The Play House – Recruiting Artistic Director

The Play House is recruiting for a new artistic director to take the company on the exciting next step in its journey. They are seeking someone creative, ambitious and determined with a track record of directing, devising and producing education and/or community programmes/performances.

The Play House is recruiting for a new artistic director to take the company on the exciting next step in its journey. They are seeking someone creative, ambitious and determined with a track record of directing, devising and producing education and/or community programmes/performances.

The Play House Theatre in Education Company creates unique and thrilling participatory work delivered in schools and community settings with the aim of creating meaningful participation for every child. Putting young people at the centre of their work, they look to expand children’s aspirations and inspire their curiosity no matter what theme or story they are exploring.  

Deadline for Applications: 12pm, Wednesday 19th January 

Further information: Recruitment packs (including recorded and large print copies) can be found here theplayhouse.org.uk/post/artistic-director-opportunity 

Commonwealth Natural Wonders in Music.

Creating a Commonwealth-wide video celebrating the natural wonders of the Commonwealth through music & art.

​Creating a Commonwealth-wide video celebrating the natural wonders of the Commonwealth through music & art.

Musicians, artists, photographers, creatives & composers – every age, ability, instrument & art form welcome!

This video will feature a ​new piece of music created by Commonwealth musicians, composers & creatives and illustrated by Commonwealth artists & photographers,
to demonstrate the variety & wide array of incredible wild & scenic locations around the Commonwealth, celebrating & sharing the diverse environmental riches in the Commonwealth.

​A contributor doesn’t have to be a performer – you could be an artist or creative illustrating the video, you could be involved in composing & creating the music, you could be a performer on the video.

Your music could be recorded natural sounds, traditional music from your country or practised performance from notated music provided by us.

There are 5 ways to be involved
Click on the coloured title for the application page

1) Submit recordings of Indigenous or Traditional Music from Your Commonwealth country
(eg ethnic drumming or panpipe groups, Haka, traditional chanting etc) 
​​
2) Submit recordings of Sounds of the Natural World from Your Commonwealth country (eg wind through the trees, bird song, the sounds of the waves & waterfalls) 

3) Submit Artworks & Photographs of Natural Wonders from Your Commonwealth country

4) Composer – creator of this new piece of music

5) Performer – musicians: instruments & vocals, any instrument, any ability, any age

This will be a Commonwealth celebration of outstanding local nature around the Commonwealth, released in time for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend in June 2022

​FAQ

  1. You must be currently resident in the Commonwealth country of your nationality
  2. Only individuals can apply, no groups
  3. You can be a contributor in any section that you want, you don’t need to pick just one
  4. You must have access to a smart phone or other video recording device or scanner so that you can get your submissions to us electronically
  5. If you are under 18, a Parent or Guardian must sign the permission form for you to be able to participate
  6. Everyone’s submissions will definitely be featured in one of the project’s videos
  7. This is voluntary, all participants will need to sign a release/permission form for their contributions to be used
  8. Email us with any questions at commonwealthmusic@hotmail.com

Sharonjit Sutton

I am a Birmingham based multi-disciplinary artist and graphic designer who is interested in exploring the communal benefits of art, craft and design.

I am a Birmingham based multi-disciplinary artist and graphic designer who is interested in exploring the communal benefits of art, craft and design. A large part of my creative practice over the past two years has been working on educational, heritage, arts and community projects in the West Midlands, where marginalised communities benefit from the outcomes – such as having a platform to share their stories and/or access creative outlets that are not usually accessible to them.

Website: www.designsloading.co.uk

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

E-mail address: sutton0sharon@gmail.com

Women and Theatre – Lead Artist Practitioner

Award winning company Women & Theatre seeks a highly motivated, experienced individual to join our Artistic team.

Award winning company Women & Theatre seeks a highly motivated, experienced individual to join our Artistic team.

Part-time – 28 hours per week including some evenings and weekends

12 month fixed term contract, with the potential for extension

Salary: £25,000 (Pro Rata)

Women & Theatre is an award-winning theatre company with over 35 years’ experience of working with diverse groups to create exciting drama projects about things that matter. Working in a range of contexts across arts, health and community sectors, our work is united by core values of inclusion and empowerment, giving a voice to those who are not usually heard. We deliver drama activity including workshops, performances and participatory drama projects in a range of settings including theatres, hospitals and community centres. The company also works digitally; delivering creative workshops and projects via platforms like Zoom, and engaging with digital audiences through films and podcasts.

