Saba Anwar

I have been an artist in some form for over fifteen years. I work with watercolours and oils. At the moment I am working on creating Islamic geometry compositions.

I have been an artist in some form for over fifteen years. I work with watercolours and oils. At the moment I am working on creating Islamic geometry compositions.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Purplemintsartbysaba/

E-mail: sabaanwar341@gmail.com

Image is an example of the watercolour paintings I create through Islamic geometric patterns.

Winter Craft Market The GAP

Pick up some unique handmade items whilst supporting local young makers!

Sat 12th Nov & Sat 11th Dec both 11am – 5pm.

Each date will feature totally different stallholders selling an exciting array of gifts and goodies, including crochet fashion, jewellery, mehndi, toys, original artworks & prints, cards, stationary, books, candles and more!

Our market will sit right next to our bustling, cosy cafe as well as The Old Print Works’ own craft market happening at the same time – all in all a great day out.

The GAP, The Old Print Works, 498 Moseley Road, B12 9AH

Back Home – Friction Arts

Back Home is an exhibition of black and white portraits of diverse Brummies, captured by legendary photographer Vanley Burke, at places across the city where they feel at home.

Friction Arts are bringing their ‘Back Home’ project to the Old Print Works, Balsall Heath.

We all have a ‘back home’, whether it’s Mombasa, Karachi, Kingston or Smethwick, there’s somewhere that we recognise as being where we originate from. It may be where we live now, or were born, or even somewhere we’ve never been. Back Home is an exhibition of black and white portraits of diverse Brummies, captured by legendary photographer Vanley Burke, at places across the city where they feel at home.

You can hear stories attached to each photograph about people’s ‘Back Home’ simply by scanning the QR code beneath the portraits with your smartphone camera and clicking the link that appears – for the best experience we advise you to use headphones, where possible.

Back Home explores what it means to belong somewhere, and how people feel about where they are now, and celebrates the individual stories of people in our Brummie melting pot.

How were you? – How are we?

Since May 2021, we’ve been visiting places where people meet in Birmingham like in the street, the markets and local shopping centres and asking people ‘How Were You?’ to find out about people’s experiences of the last couple of years. Whilst we chat with people, artist Ben Jones draws cartoon portraits of them, then adds their words, thoughts, and ideas to the finished portrait. You can see some of them exhibited here.

It’s been an extraordinary privilege to hear people’s stories of our recent times. We’ve been finding out how the pandemic, Black Lives Matter and the wider political landscape have affected their lives, and how they’ve managed to navigate their way through.

We are now asking ‘How Are We?’ continuing open conversations on where we are all now and what people think ‘a’ future looks like.

Exhibition and event dates: The Old Printworks, 498-506 Moseley Road B12 9AH

October 4th-14th 2022 Open Monday-Saturday 12pm-4pm. There will be a special free event on Friday 14th October 6:30-8:30pm talk and discussion with photographer Vanley Burke, and artist Ben Jones. Please book/RSVP your free place via info@frictionarts.com.

Stitching together

Brothers Mark and Richard Gunton contributed a cross-stitch panel to the ‘Our Social Fabric’ tapestry at Moseley Road Baths. Mark writes about the therapeutic value of this activity to Richard, who is currently a care home resident.

Brothers Mark and Richard Gunton contributed a cross-stitch panel to the ‘Our Social Fabric’ tapestry at Moseley Road Baths. Mark writes about the therapeutic value of this activity to Richard, who is currently a care home resident.

Cross-stitching has been a long-standing hobby of mine, started as a form of relaxation and concentration. I always use pre-designed, downloaded patterns to form a finished product – a paint-by-numbers, but with coloured thread instead.

Over the last few months, I was involved in submitting a small piece of work towards the ‘Our Social Fabric’ project that ran on the July and August ‘Second Saturday’ events with Amal Creative at the Old Print Works. The aim of the project was the production of a fabric artwork, now installed in the magnificent Gala Pool at Moseley Road Baths. During the two events, family members of all ages were involved in producing small pieces of fabric that included weaving, crochet, macrame, embroidery and paint, which were put together to make a large-scale installation displayed for everyone to see. Multiple media has been used, including wool, sequins, thread and many more, creating exceptional pieces of art with a common thread related to the Baths – its building, features and main purpose, swimming. An art work for the perfect gallery.

