What’s on: International Women's Day 2025 at Waterside
For International Women’s Day 2025, Waterside is presenting an empowering series of events and exhibitions.
The packed line-up includes a thought-provoking exhibition showcasing inspiring stories and artwork and a photographic exhibition told through a female lens. There’s also a hands-on creative workshop allowing you to explore self-expression through photomontage or collage.
These Waterside events are designed to uplift and celebrate women in all their brilliance.
The events
Supporting The Supporters: International Women’s Day Exhibition
Saturday 01 – Saturday 29 March
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.
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 the borough and the wider Greater Manchester community.
© Lisha Zulkepli
Little Faces, Big Feelings
Until Sat 19 April
Free
Lauriston Gallery
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.
A Woman’s Lens - Creative Workshop
Saturday 08 March 12-1.15pm and 1.30-2.45pm
£3 | Age 12+ (under 18s should be accompanied by an adult)
In the Studio
Join documentary photographer Maria Reaney for this workshop to celebrate the unique perspective through which women see our surroundings.
Create a photo montage 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.
© Claire French
Female Photographers’ Exhibition Talk
Saturday 08 March 3.30-4.30pm
£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.
Light Up Drama Workshops
Friday 14, 21 and 28 March 11am-2pm
£3
In the Chambers
Join these workshops, led by drama facilitator Nour Sabouneh, to unlock your inner strength, build self-confidence and develop communication skills, all while celebrating the rich tapestry of your cultural heritage.
Nour will guide these empowering workshops designed for women of all backgrounds and cultures, including those whose first language isn’t English.
The sessions will help to discover and understand yourself, enhance communication skills, express and manage emotions and build inner strength and self-confidence.
These supportive workshops explore your identity, strengths and growth areas to build self-confidence, enhance your verbal and non-verbal communication, and develop strategies to express and manage your emotions in a safe space.
Come as you are, leave feeling empowered!
14 March - Unveiling the Self – Self-Exploration Through Drama
21 March - Express Yourself – Emotional Expression & Communication
28 March - The Power of Teamwork – Trust & Collaboration Through Drama