The Lead Artist Practitioner will support the delivery of W&T’s Artistic Vision, working alongside W&T’s core team as well as freelance artists. The role will include some project delivery during evenings and weekends.

The successful candidate will have experience of working with W&T target communities, workshop facilitation, directing, theatre making and project management.

If you have the relevant experience and are interested in working in a friendly, supportive environment, please download an application pack below.

Closing date: 12 noon, Thursday 13 January 2022

First Interviews: W/c 24 January 2022

Women & Theatre welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are particularly interested in increasing the diversity of our team and welcome applications from people of non-white British backgrounds and disabled people who are currently under-represented in our core team.

Connect & Create – Birmingham’s Arts & Health Network event #4

For anyone working in the health and social care sector in Birmingham looking to enhance their knowledge of arts activities which deliver social care outcomes. 

Venue: Midlands Arts Centre, MAC, Cannon Hill Park Birmingham, B12 9QH

When: 10am-4pm, Monday 28th Feb 2022 

Who is it for? 

Anyone working in the health and social care sector in Birmingham looking to enhance their knowledge of arts activities which deliver social care outcomes. 

Connect with: artists; activities; conversations; ideas; people; spaces; taster sessions; venue tours 

Create new: contacts; skills; experiences; knowledge; networks; friendships; ideas; passions; partnerships.

Further details to follow in 2022. 

For more information email: Artsandhealth@birmingham.gov.uk 

Stage2 Youth Theatre

Stage2 is a Youth Theatre and Childrens’ Charity, with an over 30 year history and reputation for high quality shows, workshops and work experience.

Stage2 is a Youth Theatre and Childrens’ Charity, with an over 30 year history and reputation for high quality shows, workshops and work experience.

Website: www.stage2.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Stage2YT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stage2yt/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stage2YT

E-mail: rosa.simonet@stage2.org

Balsall Heath Second Saturday – December 11th

The Cultural Activity Zone brings you Second Saturdays in Balsall Heath, Birmingham.

The Cultural Activity Zone brings you Second Saturdays in Balsall Heath, Birmingham.

This monthly mini festival brings together families and residents to share and experience food, heritage, sport, arts, artisan products and literature. Bringing community organisations and businesses together for a regularly recurring event is a deliberate move to put our often-overlooked neighbourhood on the map, celebrate the diversity found here and promoting community cohesion.

Calling Community Connectors!

OPUS (Outdoor Places, Unusual Spaces) are wanting to engage with Community Connectors as part of plans to develop festival sites across Birmingham as part of the Commonwealth Games. A fee of £2,000 is available.

OPUS (Outdoor Places, Unusual Spaces) are wanting to engage with Community Connectors as part of plans to develop festival sites across Birmingham as part of the Commonwealth Games. A fee of £2,000 is available.

We’re creating front rooms to enjoy the Commonwealth Games across Birmingham. If you’d like to help make this happen, we’re looking for community-based organisations to collaborate with to develop the Birmingham 2022 Neighbourhood Festival Sites.

OPUS poster Community Connectors

We have a particular interest in speaking to groups from these areas / who work in these areas:

  • Castle Vale
  • Edgbaston
  • Handsworth
  • Sparkhill
  • Ward End
  • Yardley

To find out more information, join us at our briefing session on Zoom on Thursday 9th December 2022 at 2pm. Please register via Eventbrite HERE: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/b2022-neighbourhood-festival-sites-community-connectors-briefing-session-registration-217530468487

For more information `about the opportunity and to submit your expression of interest, visit www.opusartsevents.co.uk or e-mail Diandra@opuseartsevents.co.uk.

Printmaker / Visual Artist Required: Birmingham Schools Commission £5000

To celebrate the upcoming 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, six Birmingham schools are working collaboratively in partnership with six schools from Trinidad and Tobago on a project that explores and celebrates the connections and links between our two Commonwealth countries.

To celebrate the upcoming 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, six Birmingham schools are working collaboratively in partnership with six schools from Trinidad and Tobago on a project that explores and celebrates the connections and links between our two Commonwealth countries.

The Birmingham cluster of schools are Billesley Primary School, Raddlebarn Primary School, Kings Heath Boys’ Secondary, St Bernard’s Catholic Primary School, Highters Heath Primary and Woodthorpe Junior an Infants School.

