Cox speak on her artistic journey during her Q&A, on Saturday 22nd at 1pm.

Also exhibiting is Brighton-based textile artist Corinna Wilson, known professionally as Bob & Eve. Her creative name, born from the words bobbin and weave, reflects her love of working with fabric and thread. Inspired by the tapestries and quilts of her childhood, Wilson’s colourful, text-based works explore the juxtaposition of traditional techniques, historically used by women in domestic settings, with playful, often irreverent commentary on modern life.

Joining Cox and Wilson is sculptor and painter Jamie Frost, whose practice explores the tension between strength and vulnerability in the human form. His bold works convey movement, restraint, and emotional depth. Widely exhibited, Frost has earned numerous accolades, among them membership of the Royal Society of Sculptors and a shortlisting for the Alpine Fellowship Visual Arts Prize.

Debuting at this year's fair and fusing art with exquisite design are luxury brands Porsche and Boodles. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive look at the luxury automotive brand’s one-of-a-kind Art Car - a Porsche Macan EV transformed into a vibrant rolling canvas of colour and creativity by renowned British Artist Sophie Tea. Meanwhile, the British fine jeweller will showcase Director of Design Rebecca Hawkins’ recent high-profile work with the National Gallery and exhibit its newest collection, Raindance 25.

But this year's event isn’t just for art collectors, as visitors can enjoy art talks throughout the weekend.  Featuring in this year’s programme is TV scriptwriter Joe Tucker, who will discuss his new memoir-biography The Secret Painter, which recounts his family's remarkable discovery of his uncle's uncovered paintings. 

He is joined by Guardian journalist Eddy Frankel, who, with magazines closing, budgets being slashed and commercial interests shaping editorial output, will ask the question, Is Art Criticism Doomed? Additionally, visitors can hear from Art Newspaper critic and correspondent Louisa Buck, who will lead the Collecting Contemporary Art Panel, discussing the motivations, challenges and responsibilities involved in building contemporary art collections.

Speaking ahead of the fair’s return, Director at Manchester Art Fair, Sophie Helm, said: “Once again, we are stepping up our ambitions for the fair introducing more new experiences for our audience of established and novice art collectors.  This year’s programme features an exciting breadth of names, many of whom will be joining us in person to share the inspiration behind their work and journey as an artist, including a number of UK and Northern firsts. 

“This year’s Manchester Art Fair is a clear statement of intent: that culture is a driving force for commerce and community in our region, reflecting the fair’s growing influence and its ability to connect contemporary art with premium yet accessible lifestyle experiences.”

Manchester Art Fair also features The Manchester Contemporary presenting a carefully curated selection of independent galleries and artist-led spaces from across the UK and internationally. The fair platforms new work by emerging artists and provides inroads into public collections.

This year, The Manchester Contemporary presents Retrospection, a section of the fair dedicated to galleries whose journeys began at The Manchester Contemporary and who have since risen to international acclaim.

Celebrated London-based galleries Arcade, Copperfield, Seventeen and The Sunday Painter will all be bringing a carefully curated selection of emerging artists, and will be joined by Brooke Benington, Kate MacGarry, and William Hine, all making their Northern debut.

Visitors wanting to get hands-on and create their own work can participate in a series of workshops throughout Manchester Art Fair for just £10, courtesy of Cass Art and Creative Art Courses. Explore the art of expressive contemporary still life drawings or travel the journey from realism to abstraction to create your own abstract art with inspiration from one of Europe’s most influential artists, Piet Mondrian.

Taking place in the food court from 11:00 to 13:00 and 14:30-16:30 on Saturday and 11:00-13:00 and 13:30-15:00 on Sunday, little ones are invited to start their own creative journeys and unleash their imaginations with watercolours, exploring shapes and colours and transforming them into imaginative forms, figures and creatures. Budding mini Picassos are also invited to participate in Therme Manchester’s Artist of the Future, a competition to be in with the chance of winning a trip to Therme’s wellbeing facility in Bucharest with their family.

One of the UK’s largest and most significant art fairs, Manchester Art Fair returns to Manchester Central this November 21-23.  Showing a uniquely diverse mix of acclaimed galleries and independent artists, with a rich programme of artist talks, panel discussions, performances, and installations, it blurs the boundaries between the traditional and the contemporary, creating a friendly and unpretentious Northern art-buying experience. 

Tickets are available now at manchesterartfair.co.uk and priced at £12 for a day ticket, £15 for a two-day ticket, or £25 for a preview night ticket, including access throughout the weekend.  A booking fee applies.

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