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Galleries at WORK_SPACE Supporting and Showcasing Local ArtistsAbout the GalleriesThe Galleries @ WORK_SPACE make up 1/3 of WORK_SPACE, the Town of Manchester’s Coworking, Meeting & Gallery space in the heart of Downtown. The Galleries consist of the Main Street Gallery (a traditional gallery space), the Loop Gallery (the space connecting the offices and meeting rooms on the first floor), the Creative Commons (a community space for members and guests with private offices, open spaces, kitchen, multi-purpose meeting rooms and a digital story studio) and a Gallery Shop.Prior to 2019, the art spaces were overseen by Manchester Community College, now as part WORK_SPACE which sees art and innovation as tools for social change, the mission of the Galleries is to:explore and celebrate diversitypromote and foster inclusionshowcase and inspire creativityprovoke and challenge thoughthighlight and expand perspectivescreate a network of creative people that would not otherwise share ideas, outlooks, resources and relationships.WORK_SPACE is a flexible and multi-purpose space with multiple venues that can be used for creative workshops, live performances, digital recordings, and artisan pop-ups.The Gallery ShopAn idea that started during the pandemic in 2020, the Galleries wanted a place for artists to not only share works in our exhibits but also share merchandise related to their work and style. The shop features many handcrafted goods from mugs, magnets, books, earrings, cards and more.Hours of OperationMonday – Friday 10am-4pm2nd Saturdays 10am-2pm3rd Thursdays 6:00-8pm Monthly Listening Room/Open Mic*Closed on Federal HolidaysClick here to see a full list of events.Click here for list of CT Office of the Arts Resources ACCESSIBILITY: WORK_SPACE is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment. Our building is ADA accessible and includes an elevator at the rear entrance, as well as push-button door openers on exterior, vestibule, and restroom doors. If you have questions or specific access needs, please reach out to us ahead of time so we can help make your visit as pleasant as possible.PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:WORK_SPACE is accessible by public transportation. CT Transit bus schedules and route information are available at cttransit.com and schedules can be picked up at Town Hall Customer Service Center, 41 Center Street, Manchester, CT, during regular business hours. M, W, Th: 8am-4:30pm, Tuesday: 8am-7pm, Fri. 8am-1pm. Closed Saturday, Sunday, and Federal Holidays. IN THE MAIN STREET GALLERY Roots Run DeepAn Exploration of Indigenous Heritage, Continuity, and ConnectionAugust 14 – October 15, 2026Roots Run Deep is an exhibition dedicated to celebrating and examining the multifaceted nature of Indigenous heritage. This exhibit features works that explore the unbreakable links between past, present, and future. Whether through traditional techniques passed down through generations or contemporary interpretations of identity, this exhibit aims to provide a platform for Indigenous voices to share their stories, struggles, and triumphs. New England artists with a connection to indigenous heritage working in all mediums will be showcased.Come explore ancestral stories, cultural traditions, family histories, identity, migration, resilience, and belonging through artwork, storytelling, poetry, spoken word, music, dance, or other creative expression.Our goal is to create a supportive space where diverse voices, histories, and lived experiences can be shared and celebrated. Submit to Picture ThisPicture This: A Photography & Poetry ExhibitA photograph captures a moment; a poem captures mood and meaning. Together, these two creative practices can build inspiring, dynamic conversations between artists and viewers. Picture This is a collaborative exhibit that brings photographers and poets together to do just that.We invite photographers to submit original images featuring people, places, things—or anything in between. After photographs are selected, they will be shared with poets, who will create original poems inspired by the images.The resulting exhibit will pair photographs with original ekphrastic poetry—poems written in response to visual art—creating a dialogue between image and word, artist and writer, observation and interpretation. Come share the images that inspire you—and discover the stories, memories, and meanings they inspire in others.Photographers and poets of all experience levels are encouraged to participate.Link to Submit: https://bit.ly/PictureThisExhibit2026Photography Submission Deadline: October 1, 2026Photographs Posted for Poets: October 2, 2026Poetry Submission Deadline: October 15, 2026Artwork Drop-Off: Monday, October 19th – Monday, October 26, 2026Second Saturday Poetry Reading & Reception: November 14, 2026 Show Us Your Squirrels​The Manchester Cultural District is creating a collection of original, artist-created squirrels to help us promote the many activities, flavors, identities and experiences that make Manchester a vibrant place to live, work, visit and gather.Draw it. Paint it. Sketch it. Collage it. Stitch it. Sculpt it. Surprise us!We are looking for squirrels in a variety of artistic styles, perspectives, culture, and personalities – from simple stand-alone squirrels we can use throughout our promotions to squirrels enjoying some of the many things happening in Manchester.All ages and skill levels are welcome. There is no fee to submit. Connecticut residents only. See submission form for additional requirements.Link to Submit: https://bit.ly/SubmitASquirrelSubmission Deadline: November 1, 2026 Share your visionCall to ArtistsPerspectives of Fantasy & ImaginationExhibit: December 11, 2026 – January 21, 2027Are you a creator of worlds? A dreamer of the impossible? We are seeking original artwork that pushes the boundaries of reality for our upcoming exhibition, Perspectives of Fantasy & Imagination.This show aims to explore the vast spectrum of the “unre