The world’s first exhibition celebrating the art and design of manhole & drain covers ever!

These well-trodden yet often overlooked works of art that adorn the streets, roads & pavements of Manchester and beyond are given a long over exposure in this exhibition at Manchester Central Library until the end of June 2025.

Amaze at how these heavy industrial designs exemplify art at the heart of cities and towns and witness how they have inspired individuals to photograph, paint, write poems & books, create ceramics, make films and produce interior designs such as fabrics and wallpapers. Our aim is to encourage people to seek out these urban art forms, engage their imaginations, be inspired, and join a community of enthusiasts, knowing that creative activities help improve mental health and wellbeing. The exhibition includes a poetry drain cover from Gothenburg UNESCO City of Literature.

Individuals visiting the exhibition are encouraged to donate to We are Survivors, the Manchester based charity that offers help male survivors of sexual abuse. The exhibition has been created by the Manchester Manhole Collective [https://www.manchestermanholecollective.com/]