Original Andy Warhol masterpieces were displayed in a pop-up mobile gallery in Rochdale Town Hall Square during the Side by Side festival, bringing world-famous art directly to the community. The one-day-only exhibition, housed in a specialist fine art transport vehicle, allowed visitors to view iconic works up close, including Warhol’s Self-Portrait with Skull (1978) and Self-Portrait with Platinum Bouffant Wig (1981).
Pop-Up Exhibition Brings Art to the Community
Organised by cultural charity Your Trust in partnership with ARTIST ROOMS (Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland), the mobile exhibition transformed the square into an outdoor creative hub. Festival-goers were able to step inside the truck and experience the artwork without needing to visit a traditional gallery.
In addition to the exhibition, attendees enjoyed interactive art workshops with Warhol-inspired craft sessions for families, a bespoke Warhol ice-cream van offering free treats inspired by his 1959 Ice-Cream Dessert drawing, and a community art showcase featuring vibrant outdoor displays created by Middleton-based community arts group The Aloe Veras.
Teaser for Future Touchstones Partnership
The pop-up event served as a teaser for a larger partnership planned for 2027, when the newly re-developed Touchstones gallery is set to reopen. Mark Doyle, director of Arts, Heritage and Wellness at Your Trust/Touchstones Rochdale, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the people across Rochdale Borough to experience world-renowned art right on their doorstep. At its heart, it’s about making culture accessible to everyone and demonstrates our commitment to opening culture to all."
Ceri Lewis, senior curator at ARTIST ROOMS, added: "Our national collections of art exist for the benefit of everyone, and we are passionate that they be seen and shared right across the country. Today we’ve been able to go that extra mile, driving right into the heart of Rochdale to bring Andy Warhol’s work to the festival."
Festival Highlights Creative Future for Rochdale
The festival atmosphere highlighted an exciting new chapter for Rochdale’s arts scene, proving that world-class culture doesn't always require a trip to a grand museum—sometimes, it comes straight to your local town square. The Rochdale arts festival continues at the Town Hall until Saturday, August 15.
