Rochdale Artist Hayley Garner Honoured as Creative of the Year
Multi-disciplinary artist and curator Hayley Garner, widely recognised by her artistic moniker AYLO, has been awarded the prestigious title of Creative of the Year at the inaugural Rochdale Cultural Awards ceremony. The impressive event was held at Rochdale Town Hall, celebrating local talent and cultural contributions.
Garner, who was born in Rochdale, is one half of the world-renowned street art duo Nomad Clan. She has significantly enriched the local urban landscape by bringing bold, large-scale murals to Rochdale and Heywood. Her work deeply explores themes of human connection, emotion, and perspective, transforming public spaces through powerful visual storytelling.
Common Walls: Youth Voices Project
In addition to this accolade, Garner has recently concluded what she describes as "one of the most important projects I’ve been part of this year" – the Common Walls: Youth Voices initiative. This project forms a key part of Rochdale’s Youth Arts Festival, known as FAB.
Over the past month, AYLO and the Common Walls team collaborated intensively with a small group of young creatives from Rochdale. They facilitated a series of workshops focused on practical mural skills and the realities of working within the creative industries.
The comprehensive programme covered:
- Idea generation and collaborative design
- CV writing and artist statement development
- Portfolio building techniques
- Scaling artwork for public wall installation
AYLO reflected on the experience, stating, "What stood out most wasn’t just the final mural, but the shift in confidence, ownership and ambition. From day one to completion, the level of growth was clear."
She emphasised the critical importance of such opportunities, noting, "In towns like Rochdale, there is no shortage of talent, but access, guidance and real-world experience aren’t always there. When young people are given the time, space and proper support, they don’t just take part, they step up."
The project has already begun to yield tangible results for the participants, with commissions and new opportunities emerging directly from their involvement.
Lasting Legacy and Public Access
The new murals created through this initiative are now wonderful additions to Rochdale and Heywood's urban art scene. They stand as a lasting legacy of the borough's highly successful year as Greater Manchester's Town of Culture and bolster the case for Rochdale to become the National Town of Culture.
Residents and visitors can explore these artworks and over twenty other stunning murals using the free Common Walls Mural Map. This guide serves as a passport to Rochdale's open-air art gallery, showcasing pieces that narrate the town's unique stories, history, and culture.
Physical copies of the map are available at several locations including Rochdale Town Hall, Fireground, The Baum, Pionero Lounge, Hampton by Hilton Rochdale, Number Ten Gallery, Buckley Menswear, and Number One Riverside. A digital version is also accessible for viewing and download.
