Page 11 - Real Rochdale Issue 18 Summer 2023

Why we love Rochdale: local companies join Final summer exhibitions at Touchstones

forces to promote borough before 18 month closure

Local businesses have joined
together to outline why
Rochdale is special to them
in a new video released by
the Rochdale Development
Agency.

The video, which celebrates
RDA’s 30th anniversary,
features testimonials from
Mid Communications, Kirsty Wilkinson from Northern Employment
Northern Employment, H Bell A still from Leviathan: From the Forest to the Sea Untitled by Helene Appel
by Shezad Dawood
& Sons, Mysonpages, PDS, RDA for a number of years skills. But the key thing they do
Creative Network, and now. It was lovely to come is bring people together in the The final two exhibitions to contemporary painter, Helene venue, bringing new
Dunsters Farm. together with other businesses business community in take over the gallery space at Appel. opportunities, as well as
to share how great a place Rochdale. Touchstones over the summer providing the best cultural
Iconic landmarks – such as Rochdale is, both personally have been revealed. ‘Among Trees, Among Sand experience to our
Hollingworth Lake, the town and for businesses. “They’ve created a sense of Grains’ showcases Helene’s communities.”
hall, and Kingsway Business togetherness, starting with Before the venue closes its original methods of using
Park – are interspersed “There are so many their excellent leadership doors on 12 August for an paints and different Both exhibitions will end on
throughout the promotional opportunities in Rochdale through the pandemic and how 18-month redevelopment, techniques to give the object Saturday 12 August, when
video, as well as shots of the now for businesses.” they kept us all working and Touchstones will be hosting she creates a physical and the building will temporarily
town centre, Number One talking.” works from multi-disciplinary three-dimensional presence. close for redevelopment.
Riverside and the public David Brereton, managing artist, Shezad Dawood, and
transport links. director of Mysonpages, which He added: “What we all say in Berlin-born artist, Helene The exhibition will focus on The Local Studies Centre
is located in the same building the video is true, and maybe it Appel. her aesthetic depiction of closed in May, with the team
Kirsty Wilkinson, of Northern as Zen Internet, said: “The RDA needs saying a little louder.” ordinary objects from moving the archives to a
Employment, said working on has helped us get to services Taking over galleries one and everyday life. new location of Sparth
the promotional video was we wouldn’t have known about The RDA was created to two is ‘Leviathan: From the Community Centre through-
“a great experience” adding: and linked us with other support businesses moving to Forest to the Sea’, premiering Mark Doyle, Head of Arts, out May and June, and the
“We’ve worked closely with businesses that could need our the borough of Rochdale.
the latest instalment in Engagement and Heritage at museum closed on 3 June.
Dawood’s epic film series Touchstones Rochdale, said:
Leviathan Cycle. “We’re delighted to welcome
two successful artists into our Touchstones opening
This is part of a series of gallery spaces, both with times:
exhibitions across the North differing backgrounds but Tues, Thurs & Sat: 10am
West, brought together under with the same prospect of - 5pm
the title of Hybrid Futures, looking inwardly at how we Weds 10am -9pm
that will explore and address perceive the world around us.
the urgent focus of climate Touchstones Rochdale,
change. “Our two final exhibitions are The Esplanade
an excellent way to conclude Rochdale, OL16 1AQ
The second exhibition, which this era of Touchstones Tel: 01706 924492
will take over galleries three Rochdale - the redevelopment
David Brereton from Mysonpages and four, is led by means a big step for our Admission is FREE.

REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2023 10 11 REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2023