Spotlight: Edie Cabot and Isa Origel

This month, following on from Alice, we caught up with Manchester University History of Art students Edie Cabot and Isa Origel as they completed their 10-week placement with us. During their time at Castlefield Gallery, Edie, Isa and Alice conceived, designed and delivered their own public event, Sensing the (un)familiar, presented in response to It Requires Getting Lost.

The event was a great success, and we’re pleased to share a selection of images from the evening, captured by volunteer photographer Grey Hannan.

Edie: Hey! I am a student currently in my third year at the University of Manchester, studying Art History and History. I have been completely my placement in the gallery as Curatorial Assistant since September 2025, and have loved it. I am particularly interested in working within non-profit galleries, and gaining hands-on experience at Castlefield Gallery has been paramount in solidifying this interest.

Isa: Hello! I am currently a third year Art History student at the University of Manchester. I started my placement at the gallery in early October of last year! I love visiting artistic spaces such as galleries and museums and I find taking part in cultural events very enriching.

Edie: Before my placement began, I had visited Castlefield Gallery many times before, and was struck by the ‘community-centric’ approach to both the gallery’s ethos and exhibitions. Having worked in community-work before, I felt as if the placement here offered me the best opportunity to intersect my previous experience with the industry which I was eager to get involved in. The opportunity seemed unparalleled, and I have been struck by how the sense of community within the gallery extends also to the team of people that you work with.

Isa: I had visited the gallery a couple of times prior to my placement where not only did I get the opportunity to see new and exciting work, but I also got to learn about its mission to make art accessible to all as well as its deep ties to local artists, values that deeply resonate with my own views. Furthermore, I knew this opportunity would allow me to gain valuable experience in working within the cultural sector, providing me with knowledge as well as the chance to engage with the energetic artistic culture of the region.