This autumn, something pretty special is happening in and around Bradford—and it’s not just for art buffs or churchgoers. It’s for anyone who’s ever wondered about the big stuff—like faith, hope, and the world we live in—and how that all connects with creativity.
From Saturday 6th September to Sunday 12th October 2025, a unique exhibition called Everything is Connected will be popping up across five venues. But this isn’t your typical gallery crawl. It’s more like a city-wide invitation to think, feel, and maybe even question things.
Big ideas, local vibes
The show is built around 23 original pieces from the Methodist Modern Art Collection—some of which have never been shown in public before. These aren’t your dusty old portraits or endless landscapes either. Think stained glass and abstract paintings tackling things like climate change, conflict, and what it means to have faith in a complicated world.
For instance, one of the new stars of the show is “Preaching” by George Walsh, a stained-glass piece with serious presence. Then there’s “Love Triumphant” by John Reilly—a bold, abstract oil painting that you can’t help but stare at.
And these works aren’t all crammed into one white-walled room. They’re spread across spots like Bradford Cathedral, Ben Rhydding Methodist Church, and even Woodhouse Grove School. Some cafes and bars along North Parade are getting involved too—because why shouldn’t you sip your coffee next to thought-provoking art?
It’s not just about looking—it’s about doing
Here’s the cool part: this isn’t just a “walk around and look quietly” kind of exhibition. The organisers want people to get involved. There’ll be workshops, creative events, and chances to respond to the art in your own way—whether that’s painting, writing, dancing, or just chatting about it with someone over a cuppa.
They’re even bringing in an Artist in Residence and a Creative Writer in Residence, thanks to support from the Gibbs Trust. So expect fresh ideas, new stories, and probably a few surprises too. The full event list is still under wraps but will drop in summer 2025.
Telling the stories we’ve ignored
A big theme of Everything is Connected is digging into things we often skip over—especially the stories of women and people from marginalised backgrounds. The aim is to explore hidden histories, give space to unheard voices, and make everyone feel like they’re part of the conversation.
At Woodhouse Grove School, for example, they’ll be looking at what hope means in a school where students come from all over the world. Elsewhere, the focus might be on faith in times of peril—from global conflict to the everyday fears that keep us up at night.
Where you’ll find it all
Here’s a quick look at the main venues:
- Bradford Cathedral
- Ben Rhydding Methodist Church
- South Square Centre, Thornton
- St James’ Church, Thornton
- Woodhouse Grove School, Apperley Bridge
Each one will focus on a different part of the exhibition’s wider theme. And if you want a bit more info while you’re exploring, an Art Trail leaflet will be available by summer 2025.
Why this matters (even if you don’t think you like art)
Art can be weird, beautiful, confusing, or just plain lovely to look at. But the real power of a collection like this is what it makes us think about—how we live, what we believe, and how we treat each other. And when that art is created with faith, love, and a dose of creative bravery, it becomes something more. It becomes a conversation.
As Professor Ann Sumner, Chair of the Methodist Art Collection Management Committee, puts it: “It is hugely rewarding to see communities already responding to the Collection and how differently our works speak to individuals.” That’s what it’s all about.
Want to get involved?
Whether you’re an artist, a writer, a volunteer, or just curious—there’s space for you. For more info or to join in, visit https://ywmethodist.org.uk/bradford2025/.
Oh—and if you’ve never been to Bradford before? Now’s the time. The city’s buzzing with City of Culture energy, and this exhibition is a big part of that. Expect a warm welcome, lots of conversation, and maybe a new way of seeing the world.
