Mossley’s high streets set to come alive with art and awareness

A vibrant pop-up art trail will transform Mossley’s two high streets later this month, celebrating creativity, community and neurodiversity.

Titled Spectrum of Expression, the exhibition will appear in the windows of shops, community buildings and at The Vale arts centre, showcasing the work of A Team, a Mossley-based social group for autistic and neurodivergent people.

Fifteen members of the group, aged between 16 and 77, have contributed paintings, photography and clay pieces exploring the theme of “self.” Their aim is to raise awareness of autism and other forms of neurodivergence, including ADHD and dyslexia, while celebrating individuality and creativity.

The project follows nine weeks of artist-led workshops at The Vale, where participants experimented with new materials and techniques. For many, it was the first time since school that they had taken part in an organised creative session.

The art trail officially launches with an event at The Vale on Friday 24 October from 6–8pm and will remain open until Sunday 2 November 2025. Venues along the trail include George Lawton Hall and Mossley AFC, with a full list of participating sites available at the launch and on The Vale’s website.

To accompany the exhibition, two free public workshops at The Vale’s Studio 1 will invite visitors to get hands-on and respond to the artwork through collage.

• Thursday 30 October, 6–8pm: Led by local artist Sarah Hardacre, open to ages 14+.
• Saturday 1 November, 2–4pm: All-ages session led by Martha Distin Webster.

Both workshops are free and offer step-free access.

The project is funded by Mossley Parish Council and the Tameside Creative Fund, part-funded by the UK government through the Flexible Local Authority Grants.

A Team was founded two and a half years ago by Mossley resident Jacky Ellison, after her autistic adult son expressed a wish to meet new people. With the support of Mossley AFC, who offered free use of their social club, the group now meets every other Tuesday from 6–8pm, welcoming neurodivergent people aged 13 and over, along with their families.

Jacky said: “I hope this art trail helps to raise the profile of the group and encourages more people to come along themselves. It’s a lovely, friendly, accepting group for neurodivergent people and their families, where anything goes.”

“People come to chat, play games, join quizzes, or just enjoy a biscuit and a brew. We also go on trips, hold parties and even have our own book group. The ‘self’ theme really brought out everyone’s individuality - from one artist’s love of Crocs to others’ eclectic interests and the wonderful quirkiness of Mossley.”

Photographer Bankole Oluwafemi, who led some of the creative workshops, said the experience challenged his expectations as an instructor: “When you’re asked to facilitate a workshop, the general idea is that the knowledge flows one way — from teacher to student. But my interaction with A Team felt much more like a collaboration. Their intuition and insight often surprised me, and they helped me see new things about my own photography.”

A Team member Theresa added: “I’ve loved the friendly, safe environment to be creative. I’ve learned so much about photography and enjoyed every session.”

Anyone interested in joining A Team can contact the group via Facebook or by emailing Ateam_mossley@outlook.com.

Spectrum of Expression launches Friday 24 October 2025, 6–8pm at The Vale, Unit 2 Vale Mill, Micklehurst Road, Mossley (OL5 9JL). The trail runs across Mossley from Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November 2025.