Artist-Run Pop-Up Shop, Manchester, 2014
Grotto
In December 2014, I helped create Grotto, a temporary artist-run pop-up shop in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The space was provided free of charge, and became a fully DIY retail environment in the run-up to Christmas, bringing together work from a group of local artists, designers and makers.
The Shop
The project brought together work by multiple artists, designers and makers, with the space collectively curated, managed and staffed. Alongside contributing my own work, I was involved in the installation, the day-to-day running of the shop and selling artworks directly to the public.
The Build
The interior was built from pallet wood, with shelving and display units assembled by hand ahead of opening. A yellow Grotto flag marked the shopfront, seen here behind its roller shutter.
The Brand
The shop’s identity centred on a stag holding a shopping basket on its antlers, set against a bright yellow background, with the tagline “Cashing in on Christmas!” It set a knowing, self-aware tone for a shop that operated outside the usual retail calendar.
Outside the Frame
Grotto operated outside the usual gallery or commercial structures, working instead as both an exhibition space and a point of exchange. Selling work directly to the public sat alongside displaying it, testing different ways of presenting, valuing and circulating what had been made. The project leaned on collaboration and mutual support between everyone involved, using a temporary space to create a visible platform for local creative practice ahead of Christmas.
Commission a Similar Project
If you are planning a pop-up shop, exhibition or short-term retail space that brings several artists’ work together, get in touch.
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What was Grotto?
A temporary artist-run pop-up shop in Manchester’s Northern Quarter in December 2014, offering a fully DIY retail space for local artists, designers and makers in the run-up to Christmas.
Where was Grotto based?
In the Northern Quarter, Manchester, in a space provided free of charge for the run-up to Christmas 2014.
What was Mark’s role in Grotto?
Alongside contributing his own work, Mark was involved in the shop’s installation, its day-to-day running and selling artworks directly to the public.
How was the shop organised?
Grotto was collectively curated, managed and staffed by the artists, designers and makers involved, rather than run through a conventional retail or gallery structure.
Can Moderate Studio help organise something similar?
Get in touch to talk about a pop-up shop, exhibition or short-term retail project bringing multiple artists together.
Selected Work