This week, we caught up with Allison Wild, an artist based in Tameside who runs The Mixing Pot - art classes for everyone that are designed to ignite creativity and fun!

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Allison tells us more about her fantastic creative venture…

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What is The Mixing Pot?

The Mixing Pot is a creative art venture designed to offer a safe, relaxing environment allowing adults, children and families to explore their creativity - all ages and abilities welcome.

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I create art projects, produce worksheets and offer step by step instructions to help people produce their piece of art. All equipment supplied and no experience is required.

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I run events and classes from Academy HQ Stalybridge, and am available for private parties, functions, corporate and wellbeing events.  I also offer an Art Pack delivery service one day per month for people unable to access the venues.

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The name of the business isn’t just referencing mixing paints, it is also describing a mixing pot of people with vibrant ideas wanting to express themselves with paint!

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What do you love about Tameside?

Stalybridge is my hometown. Many generations of my family were born and bred here. I love the community, its closeness to the countryside, cobbled streets, a calmer way of life but also the convenience to commute via train to Manchester and other places.

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How is Tameside’s heritage and culture reflected in your business or venture?

Tameside’s heritage and culture finds its way into my classes subconsciously via the people who attend. Stories of old are shared nostalgically between a diverse mix of cultures. Often we will paint Tameside landmarks like Hartshead Pike and we recently recreated “Starry Stalybridge”, our own versions of Van Gogh's “Starry Night”.

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What do you believe would bolster the region’s cultural and creative community?

I believe low rental artists’ studios or “creative hubs” would be a great asset to the community. Art grants for independent, working artists with open studios to enable them to show and sell their work.  

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I believe art should be celebrated and encouraged and available to all, and providing workspaces to create, learn and share knowledge would inspire a community.

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What are your three favourite venues,  ventures, places or services in Tameside?

I love the canals, Portland Basin & Museum, the train station, Stamford Park, Cheetham Park, the libraries, Astley Cheetham Art Gallery for hosting their “Open Art” exhibitions, Street Fest and all events that help to bring the community together!

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