What has made the piece that I have submitted more personal, is that I have worked closely with my younger brother to produce a memento of what is currently a difficult situation.

In Spring 2020, my brother, Richard, suffered a fall, resulting in a major brain trauma that initially caused him being placed in a coma. Once conscious, he had no recollection of the incident. Over time, his retention of long-term memories has surpassed any short-term ones, and this has meant he believes that these events have occurred in the previous few weeks, and not, in actuality, the last few years or even decades. Over the last two years, he has been placed in many professional facilities to aid his recovery, which, during one placement, resulted in him contracting Aspiration Pneumonia leading to hospitalisation. Since then, he has been confined to a wheelchair, fed through a PEG into his stomach and most conversation is non-verbal. His most recent institution is aiming to improve his movement through physiotherapy, speech & music therapy and psychological care.

For the piece, we worked together to produce small parts of the design. He held the pre-threaded needle, whilst I gently guided it to the point in the pattern which required stitching, so that I could pull the point of the needle from the rear of the material producing the requisite stitch. We did this for short periods of time on each visit I made to his current Care Home. On several occasions, he gently held a pair of embroidery scissors and helped cut the thread when necessary. Obviously, the time taken to produce the finished item between the two of us at regular visits would have surpassed the completion date, so I continued the work in between.

I submitted the completed pattern on the requisite date and took a picture of a large number of the finished pieces, before they were eventually pieced together for the final product. Each time I visited I showed him the photograph and he always recognised our work.

I am extremely proud that we have been just a small part of a beautiful ‘Social Tapestry’ that will be seen for many years to come. So much so, I have printed a picture of the artwork, which will be displayed in Richard’s room as a constant reminder and recognition.

Monica Perez Vega

Monica Perez Vega is an artist-curator and educator whose work explores ideas of uncertainty and adaptation.

Monica Perez Vega is an artist-curator and educator whose work explores ideas of uncertainty and adaptation.

She is originally from California, but has lived in Montreal, Amsterdam, London and currently Birmingham, UK. Her experiences of continually starting over have led to a process which investigates cycles of change.

Monica has an MFA in painting from the Slade School of Fine Art and a BFA in painting and drawing from the California College of the Arts. In 2016, she co-founded Hiraeth Magazine and Podcast and in 2020, she founded Small Works Art Gallery. Recent exhibitions include Beep Painting Biennial 2022 in Swansea/ Weary Harold at ASC Gallery in London 2022/ Wild Grapes at Unit 3 Project Space, London 2021/ ArtWorks Open 2020 at Barbican Arts Group Trust in London/ RBSA Prize Exhibition 2020 in Birmingham/ ‘To the Trees,’ solo exhibition at SUPA Gallery, Birmingham (Online).

Monica has experience teaching art to all ages. She taught IB Visual Art and Design for five years at the International School of Hilversum, Netherlands. She taught art and design at Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst. As an associate artist for Ikon Gallery, she led an after school art club with students at the Small Heath Leadership Academy in response to the Hew Locke commission. she also led Ikon’s first virtual Family Saturday Art Workshop during lockdown and facilitated an in-person outdoor workshop for adults. Additionally, in 2021, she was guest artist/ workshop leader for the Gallery 37 artist residency with Punch Records at Centrala Gallery in Birmingham.

Website: www.monicaperezvega.com

Instagram: @monicaperezvega

Address: The Old Print Works, Balsall Heath

E-mail address: info@monicaperezvega.com

The Other~Wise Summer School

A free, experimental learning programme created by and for young people aged 15 – 21.

A free, experimental learning programme created by and for young people aged 15 – 21

​​1st – 12th August 2022

~ Ever wondered how learning could be more caring, creative and relevant to our lives?
~ What must we learn in order to survive and thrive in today’s world?
~ And what tools do we need to shape the future for the better?

These are some of the questions that we, The Culture Collective – a group of 15 – 21 year olds who meet weekly at The GAP – have been asking ourselves for the past few months. In response to our explorations, we’ve created The Other~Wise Summer School, a free programme of creative workshops, cultural activities and critical conversations designed and led by us for our peers.