For our project, we are seeking to commission a printmaker or visual artist to work with a cohort of pupils from each school towards creating a fine art exhibition, and a launch event, that will celebrate Trinidad and Tobago culture. We envisage our chosen artist to be able to facilitate and focus on a different process or medium with each school, for example, textiles, lino, dry point, mono print, different painting processes, collage, or digital art techniques.

Each school will adopt one of the following themes from Trinidad and Tobago to explore and then present through visual art:

  • – Geography
  • – Language
  • – History
  • – Food
  • – Climate/ Biodiversity
  • – Music
  • – Culture and Carnival
  • – Sport

By collaborating with the artist, the pupils in each school will contribute to an exhibition that will tell a story of Trinidad and Tobago culture through visual art. The artist will liaise with all stakeholders, and together with the teachers, work towards bringing a high-quality, gallery style, final exhibition together in the summer.

Successful applicants will be accomplished in their professional practice and clearly be able to demonstrate projects within formal education. The total commission is for £5000 (to include travel) at a daily rate of £200 per day. This equates to 4 x days with each of the six schools, a half day to attend planning meetings in January (at least 1 meeting in person with all schools attending) and a further half day for the final event itself. It is anticipated that the schools will be able to supply art materials and/or order anything in that they do not have in stock.

To be considered, applicants must hold an Enhanced DBS Certificate (with barring) or be willing to undergo a new check at their own cost (approx. £50). If you are interested in applying, please email your CV, images of your professional work and work with schools (max email size 7MB) and a paragraph that clearly outlines your skills and your response the brief, to Angie Watson on a.watson@billesleyschool.co.uk by no later than 5th January 2022 at 5pm.

The Birmingham Allotment Project – New General Public Project!

The Birmingham Allotment Project is an exciting new project by General Public exploring the heritage of allotments in Birmingham from the 1960s to the present day.

The Birmingham Allotment Project is an exciting new project by General Public exploring the heritage of allotments in Birmingham from the 1960s to the present day.

Working closely with Birmingham and District Allotment Confederation, allotment associations and plot-holders city-wide, the project will present an alternative social history of Birmingham via its allotment culture. Birmingham has 113 allotment sites, more than any other local authority, and this project aims to inspire, engage and encourage people to learn about allotments, their history and their place in the city today. The project includes:

  • A major exhibition at the Library of Birmingham from October to December 2023.
  • Working closely with six local schools to train young people in making oral histories.
  • Volunteering opportunities: training in how to make oral histories and the chance to help shape the project.
  • Recording memories and stories: 45 oral histories with plot holders and members of allotment associations.
  • Creation of a website, publication and Birmingham allotment archive.
  • An education pack.
  • A touring exhibition visiting allotment sites.

GET INVOLVED

Please get in touch if you are interested in being included in the project!

Your contributions could feature in:

  • A project book and website.
  • An exhibition at the Library of Birmingham in 2023.
  • The project archive.

Birmingham 2022 Festival: GENERATIONS Photography Project

Birmingham 2022 Festival, working with GRAIN Projects and Multistory, presents GENERATIONS, taking place in Birmingham and the Black Country, in celebration of the city and region’s communities during the time of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Birmingham 2022 Festival, working with GRAIN Projects and Multistory, presents GENERATIONS, taking place in Birmingham and the Black Country, in celebration of the city and region’s communities during the time of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The first project of its kind in Birmingham and the Black Country invites four and five generation families to take part and be photographed for exhibition during the Birmingham 2022 Festival, a six month celebration which will spotlight creativity and culture in the West Midlands as part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

GENERATIONS celebrates families, individuals, diversity and the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands in large-scale photographic portraiture.  Based on the format of the family portrait the artist will use a large format camera to work collaboratively with families of four and five generations from across the region.    The photographs will be displayed largescale, will capture details and provoke questions about our life and times.

Artist Julian Germain is seeking to work with four and five generation families from across Birmingham and the Black Country.  If you are interested in your family taking part and being photographed for GENERATIONS contact the team at hello@grainphotographyhub.co.uk   

The group portraits present people at different stages of life; new-borns, infants, children, teens and their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and great great-grandparents. Fundamental questions are raised that relate to us all; life, death, time and the effects of time, where do we come from and where will we go? 

