Volunteer Spotlight: Charlie McGee

Posted on 16 December 2023

This month we have asked Volunteer Charlie McGee to contribute to our Volunteer Spotlight series where we are asking volunteers to share their experience with us.

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Hi Charlie! Tell us a little about yourself. How long have you been volunteering with Castlefield Gallery?

Hello! I’m Charlie, I am a recent Fine Art and Curating graduate from MMU and a practicing artist. My art work mainly explores transsexuality in the online world; and I work in sculpture, digital art, and painting. Before volunteering at Castlefield Gallery, I was an Exhibition Ambassador at the Venice Biennale which gave me a taste for working in museums and galleries which I want to continue building a career within. I began volunteering at Castlefield Gallery in October 2023.

What made you want to volunteer here?

Since graduating from uni, I found that if I wanted to stay connected to the art world I would have to go out of my way to do so. I had been to Castlefield Gallery many times before deciding to volunteer here- I’ve really enjoyed all the exhibitions that I’ve seen here and I like how involved it is with early career artists/recent graduates. Prior to volunteering at Castlefield Gallery, I volunteered with Venture Arts which I really enjoyed- I helped out with embroidery workshops and other things here and there. I wanted to continue committing time to Manchester’s art scene and so I decided to volunteer at Castlefield Gallery.

What’s your favourite thing about volunteering at Castlefield Gallery?

I like talking to the visitors and hearing their thoughts on the work- It’s an interesting experience spending an extended amount of time in a gallery environment as you become really familiar with the artwork in a way you wouldn’t if you were only visiting!

What would you say to someone who’s thinking of volunteering with Castlefield Gallery?

Definitely do it! It’s great because it’s so flexible and you can do shifts that fit around your other commitments. The other volunteers and staff make it so worth it too!