South Square Centre hosted Its Wings Are Almost Free, exhibiting four artworks by women from the Methodist Modern Art Collection. This exhibition illustrated the role women played in the resurgence of interest in religious art in post-war Britain and considered why some women artists are now better known than others. The paintings are testament to the impact of women artists and the MMAC’s far-sighted acquisition of such works early in its collecting history.

Central to the exhibition was a dialogue with the legacy of the Brontë sisters, born in Thornton near South Square. These literary pioneers serve as a powerful lens for examining the challenges and achievements of strong, creative women, both in the arts and beyond.

In addition, artist Zoë Maxwell hosted a special still life drawing class inspired by Eularia Clarke’s ‘Feeding of the Five Thousand’, whilst Becky Cherriman and Imogen Joyce, artists in residence, gathered visitors’ responses to the collection to feed into a mixed-media collective artwork which was developed from these conversations.

In collaboration with Heritage Hub, five venues in the Methodist Church’s Yorkshire West District exhibited artworks held in the Methodist Modern Art Collection (MMAC), enabling conversations around faith, hidden or overlooked histories, and diverse and marginalised heritage.

This event is part of Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture, and is presented by an organisation involved in Bradford 2025’s Elevate programme, which aims to strengthen, sustain and increase the agility of Bradford’s heritage sector.