The project will be exhibited largescale in prominent spaces in the public realm, including on billboards, poster and exhibition sites in the region throughout the Birmingham 2022 Festival.

Running from March to September 2022 as part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Birmingham 2022 Festival will feature hundreds of creative commissions across the region including art, photography, dance, theatre, digital art and more. Find out more and register for the latest updates at birmingham2022.com/festival.

GENERATIONS is generously supported by Arts Council England and National Heritage Lottery Fund.

B’opera – Musician Opportunity

B’Opera are seeking a Musician to support their ‘More in Common’ project with Art Works at The Springfield Project in Sparkhill.

B’Opera are seeking a Musician to support their ‘More in Common’ project with Art Works at The Springfield Project in Sparkhill.

Organisation: B’Opera and Art Works Hall Green

Production: More in Common (working title)

Time period: Some rehearsal dates TBC and performance (22nd February 2022)

Hours and fee: As this project in in a R&D phase, this will be decided following an initial conversation with B’Opera. The fee will meet the Living Wage standard of at least £10 per hour.

Location: In rehearsals in Edgbaston, Ladywood, Hall Green and Sparkbrook, Birmingham

The Role: To play for B’Opera’s newly commissioned piece More in Common at The Springfield Project on 22nd Feb 2022, attending rehearsals beforehand.

Person Specification

  • We are particularly keen to hear from people local to Sparkhill where the project is taking place and we actively encourage applications from those who reflect the demographic of those who access The Springfield Project’s services.
  • You are an experienced instrumentalist/musician.
  • Some experience working with children and families, or desire to gain some
  • You may play more than one instrument and be happy to perform on both
  • You may be happy to use your singing voice to add harmonies
  • A positive attitude with a high level of self-motivation and ability to work on your initiative, reliable

How to Apply: Please email a short biography along with any relevant links to your work; and either of the below detailing why you are interested in the role to hello@artworkshallgreen.co.uk

  • A cover note OR
  • A maximum 5-minute voice note
  • Deadline: UPDATED from previous advertised deadline to 5pm on Friday 14th January

For more information about B’Opera, go to www.bopera.co.uk

For more information about the project, go to https://artworkshallgreen.co.uk/bopera-more-in-common

B’opera – Apprentice Artist Opportunity

B’Opera are seeking an Apprentice Artist to support their ‘More in Common’ project with Art Works at The Springfield Project in Sparkhill.

B’Opera are seeking an Apprentice Artist to support their ‘More in Common’ project with Art Works at The Springfield Project in Sparkhill.

Organisation: B’Opera and Art Works Hall Green Production: More in Common (working title)

Time period: From devising (December 2021) to performance (February 2022)

Hours and fee: £10 per hour for 37.5 hours (to be confirmed with B’Opera on appointment)

Location: In meetings/rehearsals online and in Edgbaston, Ladywood, Hall Green and Sparkhill, Birmingham

The Role: The Apprentice Artist will gain all-round experience tailored to their current skills and needs, to include workshop-leading or shadowing, devising, performing, project administration, marketing and contributing to the evaluation. We will also make available CPD and training, for example through the Birmingham Early Years Music Consortium, Sounds of Play. There will be mentoring available, allowing the shadow artist to talk through and reflect on their experiences on the ground, with a structured framework to think about them in ways that will deepen and further their learning. Involvement in this project will give the shadow artist valuable networking opportunities within the sector with the potential to lead to future independent professional opportunities. Art Works will actively seek opportunities to support a Shadow Artist through our networks and other programmes across Hall Green.

Person Specification 

  • We are particularly keen to hear from people local to Sparkhill where the project is taking place and we actively encourage applications from those who reflect the demographic of those who access The Springfield Project’s services.
  • Some music/singing experience 
  • Some experience leading workshops, or desire to gain some
  • Some experience working with children under 5, or desire to gain some
  • Some experience of using social media and creating graphics and posts to communicate effectively
  • Open and honest communication
  • A positive attitude with a high level of self-motivation and ability to work on your initiative

How to Apply: Please email a short biography along with any relevant links to your work; and either of the below detailing why you are interested in the role to hello@artworkshallgreen.co.uk

  • A cover note OR 
  • A maximum 5-minute voice note 
  • Deadline: Friday 26th November, 12 midday

For more information about B’Opera, go to www.bopera.co.uk

For more information about the project, go to https://artworkshallgreen.co.uk/bopera-more-in-common/

FREE Craft Fair stalls for young makers

The GAP is holding a Winter Craft Fair on Saturday 11th December (11.30am – 4.30pm) and we’re offering young makers the opportunity to apply for a FREE stall to showcase and sell their products.

