All day and each day – Outdoor Exhibition
An outdoor exhibition of work created by local groups including PINC College Students, Greenbank Primary School pupils, and the Aloe Veras Art Group.
Using a famous Pop artist and their techniques as inspiration, this display looks ahead to Touchstones’ re-opening with a major exhibition developed in collaboration with ARTIST ROOMS and co-curated with the Aloe Veras Art Group. ARTIST ROOMS is Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland’s world-class touring collection of modern and contemporary art, presenting the work of international artists in exhibitions that reach audiences around the UK.
Where: Square Gallery
10:00am – 4:00pm each day – Schools Linking Exhibition
From March to June 2025, over 1,000 pupils from primary schools across Rochdale Borough took part in fun, creative workshops with artists and Touchstones staff as part of Schools Linking – a project that brings children from different schools together to meet, learn, and celebrate what makes us both unique and connected.
This year’s workshops were led by artist Zara Saghir and musician James Lyons.
With Zara, pupils explored belonging inspired by the book The One & Only You. They worked in pairs create visual designs which were transferred onto ceramic tiles using Indian inks and paints. The work produced is on display as a trail across Rochdale Town Hall throughout the festival. With James, pupils explored L.S. Lowry’s painting Our Town, which was brought into each school. They discussed identity then created characters and words inspired by the figures in the painting. These were recorded as raps and will be on display especially for Day Two: Our Space on the 14 August.
Where: Rochdale Town Hall
12:00pm – 4:00pm each day – Special Collection Display
Each day Touchstones will bring a surprise special object which provides the theme for each day.
Where: Rochdale Town Hall, Rochdale Town Hall Square
12:00pm – 4:00pm each day – Make Your Mark
Draw and create your mark on Rochdale Town Hall Square helping to guide visitors from Temporary Touchstones to Rochdale Town Hall.
Where: Rochdale Town Hall Square
