Winning an award at a ceremony celebrating the outstanding contributions of Black residents in the Greater Manchester area topped off a “beautiful evening” for a Bermudian artist last week.

Gherdai Hassell received the art and culture accolade at the Black Futures Awards 2026 at Manchester Museum on Friday.

The award recognised her “outstanding achievement, dedication and contribution” to her profession.

“I’m so pleased and delighted for the winning of the award. It was a bit unexpected but I’m very grateful,” Ms Hassell said.

“It was a beautiful evening, there were reception drinks, music and networking opportunities.

“In the room were many people across disciplines who are doing excellent in their fields.”

The 35-year-old multimedia artist operates a studio in an old textile mill in Manchester. She also delivers workshops for refugees and offers mentoring and support.

Ms Hassell, a former Berkeley Institute pupil, who moved to England in 2020 after previously being based in China, is also a British Council Venice fellow for 2026.

Upon being announced as a winner, she went up to collect her award and gave a short acceptance speech.

“All the chairs were gone, there were people standing at the side,” she added.

“It was a full house.”

The focus now turns to a three-year practicce-based PhD at Liverpool John Moores University.

Ms Hassell will be researching different materials and using them in her art as she develops a body of work.

The Black Futures Awards took place at the start of Black History Month in Britain.

They recognise individuals, businesses and organisations whose work is making a positive contribution to communities while helping shape opportunities for future generations.

Nominees may come from business, education, community work, culture, health, public service and many other areas of life.

Ms Hassell has had her work displayed across the world.

Bermuda residents and visitors can view some of her art in the An(Other) Worldexhibition at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art