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COMMON GROUND
an art practice in the peak district
7th April - 28th August 2026
Common Ground is an exhibition by Manchester Met graduates Abbie Fowler, Freya Boothroyd and Joab Harrison. This immersive installation explores the Peak District National Park through its archaeology, geology, history and sensory qualities.
A collaborative and personal response to this unique landscape, the exhibition invites audiences to connect with nature in the midst of a global climate crisis. Drawing on the contrasting terrains of the White Peak (Carboniferous limestone) and the Dark Peak (millstone grit sandstone), the artists explore material, place and process.
Bringing together wild clay foraged in the Peak District with film and audiovisual elements, Common Ground creates a multi-sensory experience shaped through skill-sharing and collective making. Film screenings and workshops will take place throughout the exhibition.
THE ARTISTS: Freya Boothroyd, Abbie Fowler, Joab Harrison
Freya’s practice is rooted in geology and the material language of landscape. Working with wild clay gathered from caves in the Peak District, she engages in every stage of processing, developing a direct and physical relationship with the material to inform her work.
Abbie’s work is inspired by the natural world, exploring the relationship between art and ecology, materiality and abstraction. Through sculpture, film photography and videography, she questions human interaction with nature, often using materials such as wild clay and wood.
Joab is a visual artist from Sheffield working across graphic design and filmmaking. His recent work explores the Peak District through film, drawing on deep mapping practices and the influence of artists such as Clifford McLucas and Michael Shanks.
MCAD is proud to present its 20th exhibition in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University. This long-standing collaboration supports emerging makers and reflects our ongoing commitment to nurturing creative networks across the North West.
With thanks to the Radcliffe Trust for their continued support, and to Manchester Met for championing the next generation of makers.
EXHIBITION DETAILS
7th April 2026 – 28th August 2026
Free entrance
Opening Hours:
Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5.30pm
2nd Sunday of the Month, excluding January, 11am – 5pm
EXHIBITION CELEBRATION EVENT
Saturday 18th April, 12pm – 3pm
Join us for a drink and meet the artists.
Enjoy a screening of the Common Ground film from 12pm, followed by an interactive wild clay workshop led by the exhibiting artists. Participants will be guided in creating their own clay piece using responsibly sourced materials, which will later be displayed as part of the exhibition.
The workshop is free but ticketed – please book in advance to secure your place.
Access
We welcome guide and support dogs and kindly ask that all dogs are kept on leads. The exhibition space is currently raised and not directly accessible for wheelchair or mobility aid users. However, the open layout allows the exhibition to be viewed comfortably from a distance.