The GAP is holding a Winter Craft Fair on Saturday 11th December (11.30am – 4.30pm) and we’re offering young makers the opportunity to apply for a FREE stall to showcase and sell their products.

The GAP gallery space will be transformed into a mini market of all things hand-made – jewellery, textiles, ceramics, art prints, zines, gifts, etc… you name it! The craft fair will sit right next to our bustling, cosy cafe and will form part of Balsall Heath Second Saturday – a monthly mini-festival celebrating culture and community in the local area – so we’re sure to draw lots of visitors.

Applications are open to all young people (aged 25 and under) living in Birmingham, and we’d especially love to involve those living in Balsall Heath.

“Why is there an age limit?” As a youth arts organisation, our work is focused on generating opportunities for supporting the creative lives and livelihoods of young people.

To apply, simply fill in this application form – https://cutt.ly/nTuuTYJ

DEADLINE ~ Mon 22nd Nov, 5pm

We have a limited number of stall spaces and so will only be able to accept a small number of applications. We will notify you of the outcome by the end of Tues 23rd Nov.

For more information about The GAP, visit www.thegapartsproject.co.uk

My City, My Home – book release

MY CITY, MYHOME, a brand new book featuring a collection of writings by women and girls in Birmingham (UK), Bangladesh and Pakistan, has been launched at a special event at Midlands Arts Centre hosted by writer and author Kavita Bhanot.

MY CITY, MY HOME a brand-new book featuring a collection of writings by women and girls in Birmingham (UK), Bangladesh and Pakistan, has been launched at a special event at Midlands Arts Centre hosted by writer and author Kavita Bhanot.

Published in English, Urdu and Bangla, MY CITY, MY HOME is a ground-breaking publication featuring 184 poems, short-stories and other prose from writers, and those new to writing, reflecting on the identity and the role of women in 21st century society. 

The book was made possible through a specially commissioned, international writing competition launched by Sampad South Asian Arts & Heritage in September 2020, a year which marked the company’s 30th anniversary. 

Birmingham-based Sampad, one of the UK’s leading arts development agencies, worked alongside Project Associates in Pakistan and Bangladesh connecting online with diverse groups of women and girls in their countries and supporting them through workshops to participate.

As the world is reeling under the impact of a pandemic ‘MY CITY, MY  HOME’ illuminates the possibilities of uniting women across nations to express poignantly that they do have the power of words that can make a difference in our societies, now and in the future.

Piali Ray OBE, Artistic Director at Sampad said “The theme MY CITY, MY HOME’ has strong personal resonance with me in the same way that it connected with many women who responded to our call for this writing competition. 

It was greatly rewarding to receive 280 entries from the many unheard voices of women who shared their emotions, ambitions, joys, dreams, disappointments, resentment and pain. Their words resonate with each other towards a place of strength, identity and belonging. We connect in their personal journeys and treasured memories and it is a delight to be able to share them.”

Out of the 184 entries selected by judges, three overall winners were chosen for their particular writing skills and themes and are featured in the book each representing their own location:

  • English language: Ilika Chakravarty Mandal, Birmingham, UK, ‘Yellow Sweater’
  • Bangla Language: Shahana Yasmin, Dhaka, Bangladesh, ‘Ek kichhui korena meyer golpo’ 
  • Urdu language: Nadia Umer, Lahore, Pakistan. ‘Shehar Kay Dil’

Commenting on her work Bangladesh overall winner Shahana Yasmin said: “In Dhaka, the city I live in, you can see mothers of school children waiting outside the school for 5 to 6 hours every day. This city does not have any public toilets for women. These mothers cannot go to the toilet for a long time and develop urinary diseases. Their husbands don’t find them attractive so they have relationships with other women. I wanted to write about the plight of these mothers. ‘MY CITY, MY HOME’ inspired me to write this.”

