Wildlife, art and community celebrated at Gallery Oldham Exhibition closing event

Oldham wildlife artist Anne Bardsley marked the successful conclusion of her solo exhibition, Wild Lives, with a closing event at Gallery Oldham.

The exhibition, which celebrated the connections between art, wildlife conservation and community engagement, featured a collection of colourful acrylic, oil and mixed media paintings. 

They are inspired by animals Anne has observed and photographed during visits to conservation focused zoos and wildlife parks across the UK.  

Through her work, she aims to encourage the appreciation of wildlife while highlighting the importance of conservation. 

Guests at the closing event included representatives from the RSPB, The Wildlife Trust and Oldham Creative Network, alongside fellow artists, collectors and supporters of the local arts community.  

Their attendance reflected the exhibition's ability to bring together people with a shared interest in creativity, conservation and community. 

A self-taught artist based in Oldham, Anne is also Vice Chair of Friends of Gallery Oldham and lead organizer of GO! Artists, Oldham Art Fair, which provides opportunities for local artists and makers to showcase their work while raising funds to help Gallery Oldham preserve its collection and acquire new works for future generations. 

Speaking about the exhibition, Anne said:"Wild Lives has been a wonderful opportunity to share my passion for wildlife and conservation through art. It’s been incredibly rewarding to meet visitors, discuss the inspiration behind the paintings and see people connect with the animals and stories they represent. Bringing together people from the arts, conservation and local communities for the closing event made it a particularly special occasion." 

The exhibition marked an important milestone in Anne's artistic journey and forms part of her ongoing commitment to supporting both wildlife conservation and Oldham's creative community.  

Earlier this year, she was nominated as a Greater Manchester Town of Culture Ambassador for 2026/27 in recognition of her contribution to the borough's cultural life.