THE saying goes that behind every successful man is a strong woman. In the case of Charles Rennie Mackintosh he was surrounded by them.

As well as celebrating the work of the architect, designer and artist, this year’s Mackintosh Festival, running throughout October, brings into focus the women around him.

From his wife, artist Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, to Kate Cranston, who commissioned his work for her tearooms, and the group of artists known as the Glasgow Girls, they all played a vital role in shaping his work and setting the style of the era.

Tea, Talk & Tour at Willow Tea Rooms in Sauchiehall Street offers the chance to hear about the history of the establishment and the partnership between its original owner Kate Cranston and Mackintosh while drinking tea in the Room de Luxe.

While Mackintosh research fellow at Glasgow School of Art, Dr Robyne Erica Calvert, will look at the narrative and symbolic aspects of the collaborative work between Mackintosh and his wife at the Glad Café in Shawlands.

And Glasgow Women’s Library will turn the spotlight on the Glasgow Girls of Garnethill, who pioneered European art movements and designed banners for suffragette processions.

There are 13 free events at this year’s festival, including free entry to the Mackintosh House on presentation of a festival brochure, available from today.

From studies of the nature of Art Nouveau to a talk on the challenges restoring the Mack building at Glasgow School of Art and a children’s puppet workshop, this year’s festival opens up the work of the artist to all ages.

“What’s good about this year’s festival is that it works on different levels. If you’re a real Mackintosh aficionado there are great talks, but there are also family activities at Mackintosh venues,” says Ian Elder, chairman of Glasgow Mackintosh.

“This is our fourth year. Obviously the Mackintosh venues are here all year round and attract visitors all the time. To put the festival in context, last year we had more than 1million visitors to Mackintosh venues and 100,000 of them were during last year’s festival.

“The event was set up in recognition of Mackintosh, his talent and genius. Particularly in a Glasgow context – that is what he means to the city and the buildings he is associated with.”

The love of the artist by visitors as well as those living in the city can be seen at the Mackintosh Room at the Lighthouse, which continually attracts repeat visitors.

“We are particularly pleased with the non-Mackintosh venues this year that are holding talks and helping to do tours,” he adds.

“We are looking at Mackintosh’s work from many different angles, it’s not just about buildings. It breathes life into the subject.

“When I speak to visitors who are in the city because of Mackintosh, what they are really interested in in him. Not necessarily all the things he designed, but who he was and what was happening around him.

“If you think about the things he was involved in, even in terms of the tearooms, Miss Cranston was quite a social pioneer in terms of women, having the first businesswomen’s lounge. Although that didn’t directly relate to Mackintosh, he was involved with her in that project.

“The Lightouse has a lifeline that show what Mackintosh was doing when things like the first bottle of Coke was sold. It gives his work some kind of context in terms of where he was and what was happening around him.

“People are interested in who influenced him, who did he influence, how did his influence keep going, and his standing in terms of the overall heritage of Glasgow.”

Must-sees this year are the Nature of Art Nouveau exhibition at the Lighthouse, exploring the movement which brought about an artistic regeneration across Europe, and an exhibition of Mackintosh’s sketches from his Italian study tour at Queen’s Cross.

Brian Park of architects Page/Park will give a talk on the challenges or restoring the burned out Mackintosh building at Glasgow School of Art, and the Hill House in Helensburgh will show Mackintosh’s architect drawings.

There are tours of Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow Art Club and a chance to learn more about the former home of Miss Cranston at Glasgow Museum Resource Centre.

Also life drawing classes at Kelvingrove, and decoupage and stencilling classes at House for an Art Lover.

For young ones, Queen’s Cross is hosting a puppet circus show and juggling workshop, and Scotland Street School Museum has creative family workshops.

Visit www.glasgowmackintosh.com