Paulette was invited to be an Associate member of Manchester Academy of Fine Arts (AMAFA) on 25 March 2024. Read more about the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts (MAFA) below.
MAFA stands for Manchester Academy of Fine Arts. Although we have several things in common with art galleries and museums, we also have a wider role. MAFA encourages the practice of art as well as helps to promote the understanding and appreciation of fine art.
This means that MAFA is run by artists, just as it was over 160 years ago when it was first set up by some of the greatest North-West artists of the day. Each member must be a practising artist and elected by their peers in recognition of their work. Our members have many different techniques and styles, but they all share a passion for art and the belief that art can help shape the world we live in.
We don’t receive funding from charities or local authorities and so we are reliant upon the support of our members, visitors and friends to continue our work.
The Manchester Academy of Fine Arts links to Manchester go back to 1858 when James Astbury Hammersley, who was head of the Manchester School of Art, took part in the formation of the Manchester Academy. He was elected its first President on the 28th of May 1858.
Since then many of its members such as Alfred Waterhouse went on to design Manchester Town Hall and many other public buildings in the city. Academy member Ford Maddox Brown spent the latter years of his life painting the twelve works known as the Manchester Murals depicting Mancunian history commissioned for Manchester Town Hall by the City Council.
Its members designed the University, and created public sculptures throughout the city.
There have been many renowned artists amongst its members including L. S. Lowry who was a member for over 40 years. Today MAFA remains committed to promoting fine art to the people of the Northwest through exhibitions and education.
In recent years we have introduced Associate Membership, from which eligible artists can progress to full Academician. Professional practising artists are elected by their peers in recognition of the quality of their work which demonstrates a wide range of approaches, techniques and styles. They all share a passion for art and members work in the belief that the arts can help reflect, record and shape the world we live in as have previous members of our Academy.
In the 21st Century the arts still enrich our lives, as practitioners or consumers. Our development of Friends of MAFA is aimed at keeping those who have an enthusiasm for visiting our exhibitions, for collecting the work of our artists and supporting the galleries who provide us with exhibition space, informed.
Our exhibitions feature new and existing artwork by MAFA members. Private views, talks, tours, specialist and skills sharing workshops, collaborative painting sessions and projects supporting emerging artistic talent are all part of MAFA’s regular activities programme.