We will explore…
~ ART + CRAFT
~ NATURE + CLIMATE
~ SOCIAL JUSTICE
~ HEALTH + WELLBEING
~ IDENTITY + CULTURE
~ PLAY
~ plus loads more!

Join us on this exciting journey to re-imagine our education, be inspired, + open our minds to new possibilities…


​Exact dates, times and programme still to be confirmed.

Sign up here to receive updates & get involved! – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNBwXlYfWzIz2W3dexOog_jYw0-PTrEzrYmqvupDsoEuUomA/viewform

More information at https://www.thegapartsproject.co.uk/the-other-wise-summer-school.

IKON’s Migrant Festival – Balsall Heath events

IKON Gallery have their fourth annual Migrant Festival coming up. There are three events happening in Balsall Heath.

IKON Gallery have their fourth annual Migrant Festival coming up. There are three events happening in Balsall Heath.

Artist’s talk: A Joyful Noise with Faisal Hussain

Artist’s talk: Osman Yousefzada and Ian Francis

Mosaic Road photo studio  

From City of Empire to City of Diversity at Moseley Road Baths

Join Sampad at Moseley Road Baths as they take you on a visual journey, exploring how Birmingham changed from being a City of Empire in 1889 to the City of Diversity it is today.

Join Sampad at Moseley Road Baths as they take you on a visual journey, exploring how Birmingham changed from being a City of Empire in 1889 to the City of Diversity it is today.

The city’s changing population is shown through images from the Library of Birmingham’s important collections, including captivating portraits of people photographed by the Dyche studios over several decades.

The exhibition includes personal stories of migration and settlement by those who came to Birmingham and put down roots in the city.

In the year that sees the city host the Commonwealth Games, From City of Empire to City of Diversity explores how Birmingham’s connections to the British Empire have shaped it’s past, present and future.

Opening Times can be found here. This is a free exhibition, no booking required. 

Tappay Tales Showcase ‘Sada Chiryaan da Chamba’

Showcase performance of a project about Pakistani culture and heritage explored through creative writing inspired by old folk songs.

Showcase performance of a project about Pakistani culture and heritage explored through creative writing inspired by old folk songs.

Join Abda Khan, the creative writing participants of the Tappay Tales Project, actors Jaya Khazaei and Ravneet Sehra and poet Sharena Lee Satti for a unique event, with nostalgic music, enchanting storytelling, moving drama and emotive spoken word, exploring the connections between traditional old folk sounds and Pakistani culture, history and heritage.

19th July, 7pm, Hexagon Theatre, Midland Arts Centre (Tickets £6)

20th July, 1pm, Moseley Community Hub (Free event)

21st July, 1pm, Highfield Hall Community Centre (Free event)

Our Social Fabric drop-in workshops

Help to create a large-scale, fabric installation in the Gala Pool at Moseley Road Baths.

Help to create a large-scale, fabric installation in the Gala Pool at Moseley Road Baths.

Join us for weaving, crochet and embroidery. Family fun with no experience necessary!

Daily Thread, The Old Print Works (Front Entrance, 1st Floor)

Saturday 9th July and Saturday 13th August

12:30pm – 3:30pm

Part of Balsall Heath Second Saturday.  Supported by Birmingham City Council’s ‘Celebrating Communities’ fund as part of Birmingham 2022.

www.artworkshallgreen.co.uk/our-social-fabric

hello@artworkshallgreen.co.uk

Breaking Bread

A photographic journey of cooking and companionship in Birmingham immigrant communities.

A photographic journey of cooking and companionship in Birmingham immigrant communities.

An exhibition by Francesco Falciani

Darkroom Birmingham
The Old Print Works 
506 Moseley Road 
Balsall Heath
B12 9AH

Evening reception Thursday 30th June 7-9pm
Exhibition runs until 20th July,
Tues-Thurs 10-3,
Saturday 9th 11-4 and by appointment.

One of my earliest memories with my mother was when I was small enough to have my hand round her leg and feeling the motion of her body as she was chopping and cutting food ingredients. That is a beautiful memory!

