Stretford's Unofficial Natural History Museum | Tuesday 3rd - Saturday 7th November

The Unofficial Stretford Museum is getting a natural history makeover, as local artist Ella Jo transforms part of the space into Stretford’s very own Unofficial Natural History Museum.

Based in Urmston, Ella is an artist, illustrator and surface pattern designer whose work takes inspiration from colour, nature, travel and the decorative details found in everyday life.

For this exhibition, Ella is turning her attention to the wonderfully ordinary wildlife living all around us. Inspired by Victorian natural history collections, cabinets of curiosities and botanical displays, the installation will bring together hand-painted and illustrated plants and animals, botanical studies, pressed plants, paper specimens and found objects.

From foxes crossing residential streets and magpies perched on garden fences to moths at windows and wildflowers growing through pavements, the exhibition gives the everyday wildlife of Stretford its own moment in the museum. Alongside familiar local wildlife, visitors might also encounter a few more mysterious specimens whose existence is yet to be officially confirmed.

Get creative and contribute to the collection

Throughout the week, visitors of all ages can drop in for informal creative activities inspired by Stretford’s natural world. Draw local wildlife and natural objects, decorate cardboard butterflies, create little botanical studies or invent your own Stretford creatures. No specialist knowledge or experience is needed, just a little curiosity and imagination.

The exhibition will grow throughout the week as visitors add their own creations to the collection, concluding in an informal closing celebration on Saturday 7th November, when everyone is invited to come along, create something and see the completed exhibition and collection of  work made by visitors. And to celebrate, you're welcome to bring food and drink over from GRUB Stretford or Longford Tap and settle in.

Part natural history museum, part art installation, the project celebrates the surprisingly wild side of Stretford and invites visitors to look a little closer at the wildlife sharing our everyday spaces.

You can find the exhibition and workshops in The Unofficial Stretford Museum (just opposite Greggs on King Street).

Exhibition and drop in activities: Tuesday 3rd to Friday 6th November, 10am–3pm.

Closing celebration: Saturday 7th November,12pm-4pm (activities will still be taking place)