Artist collective founded by graduates and students launches new exhibition
26 May 2026
The exhibition celebrates the power of collaboration, bringing together artists who continue to support and challenge one another beyond graduation.
A collective founded by graduates and current students from Manchester School of Art will present a new exhibition in Lancaster this May, following a growing programme of artist led events and exhibitions across Greater Manchester.
Catalyst brings together ten artists connected through 1838 Collective, an artist led non profit organisation based at Islington Mill. Founded by MA and MFA Fine Art and Painting graduates from Manchester School of Art, the collective was established in response to the challenges many emerging artists face after leaving education and the loss of studio communities, creative networks and opportunities to continue developing their practice.
1838 Collective was developed through Manchester Metropolitan University’s RISE Making Great Communities Incubator programme, which provided mentoring, support and structure as the group developed from a student initiative into a registered non profit organisation. Through free and low cost events including workshops, socials, exhibitions and co working opportunities, the collective now supports emerging artists across Greater Manchester.
The exhibition follows the collective’s earlier project Making and Mending in December 2025, an open call exhibition supporting Manchester School of Art students and graduates across Fine Art, Painting, Product Design and Craft. Following that exhibition, artists’ materials company Wallace Seymour invited the collective to curate a new exhibition in Lancaster.
Speaking about the origins of the collective, the group said:
“Graduating from art school can often feel like stepping into a void. During our time at Manchester School of Art, we built strong relationships through shared studios, conversations, group crits and collaborative experiences, and we didn’t want those connections or forms of support to end after university.”
The exhibition brings together artists working across painting and expanded forms of mark making, with practices shaped through ongoing dialogue and shared experience. Exploring themes including time, memory, identity, place and embodied connection, Catalyst reflects both the individuality of each artist and the collective energy that continues beyond university.
Reflecting on what Catalyst represents, the collective said:
“Catalyst represents a moment of transition and momentum for the collective. It marks one of the first major exhibitions developed together outside of university, allowing us to establish our own voice and presence as artists working collectively beyond education.”
Current Manchester School of Art students exhibiting in Catalyst include Blake Prol Barbosa (MFA), Emily Irwin (MFA), Sophie York (MFA) and Oriana Loucaidou (PhD), alongside graduates Aliya Farakh, Georgia Noble, Harriet Westgarth, Rebecca Garrard, Masi Naidj and Yasaman Mollasalehi.
Looking ahead, the collective hopes visitors leave with a sense of what can happen when artists continue to support one another beyond graduation:
“Ultimately, we want people to feel the energy of artists actively building something together beyond the university environment, creating their own platforms, conversations and futures.”
Catalyst takes place at 20 Dalton Square, Lancaster from 25 to 29 May 2026. The exhibition is open to the public by appointment, with visitors invited to contact 1838 Collective in advance to arrange their visit.