Ilika Chakravarty Mandal, Birmingham (UK) overall winner added: “Having moved across cities and continents through study, marriage, work and motherhood, I have often questioned myself: What is home? Where is home? ‘MY CITY, MY HOME’ was a topic to which my persona instantly connected. So much so, that I picked up my pen after almost thirty years to use the dying art of letter writing in a personal note for my ageing mum, who now seemed even more geographically distanced in a post-COVID world. To see my story published and shared is simply fabulous and I am inspired to try writing more regularly.”

‘MY CITY, MY HOME’ is part of Transforming Narratives, a groundbreaking project that supports creative and cultural practitioners and organisations in Birmingham to engage in exchange with artists and organisations in cities in Pakistan and Bangladesh. 

Sophina Jagot, Project Director Transforming Narratives commented: Transforming Narratives offers a range of platforms for new artistic voices, exchanging narratives around contemporary lived experience across Birmingham (UK), Pakistan and Bangladesh and MY CITY, MY HOME certainly delivers on that ambition. 

We are delighted to be working with Sampad to share the words of women across these three countries, in some instances sharing their words for the first time, and to feel a connection with all their experiences and ambitions.”

MY CITY, MY HOME, published by Sampad South Asian Arts & Heritage, is available via marketing@sampad.org.uk

Amongst those attending the launch were: Piali Ray OBE (Artistic Director, Sampad), Nushin Hussain (Project Coordinator,Transforming Narratives), Dawn Carr (Health and Well-Being Officer & SIMRA at Legacy West Midlands), Sarah Kennedy (Senior Relationship Manager, Arts Council England), Deborah Kermode (CEO/Artistic Director, Midlands Arts Centre).

Sampad would like to thank all those involved with the making of this publication.

Sampad acknowledges support from the British Council, Arts Council England, Transforming Narratives andBirmingham City Council.

Balsall Heath Second Saturday – 13th November

Balsall Heath Second Saturday is a monthly mini festival for families and residents to share and experience food, heritage, sport, arts, artisan products and literature.

Balsall Heath Second Saturday is a monthly mini festival for families and residents to share and experience food, heritage, sport, arts, artisan products and literature.

Bringing community organisations and businesses together for a regularly recurring event is a deliberate move to put our often-overlooked neighbourhood on the map, celebrate the diversity found here and promoting community cohesion.

The full listings for Saturday’s event are now up on the website and include badge making, board games, weaving workshops, pottery, a community meal, exhibitions and live music.

https://www.secondsaturday.org.uk/

Up, Down (and Somewhere in Between) – Ort Gallery members show

Every year Ort Gallery exhibits its members art work in a group show. This year the exhibition is curated by artist members Kathryn Sawbridge, Lesley Stewart and Maggie Leaver. There has been a rich and diverse response to this year’s theme, reflecting members’ personal, social and political perspectives.

Every year Ort Gallery exhibits its members art work in a group show. This year the exhibition is curated by artist members Kathryn Sawbridge, Lesley Stewart and Maggie Leaver. There has been a rich and diverse response to this year’s theme, reflecting members’ personal, social and political perspectives.

Exhibiting artists are:

Alfie P Moore | Amelia Rouse | Anisa Naz | Bernd Reichert | Ceridwen Raynor | Crow Dillon-Parkin | Erica Bloom | Fae Kilburn | Gina A Smith | Helen Garbett | Hilary Parle | Jameela Muncey | Jean Wilde | Jonnie Turpie | Joseph Lobi | Kathryn Sawbridge | Kirk Andrews | Maggie Leaver | Marcin Sz and Melissa Morris | Matt Greenhill | Mikeala Dowling | Patrick Willcocks | Rameesa Rehman | Sam Akram | Shir Beck


If you would like to join the Ort Gallery membership please find out more here. We are committed to supporting local artists with professional development and networking opportunities and work towards widening access and opportunity regardless of income. If you cannot afford the membership fee please get in touch.


Artwork on the flyer is by member Kathryn Sawbridge.

Creative Writing at Moseley Hive

Informal creative writing sessions with Chris Fewings at Moseley Hive on Tuesday

Informal creative writing sessions with Chris Fewings at Moseley Hive on Tuesdays.

Read, write, flow

You’re warmly invited to any or all of these in-person Tuesday afternoon creative writing sessions in November 2021. They will be held at Moseley Hive, B13 8DD from 3.30 to 5pm. My input will follow these themes, but you can write what you like!

