Blogs & News

: Annie Swynnerton, Painting Light and Hope – exhibition curator talk.

Painting Light and Hope is the first retrospective exhibition of Annie Swynnerton’s work for many years currently at Manchester City Art Gallery and features 36 paintings from across her career. Rebecca Milner, who is the Gallery’s Curator for Fine Art, will talk about Annie Swynnerton and the Exhibition, at Elizabeth Gaskell's House and there will be an opportunity to hear about other portraits in the House. Annie Swynnerton was born in 1844 in Hulme. She trained at the

: Author Talk: Tessa Boase -‘Mrs Pankhurst’s Purple Feather’

Join author Tessa Boase for an illustrated talk about the pioneering female founders of the RSPB – including rare images, a cast of invincible characters, and a surprising political secret. Tessa will be giving a free talk at the House, and signing copies of her book about these redoubtable women, including Manchester's very own female fighters for justice -  suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst and Didsbury's Emily Williamson, who began a whole new women's campaign.   THE WOMEN WHO

: Victorian Book Group – The Man of Property (Book 1 of The Forsyte Saga) by John Galsworthy

Now in our 4th year, the Victorian Book Group continues our focus on reading (and re-reading) classic works of fiction. Our scope spans the long nineteenth-century and often includes neo-Victorian novels. We are especially interested in writings by and about women, and always feature one work by Elizabeth Gaskell. In 2019, we will explore the genre of the family saga and continue our investigation of how the British novel developed in conversation with other national literary traditions. New members

: Calligraphy Workshop – Intermediate

Learn more of the elegant art of modern calligraphy in this bespoke workshop with calligrapher and brush lettering artist Joyce Lee*, which is designed to build on basic calligraphy skills. During the intermediate workshop, you will learn the uppercase alphabets and simple flourishing for that touch of elegance. You'll develop your skills in writing with nib and ink in under Joyce's expert tuition, in the inspirational surroundings of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, where the author herself sat to pen

: iPhone Photography Workshop

Learn to take stunning pictures with the camera on your phone at our Sunday afternoon photography workshop. You'll learn how to get the best out of your iPhone camera, under expert tutorial from photographer Adrian McGarry. From camera basics to composition, exposure and editing, you'll learn the secrets of the pros, including indoor and location-based shooting, using the stunning surroundings of Elizabeth Gaskell's House and garden as inspiration. And the garden will be at its very best, the