Together We Rise: Creative collaboration visually brings story of James Sadler to life for Manchester’s architecture & design community.

The unique life of English innovator, James Sadler, will be told in a visual collaboration.

This brings together Manchester-based design house, BOBO1325, Material Source Studio, and the city’s NOMA neighbourhood for a celebratory project of Sadler’s legacy, Together We Rise.

Celebrating 10-years since Sadler’s Yard in NOMA was named in a public vote, the district has teamed up with illustrator, Beth Travers of BOBO1325 – a Partner here at the Studio – to artistically chart the life of pastry chef-turned-balloonist Sadler in a series of hand-painted pieces.

These bespoke paintings will be unveiled quarterly through live drawing sessions by Beth at Material Source Studio – open to those in the architecture and design community to attend. At the end of the 12-month project, the art will be used as part of installations around NOMA – from murals to printed fabric and furniture.

Walking tours will also be hosted by Manchester writer Hayley Flynn who brings a placemaking and critical-thinking specialism, inviting local built environment businesses to discover more about Sadler’s role in making NOMA Manchester’s first hot air balloon launchpad and lesser known stories as seen through an alternative eye.

The first of these events takes place on 14 May (click here to book your place), with bookings open to architecture, interior design, and property professionals. Attendees will also be gifted a limited-edition print to take away.

Drawing on why this project is exploring Sadler’s story, Beth Travers, owner of BOBO1325, explains: “Manchester has long been a city of innovation, creation, and discovery. A city of freedom and authenticity. In the words of Tony Walsh ‘This is the place’. It’s this city that lets those who are found be exactly as they are and those that are lost discover who they really are – without fear, without judgement.

“History tells us that it has always been ‘the place’ for characters. For it’s this city James Sadler chose to launch one of his balloon flights from despite warnings of ‘sky dragons and heavens gates’ he dared to be bold defying aristocracy and societal expectations. Great design is about storytelling and how we, the creators, make people feel, tapping into the sub conscious to evoke feelings of calm, joy, peace, happiness and wonderment. And James Sadler has one hell of a story.”

Dominique Murray, associate marketing director at MEPC, developer and asset manager at NOMA, said: “Since he died in 1828, Sadler’s legacy had been lost from popular history. We are proud to carry his name at Sadler’s Yard here at NOMA – a name chosen by the people of Manchester as the result of a public competition in September 2015.

“Today, 10-years-on, Sadler’s Yard is a vibrant destination in our growing neighbourhood, enjoyed by the entire community and beyond who enjoy the offerings of the many local businesses here. One such business being Material Source Studio – a wonderfully supportive destination for the North West’s architecture, design, and property communities.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Beth, alongside Material Source Studio, to bring James Sadler’s story to life in the most beautiful way possible. An original innovator, we feel his narrative is so relevant to the designers of today.”

Darren Clanford, co-founder and creative director of Material Source Studio, comments: “At Material Source Studio, we provide a platform for innovation. The architectural and design community we serve is always on the lookout for what’s new. And so, we champion originality.

“Of course, sometimes, to look forward, we have to look back. And when we heard James Sadlers’ story, and the way our Studio Partner Beth of BOBO1325 planned to bring it to life visually, we were really keen to extend our support in helping to facilitate this – offering our Manchester Studio as a hub for Beth to meet with architects and designers, to show her brilliant skill in situ.

“NOMA was the home of our first Studio so will always be a special neighbourhood to us. We’re delighted to be involved in this 10-year celebration of Sadler’s Yard, through the ‘Beautifully Useful’ project that’s being undertaken.”

Together We Rise will take place over the next 12-months, with a series of walking tours, and four bespoke artworks created, alongside limited-edition collector’s prints. If you’re an architect, designer, or property professional and would like to book onto an event, head to our What's On.