2 Nov: Breathing & burning
9 Nov: The flow of words
16 Nov: Rain & river
23 Nov: Growing & ageing
30 Nov: Autumn to spring

These sessions are open to all adults – donations between £1 & £10 invited, but no one is excluded. Poetry or prose. Informal atmosphere- You can make your own tea/coffee.

Moseley Hive is a well-ventilated space with level access and a disabled toilet. You’re welcome to wear a mask or sit a little apart. It’s close to the traffic lights in Moseley ‘village’ where bus routes 1, 35 and 50 converge in south Birmingham, opposite the Co-op supermarket.

Chris Fewings has wide experience of facilitating creative writing for individuals and groups (see testimonials).

Feedback from my most recent workshop:
– a very inspiring session
– really enjoyed this
– it was just great, thank you!
– really enjoyed the two hours; sadly they passed too quickly
Any suggestions for improvements?
– None

#ReadWriteFlow

Venue: Moseley Hive

Cost: All adults welcome, donations invited (£1-£10)

Dates and times: Tuesdays 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 November 2021, 3.30-5pm

More information and booking: https://writeyourworldalive.today/course/creative-writing-sessions-each-tuesday-in-november/

Soothing Stitches with Sharper Arts at Highfield Hall

Sally Harper from Sharper Arts shares information about her most recent project, with a group who meet at Highfield Hall in Hall Green.

Sally Harper from Sharper Arts shares information about her most recent project, with a group who meet at Highfield Hall in Hall Green.

Soothing stitches – The aim of the project

To reach out to adults 50+ members of the community that may be isolated or lonely and engage them in a group activity, to enable them to feel part of a group.  Sally will do this by providing weekly makes and interactions through face-to-face workshops and craft kits.  These kits would be created, distributed, and workshops led by Sharper Arts. For the people not attending the workshops Sally will be offering advice and help to create the items from the kits through social media, WhatsApp and by e-mail.

The six kits/ workshops will include fabric hearts, fabric jewellery, bunting, pockets and pouches, handmade books, and fabric wreaths.

Our ‘Sip and Stitch’ session will be face to face workshops that will last an hour and will be taking place at Highfield Hall. This will allow members of the community to come together, try out a new skill and share what they have made with others. There will be 10 places available for the face-to-face workshops and a further 15 kits available for members of the community to collect to make at home.

The whole soul of the project would be to keep the community connected and have a sense of achievement in these troubling times and living through a pandemic.

Four focus areas of the project

Together: This project is all about coming together, making friends, combating isolation and loneliness, and enjoying working together to experience different ideas.

Environmental: We will be using as much recycled fabric, materials, threads, and trims as we possibly can. Materials have come from donations and from local scrap stores rather than buying new fabrics we can re purpose and redesign to use materials destined for landfill.

Up skill: Everything that we will make will be very simple. No need for a sewing machine or fancy gadget or materials, Sally has designed the sessions so that they are easily accessible to a wide range of people. The hope is that once the people attending the workshops have created from their kits, they will share with family members and friends.

Sharing: To empower and celebrate everything that is created. There is no right or wrong to this project and it would be great to share lots of different ideas that have had the same starting point. Social media and WhatsApp will enable us to share with those not attending the sessions but might want to give the ideas a go in the future.

Contact Sally for more info: 07808 988945/ sharperarts@btinternet.com

Social Media: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/soothingstitchesbirmingham/

Web: www.soothingstitches.co.uk

About Sharper Arts

Sally Harper from Sharper Arts is a community artist who has been delivering projects and workshops for over 20 years within the West Midlands. As a small organisation the work that Sally does is inspired by the needs of the community as she delivers quality projects in conjunction with other organisations such as Near Neighbours, Sampad and The Springfield Project within the local area. There is a big focus on bringing the community together to combat isolation and loneliness as well as sharing new skills and developing ideas together.

Pumpkin Days in November at Pacha House, Friends Institute

Pumpkin Day, to learn about this amazing family of vegetables and their beneficial nourishing properties. (Friendlier Alternative to Halloween!).

Pumpkin Day, to learn about this amazing family of vegetables and their beneficial nourishing properties. (Friendlier Alternative to Halloween!).

When? Saturday 30th October, Also on the 6th, 13th, 20th of November. 12pm start, Stalls at 3pm and candle lights at 6pm.

Venue: The Friends’ Institute, 220 Moseley Road, B12 0DG

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pachahouseatfriendsinstitute/