Sadie, Spring 2022, Change Kitchen

Breaking Bread is an ongoing, research led, documentary photography project by Birmingham based photographer Francesco Falciani. He writes: 

‘Sharing food has always been an obsession for me. I have always seen this as a way to reach people, an integral part of how I communicate my love and affection, how I try to inspire trust. Being an immigrant has made this aspect of my character even more important, an instrument to remember who I am and where I come from but also a way to integrate in the country I choose to live in. ‘

Through photography and interviews I have been exploring the way people feel the emotional and ritual element of cooking and eating together.’

This project was developed through the 15 Frames exhibitions programme at darkroom Birmingham, and in association with Change Kitchen CIC.

Art Works gathering and AGM 2022

This is a space where artists, makers, community convenors and anyone interested in the power of participatory arts can come together to help build our creative community over a relaxed pot-luck lunch.

This is a space where artists, makers, community convenors and anyone interested in the power of participatory arts can come together to help build our creative community over a relaxed pot-luck lunch.

What can you give this community? What do you want to get out of this community?

We’ll be asking:

  • How might we make our neighbourhoods viable places to make and create art?
  • How might we engage more people in community arts and making?
  • How might we ensure that local artists can pursue meaningful creative careers?

In the spirit of sharing generously, all attendees are invited to prepare a 3 minute presentation on their work so we can all get a flavour of what others in our area are up to. You can be as creative as you want – present in person, prepare a powerpoint, perform something you’re working on, show us your finest work, pre-record a film…

We also are welcoming contributions to our pot luck lunch. This would ideally be lovingly homebaked soulfood, but we also have no issue with food foraged from the Lidl across the road!

Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy

Birmingham is a city of thousands of creative trades from jewellery making to grime music and yet its biggest asset is ‘the people’. Birmingham is in the process of developing a new Arts and Culture Strategy for the  next decade. A range of meetings have been planned to give the people of Birmingham a chance to have their say. 

Birmingham is a city of thousands of creative trades from jewellery making to grime music and yet its biggest asset is ‘the people’. Birmingham is in the process of developing a new Arts and Culture Strategy for the  next decade. A range of meetings have been planned to give the people of Birmingham a chance to have their say. 

Whether you have a passion for Creativity, Arts and/or Culture or you just want to share your ideas, we would invite you to join us in smaller discussions focussing on ‘your experience of creativity, arts and culture, the councils role and shaping the vision for the future.’

Your views matter and will contribute towards beginning to paint the picture of what the creative future of Birmingham should look like by 2032.

The first meeting will take place on the 10th of June at Wynner House in Birmingham City Centre 10:00 – 12:00. Click here to book a place.

If you are unable to attend this meeting, there are other opportunities to take part this month. Please see our schedule here.

More Information

To keep up with news about the visit our designated webpage:  Big Creative Birmingham Conversation

Take part in the Big Creative Birmingham Conversation questionnaire:

Big Creative Birmingham Conversation Survey

For any queries email us at bigcreativebirmingham@birmingham.gov.uk

NB: please feel free to pass this invitation on to any of your contacts/organisations who you think might be interested.

Sophia Moffa

Sophia Moffa’s practice is focused on the connections between the plant kingdom and society, commenting on contemporary issues of privilege and inequalities within society.

Sophia Moffa’s practice is focused on the connections between the plant kingdom and society, commenting on contemporary issues of privilege and inequalities within society.

She uses natural found materials which she sources within the urban green spaces, creating works that often transforms in parallel with the seasons in the city where she lives. Her work is influenced by the belief that we live in an oversaturated environment, which clouds and persistently feeds the mind. Due to this, her works are cyclical, temporary, and sustainable.

Moffa often works collaboratively with artists across different countries to build on a more collaborative art world and practice. This year she also set up “the travellers’ tree” a CIC which runs art workshops in nature for asylum seekers living in hostels across the West Midlands. Merging art, physical activities, and nature together to enable refugees to have a safe space to express themselves. She has run workshops for the Canal & River Trust, Super Slow Ways, Amal and the New Art Gallery Walsall.

