PEOPLE living in Manningham and Heaton area areas being invited to submit artwork to go on display as part of a summer-long celebration of the local community

The team behind the Little Community Gallery is asking people to send in their artwork for an exhibition in the garden of Victor Street Mosque in Manningham.

The gallery has been set up by local residents Sophie Powell and Saima Bi, as part of Lister Action Community Group, to showcase the creativity of the area.

Part of Bradford's Summer Unlocked programme, the gallery is a specially built case where artwork will be displayed in the grounds of the mosque so that people can visit at any time.

Summer Unlocked, taking place across the Bradford district from July to September, is aimed at bringing to life parks, high streets and public spaces with a programme of free cultural and sporting events and activities.

It is organised by Bradford Council, Bradford 2025 and The Leap, with funding from the England European Regional Development Fund.

Lister Action Community Group is a volunteer-led community action organisation serving Manningham and Heaton.

Founded three years ago, the group aims to improve the lives of local people and has been successful in obtaining funding for litter picks, community fetes, garden competitions and artistic projects supporting residents through the first and second lockdowns of 2020.

Sophie said: “We love living in Manningham and we want to bring extra colour to the area over the summer. The Little Community Gallery gives people the opportunity to show off their creativity so we're asking people to give us their artworks; drawings, paintings, sculptures, photography, poetry, textiles and more.

"We're really grateful to the mosque for partnering with us on this project and can't wait to see the gallery in the garden.”

Added Saima: “Starting from August 7 and then every two weeks, there will be a new exhibition on these themes - summer, pets and animals, community, curiosity, maps and fun.

"We are asking people to make artwork which captures one of these themes in any way they like. Everyone is welcome to get involved - we want to see what Bradford district can create!”

Also planned is an exhibition guide to the exhibitions, to celebrate the project over the summer. Everyone who exhibits work will get a free copy.

Artworks need to be A4 size or smaller and suitable to be in a public space. People who submit items can drop them off at the shop on Park View Road during opening hours or email littlecommunitygallery@gmail.com for more details.

"Please include your name and an address to return your artworks, and to get a copy of your exhibition guide," say project managers Sophie and Saima.

"The gallery can also be contacted through facebook- facebook.com/LCGbd or through instagram @thelittlecommunitygallery

* For more about Summer Unlocked go to visitbradford.com/summerunlocked