HF Makes & The Turnpike Gallery

Make. Believe. Opens Its Doors at The Turnpike Gallery

After months of creativity, conversations, workshops and shared imagination, we're incredibly proud to see Make. Believe. officially open at The Turnpike Gallery in Leigh.

This isn't just an exhibition. It's a celebration of the people, places and stories that make Higher Folds what it is.

Over the past year, local residents have worked alongside lead artist Sophie Mahon, The Turnpike Gallery and HF Works to uncover the hidden stories woven through our community. From exploring local folklore and forgotten memories to discovering beauty in everyday spaces, the project has encouraged people of all ages to see Higher Folds through fresh eyes.

The result is an exhibition unlike any other.

Visitors can explore interactive artwork, photography, poetry, sculpture, sound, film and installations inspired by the community itself. Every piece reflects the imagination, creativity and lived experiences of the people who call Higher Folds home. Giant glass marbles, mythical maps, archaeology, local legends and community-made artworks all come together to create an experience that invites everyone to wonder, explore and imagine.

For HF Works, this project represents something much bigger than an exhibition.

It shows what's possible when a community is given the space, confidence and opportunity to create. We've watched people discover new talents, build friendships, share stories and develop skills they never knew they had. Young people and adults alike have become artists, storytellers, photographers, makers and creators.

The opening night was a proud moment. Seeing residents standing beside work they helped create, welcoming family and friends into the gallery, was a reminder that creativity belongs to everyone. The exhibition doesn't tell the story of Higher Folds from the outside looking in. It tells it through the voices of the people who live here.

We're incredibly grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey, from residents and volunteers to artists, partners and supporters who believed in the vision from the very beginning. Together we've created something that will leave a lasting legacy for our community.

If you haven't visited yet, we would encourage you to take the trip to The Turnpike Gallery in Leigh. Whether you're from Higher Folds or further afield, Make. Believe. offers a chance to experience the creativity, resilience and imagination that exists within our community.

The exhibition runs until 18 December 2026 and is free to visit.

We hope you'll come along, explore the stories, and perhaps even see your own community a little differently afterwards.

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