Website: www.sophiamoffa.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/s_moffa

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiamoffa/

E-mail: moffasophia@gmail.com

The Travellers’ Tree

A community interest group bringing art, cycling and nature together for asylum seekers in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

A community interest group bringing art, cycling and nature together for asylum seekers in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Website: sophiamoffa.com/the-travellers-tree

Twitter: https://twitter.com/travellers_cic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_travellers_tree/

E-mail: travellerstree.cic@gmail.com

Supporting Healthcare through Arts

Call out for Artists who could deliver Arts in Health sessions.

Call out for Artists who could deliver Arts in Health sessions.

The Arts in Health Project funded by BCHC Charity aims to deliver a far-reaching, accessible and participatory arts and cultural programme for the patients and healthcare workers of Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. This helps to improve the mental health and wellbeing of patients and staff through arts sessions.

We are offering paid opportunities for freelance artists who are able to deliver bespoke artistic sessions; either directly to patients on wards, or to our hard working healthcare staff in numerous settings.

The wide ranging benefits of arts in healthcare include supporting physical, mental and emotional health as well as improving recovery through decreasing anxiety, relieving stress, boosting confidence and raising morale.

Arts Sessions currently offered by BCHC Charity

Thanks to generous grants, fundraising and donations, BCHC Charity offer the following types of sessions:

  • Music – including live performances by musicians, or interactive sessions e.g. drumming workshops.
  • Movement – such as dance or tai chi.
  • Arts and crafts workshops – such as painting, sculpting, mindful colouring etc.
  • Drama, including live performances or interactive workshops.

We are always looking to broaden our network of artists.

Do you think you can offer something new?

If you are a freelance artist who could provide an Arts in Health session and would like to know more please contact: rashad.gregory1@nhs.net

Artist opportunity – paid role in Sparkbrook

Are you a community artist with availability in June and July?

As part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival for the Commonwealth Games, Art Works are very pleased to share that we have been successful in a public vote for both Balsall Heath West and Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East ward ‘Celebrating Communities’ funding.  If you cast your vote for us then thank you!

We want to creatively explore the many and varied journeys that people have made to Balsall Heath and Sparkbrook from both near and far, celebrating the area as a place of refugee and a home to people from around the globe.

As part of developing these plans, we are on the lookout for community artists who can deliver participatory workshops with adults, and possibly some Key Stage 2 pupils, during June and July.  Any work produced will be exhibited to coincide with the Commonwealth Games. You may have noticed our previous callout for this project, but after a period of planning we we unable to appoint an artist and are putting this role out again.

We anticipate that we will be working with two Sparkbrook school parents’ groups and a third community organisation for workshops over six weeks in June and July. These will likely be a 1-2 hour morning workshop each week with each group. However, we are also exploring the option of a more intensive programme, delivered over a few days towards the end of term. We are open to working with an artist who can deliver workshops for all three groups, or three artists working with one group each.

Fee: £1,000 per group (6 sessions at £150 per session, plus £100 planning and liaison)

To apply: Send a CV plus a short paragraph, video or voicenote outlining your interest in the project and how you may approach the brief to hello@artworkshallgreen.co.uk by noon on Friday 27th May.

Darkroom Birmingham

Analogue photography facilities and project space. Since 2012 we’ve been running photography courses, offering use of darkroom facilities, putting on exhibitions and delivering projects.

Analogue photography facilities and project space. Since 2012 we’ve been running photography courses, offering use of darkroom facilities, putting on exhibitions and delivering projects.

Website: www.darkroombirmingham.co.uk

Twitter: @darkroombirming

Instagram: @darkroombirmingham

Facebook: @darkroommbirmingham

Address: The Old Print Works, 506-8 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, B12 9AH

E-mail: info@darkroombirmingham.co.uk

Phone: 07779 159 217

Sonal’s Art

I am an artist, mainly working in acrylics, watercolor, oil paints, resin, alcohol ink.

I am an artist, mainly working in acrylics, watercolour, oil paints, resin, alcohol ink.

I take online kids art classes, half term painting workshops in Cartland Tea Room, Kings Heath and Creative Coffee Hub on Raddlebarn Road. I have participated in Birmingham Open Studios and various art fairs.

Contact: Sonal Gajbe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonalgajbe/

E-mail: sonaldewle@gmail.com

Phone: 07954 144 734