As part of the year-long celebrations marking its centenary, Salford City Council will unveil one of the major art commissions in the city’s cultural programme tonight and tomorrow (9th & 10th October). A spectacular living portrait of Salford and its people will be projected onto some of the city’s most iconic buildings, bringing the centenary celebrations to life across the city.

Produced by independent creative producers From The Other, Salford Everywhere is a monumental living portrait of Salford and its people created by award-winning visual artist and filmmaker Matthew Rosier, his most ambitious project to date.

On 9th & 10th October video artworks featuring over 1500 Salfordians will be projected onto buildings in the city, including the iconic Salford Shopping Centre building in Pendleton. A major free event will take place over both evenings from 6-10pm at Peel Park where Rosier’s 45 minute video, shown live twice each night, will be projected at scale onto the University of Salford’s Maxwell Building. The video will be accompanied by a live score celebrating the city’s rich musical heritage, featuring local choirs and brass bands, arranged by Michael Betteridge, with music direction by Salford-based composer and DJ, AFRODEUTSCHE.

Salford Shopping Centre in Pendleton will be illuminated simultaneously each evening (7-10pm) by the 1553 local contributors who feature in the project, silently projected at monumental scale, creating a powerful tribute to the people who make up Salford’s story.

From pigeon fanciers, NHS workers and builders to supermarket teams, school children, chess players, dementia support groups, food bank charity teams, local athletes and Royal Mail staff, Salford Everywhere captures the spirit of the city through the people who make it.

Speaking about the artwork and its premiere, artist Matthew Rosier said: “I’ve always loved working with the people of Salford. This city has such a strong social identity and history, from the first publicly funded park, Peel Park, where our project culminates, to the social clubs, where groups and teams from across the city participated in the film. Having spent a month editing the footage of over 1500 Salfordians, what comes through is the humour, togetherness and toughness of this place.”

Mark Carlin, Co-Director, From The Other, added: "It's a true culmination of the commission, seeing so many Salfordians projected 20m tall above the park (and 75m tall in Pendleton)! This is not just a public spectacle, it’s an important project about representation and collective identity in 2026. We had so much fun making this with people from all walks of life from across Salford. It was a vital reminder about just how much as humans, we have in common."

Supported by public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, the cultural programme for Salford’s centenary has been exploring the past, celebrating the present and imagining the future of Salford through a series of art commissions and community events.

The programme has been bringing communities together and celebrating civic pride since April this year, each commission has been designed to ensure world-class culture is accessible to all, with all events free to attend, cementing Salford as a cultural hub for the arts.

Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Sports and Leisure at Salford City Council said:

“There’s already been such a huge programme of activities that residents have been enjoying throughout the year, and now it’s time to get ready for some more unmissable moments as we continue to celebrate Salford’s centenary.

“We’re so proud to be working with these brilliant creative organisations based here in Salford and delighted that we’re able to provide these events for free for our residents.

“These are truly unique experiences for everyone to enjoy and will be the culmination of special collaborations and community engagement from across the city

participated in the film. Having spent a month editing the footage of over 1500 Salfordians, what comes through is the humour, togetherness and toughness of this place.”

Mark Carlin, Co-Director, From The Other, added: "It's a true culmination of the commission, seeing so many Salfordians projected 20m tall above the park (and 75m tall in Pendleton)! This is not just a public spectacle, it’s an important project about representation and collective identity in 2026. We had so much fun making this with people from all walks of life from across Salford. It was a vital reminder about just how much as humans, we have in common."

Supported by public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, the cultural programme for Salford’s centenary has been exploring the past, celebrating the present and imagining the future of Salford through a series of art commissions and community events.

The programme has been bringing communities together and celebrating civic pride since April this year, each commission has been designed to ensure world-class culture is accessible to all, with all events free to attend, cementing Salford as a cultural hub for the arts.

Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Sports and Leisure at Salford City Council said:

“There’s already been such a huge programme of activities that residents have been enjoying throughout the year, and now it’s time to get ready for some more unmissable moments as we continue to celebrate Salford’s centenary.

“We’re so proud to be working with these brilliant creative organisations based here in Salford and delighted that we’re able to provide these events for free for our residents.

“These are truly unique experiences for everyone to enjoy and will be the culmination of special collaborations and community engagement from across the city. It will be amazing to see so many local Salfordians being a part of these events and I encourage everyone to come along and join us for what will be some really special moments within our city’s centenary year.”

The Centenary celebrations continue across the city throughout the rest of the year. The next major event will be the Wagon Train finale - a pop-up festival which has been travelling around Salford all summer, set for its biggest edition yet with a spectacular finale event on 25th October in Seedley Park.

ENDS

For more information on Salford100’s cultural programme, assets and interview opportunities please contact:

Carousel PR:

0161 302 0206 / salford100@carouselpr.com

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Matthew Rosier makes public artworks with communities across the UK and internationally. His projects take place in everyday public spaces, using film, sound, projection, performance, and spatial design to create collective moments. While projects are often large in scale, they remain rooted in daily life and local connection.

Rosier’s work has been installed in public spaces in London, Paris, Austin, and Tokyo, and commissioned by institutions such as Somerset House, Historic Royal Palaces, the National Landscapes Association, British Council Japan, and the UK Space Agency.

matthewrosier.com

ABOUT FROM THE OTHER

Independent creative producers, From The Other, specialise in innovative work and live music productions, with a focus on championing underrepresented artists and grassroots culture.

Their flagship event, Sounds From The Other City, has been celebrated as one of the UK's leading independent festivals, offering a platform for diverse voices and transformative live experiences for the past 20 years.

Since founding as a year-round organisation in 2023, From The Other has further developed its work with some of the most exciting boundary-pushing artists in the UK, whilst continuing to foster the collaborative and community-centred ethos of alternative and DIY music culture.

fromtheother.com

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