Volunteer Spotlight: Harriet Westgarth
Posted on 11 February 2025
This month we have asked Volunteer Harriet Westgarth to contribute to our Volunteer Spotlight series where we are asking volunteers to share their experience with us.
Hi Harriet! Tell us a little about yourself. How long have you been volunteering with Castlefield Gallery?
I have been working at Castlefield Gallery since June this year and have really been enjoying the opportunities I’ve been able to partake in. I recently moved to Manchester in 2023 to study a Masters in Painting at Manchester Metropolitan University, and I’ve just started my second year of the course. It has been a really exciting first year in Manchester, as the culture and art communities are so vibrant.
What made you want to volunteer here?
In one of my lecture, they spoke about contemporary art spaces in Manchester. Castlefield Gallery was mentioned several times. Hearing about the history of exhibitors and how the gallery is run, I found it fascinating and wanted to learn more. Upon visiting a recent exhibition opening for 40 Years of the Future: Painting, I admired the space and the atmosphere of the gallery. I visited the Castlefield Gallery website, saw they employed volunteers, and applied straight away.
What’s your favourite thing about volunteering at Castlefield Gallery?
My favourite aspect of volunteering here is being able to learn so much about running a contemporary art space. It is also such a fun environment, with many opportunities to be involved in installing shows or helping at art openings. It has allowed me to meet so many other creative people living in Manchester.
What would you say to someone who’s thinking of volunteering with Castlefield Gallery?
I would say, as someone who has volunteered in art spaces before, this is definitely the space where I have felt most welcome and been given the most opportunities. With multiple contemporary art exhibitions a year in different disciplines, you are able to experience such diverse art, sometimes even being able to speak to the artists personally. Being surrounded by a friendly and inspiring group of people, volunteering at Castlefield Gallery has been a pleasure, and I hope to continue here for a long time.
Thank you Harriet and all our fabulous volunteers for your amazing work!
