Bradford Impressions Gallery Visitor Numbers Expected to Double in City of Culture Year

Impressions Gallery in Bradford is on track to double its visitor numbers in 2025 during the city's year as UK City of Culture, expecting over 22,000 visitors compared to 11,320 in 2024. The gallery's latest exhibition, Make Yourself at Home – Stories from Bradford, features works by five photographers who explore diverse aspects of the city including its markets, open spaces, and Eastern European communities, with a focus on family and cultural identity. The exhibition includes contributions from local photographers Laura Mate, Nathan McGill, and Karol Wyszynski, alongside national artists Anselm Ebulue and Tori Ferenc, whose portraits reflect themes of heritage and community continuity. Anne McNeill, the gallery director, credited the City of Culture status for attracting many new visitors alongside regular patrons, boosted further by the gallery's proximity to major city center events and festivals. The gallery has also launched a Bradford Family Album, a collection of family photos from across the city's communities, further highlighting the exhibition's theme of family and belonging. This surge in visitors underscores the impact of cultural programming in revitalizing Bradford’s city center and engaging a broader audience.