Balsall Heath Second Saturday

Monthly creative festival

Author: Balsall Heath Second Saturday

  • Craft Design & Technology Room Open Day. 11am-3pm, Upper Gallery, OPW

    Craft Design & Technology Room Open Day. 11am-3pm, Upper Gallery, OPW

    Come and take a look at the CDT room which has a range of tools for turning, milling, precision cutting, drilling, engraving and pyrography.

    The CDT room is run by Richard Newton who has 30 years of experience teaching craft, design & technology to children. Projects are designed and led by children, who make musical instruments, vehicles, furniture or whatever they can imagine out of wood, plastic and metal. Children are also encouraged to adapt and repair their tools.

    90 minute session. £8 per child / £6 per sibling

    Please note the Upper Gallery is accessed via a staircase and unfortunately we do not currently have a lift.

    Richard Newton is a Studio Partner at The Old Print Works.

  • Beginner’s Bookbinding Workshop. 11am-2pm, Lower Gallery/Courtyard, OPW

    Beginner’s Bookbinding Workshop. 11am-2pm, Lower Gallery/Courtyard, OPW

    Join artist Dominika Kubalova for a beginner’s bookbinding workshop, in which you will learn a saddle stitch binding method and create a one of a kind pocket journal to take home.

    All tools are provided, along with a wide selection of papers, card stock, magazines, old books, maps and more. You will get to pick the pages for your notebook, learn how to bind them together and then decorate the cover in your own style.
Feel free to bring with you: old envelopes, pages from unused notebooks or sketchbooks, sheet music, maps, posters, old books, cards, paper bags, wrapping paper. Anything goes!

    Suitable for older children accompanied by an adult (we will be using sharp tools – an awl, needle, scissors and craft knife).

    This session is free, please consider making a donation here.

  • The Old Print Works Market. 11am-4pm, Courtyard/Lower Gallery, OPW

    Local makers and crafts / bric a brac / clothes / curios and more

    November stallholders include:

    • AimeeJMakes, selling handmade gifts that are upcycled, foraged and repurposed
    • Bundles Makes, selling handmade crochet items
    • Daily Thread, selling craft kits and plants
    • Delish Bakery, selling Gluten-Free cupcakes and brownies
    • Emilia Wright, selling hand cast pewter jewellery and hair ornaments using foraged natural objects
    • House of Yris, selling framed origami paper artwork plus cards and digital prints
    • Little Crafter, selling bookmarks, cards, key rings, necklaces, rings, bracelets and airdry clay
    • MIAH Foundation, selling prints and sharing information about exhibitions and events
    • Miss Symi Makes, selling handmade unique and practical accessories made in Birmingham using upcycled fabric and materials
    • Rayelle Lavanya, selling handmade jewellery
    • Reloved Brum, selling pre-loved clothes in aid of Birmingham Hospice
    • Gathered by She Gardens Brum, growing and selling seasonal fresh and dried flower bouquets, wreaths and other decorations inspired by nature
    • Tammy Woodrow, visual/performance artist and OPW Studio Partner, selling prints and pamphlets. You can also make your own print with her mobile etching press.
    • Taradhin is a small reworked fashion/accessories business which focuses on reducing textile waste and making slow fashion more accessible and inclusive. 
    • The Old Print Works, bric a brac

    If you would like to be part of the market, please contact us at [email protected] or book a stall here (cost £10 or £90 for 12 months).

  • The Original Art Club. 11am-4pm, Director’s Office (Courtyard), OPW

    The Original Art Club. 11am-4pm, Director’s Office (Courtyard), OPW

    The Original Art Club is a safe creative space for children to explore, create and develop their artistic skills. This is project-based learning tailored to each individual and their ability. The idea is progress not perfection and with an ‘I can do’ attitude here at the club we want all our budding artists to feel confident and encouraged in their creative journey.

    We teach several 2D and 3D techniques within our projects using a wide range of materials from pencil, acrylic paint and watercolours, to clay and paper mache. Our mixed age and mixed ability classes is a unique way in building self-confidence, independence and social bonding. Those children who have been with us longer will have gained more flexibility in steering their own projects and outcomes. We use mediums such as acrylics, watercolours, oil/soft pastels, inks, fine liners and 3D work with papier mache, clay and paper sculpture. At the club we value art and believe it is a significant component for the holistic education of children.

    This workshop is free, please consider making a donation here.

  • Balsall Heath Repair Cafe. 11am-2pm, MAC (Midlands Art Centre)

    Balsall Heath Repair Cafe. 11am-2pm, MAC (Midlands Art Centre)

    Balsall Heath Repair Cafe travels to MAC Birmingham!

    Our repairers were invited to join MAC as part of their activities to mark the Big Green Week. We are happy to support them and to share Balsall Heath Repair Cafe with MAC visitors.

    If you join the Repair Cafe regularly please do come and see us at the MAC on Saturday 13 June. Located in Cannon Hill Park its a short distance from The Old Print Works and accessible via public transport.

    Balsall Heath Repair Cafe returns to The Old Print Works on Saturday 11 July.

  • Birmingham Resistance Library. 11am-4pm, The MIX Cafe

    As part of Balsall Heath Second Saturday explore the Birmingham Resistance Library collection, borrow and return books. Open to all.

    Radical Exhibition Collective is a film collective with the aim to support the development of access to film culture in Birmingham. Through diasporic programming and centring subaltern expression, REC seeks to increase access to independent, archival and experimental film and moving image. They recognise the potential of film watching spaces as sites of resistance, community gathering and a tool for collective liberation.

    Please note, Birmingham Resistance Library is located in The MIX Cafe at The Old Print Works. The venue has step free access.

    Browse, Borrow & Return

    Explore the Birmingham Resistance Library collection and borrow a book. No membership required. You can browse the catalogue in advance online too at www.birminghamresistancelibrary.co.uk

    REC’s Community Pop-up DVD Library

    Radical Exhibition Collective’s (@radicalexhibition) community DVD library has been created with the intent to increase access to independent film and moving image in Birmingham. With a focus on platforming subaltern expression and films that may be unavailable to freely stream, rent or find online, REC’s pop-up DVD library recognises the value film holds in the cultural sphere and seeks to address gaps in engaging with it.

    Book Return💫

    If you’ve borrowed a book from the library, please remember to return it this upcoming Browse, Borrow & Return session

    Donations✨

    Donate a book on the day, link in bio for our wish list or donate a book related to ‘resistance’ that you have read and recommend.

    About REC

    @radicalexhibition

  • CDT for under 11’s

    CDT for under 11’s

    11am onwards – drop in, The Old Print Works upper gallery

    Wood working skills that can set you up for life

    pricing available in workshop

  • Yayoi Kusama-inspired Pumpkins with Wonderfish Art Studio. 11.45am-1pm, Lower Gallery, OPW

    It is the Pumpkin Month! Join our workshop, led by Wan Yu Fish at Wonderfish Art Studio, to create Yayoi Kusama-inspired pumpkins, as we celebrate this time of year and explore how Kusama (1929 – 2026) saw the world in memory of her.

    Free, drop-in workshop. All materials will be provided.
    All are welcome.

    This session is free, please consider making a donation here.

    Wonderfish Art Studio is a Studio Partner at The Old Print Works.

  • Balsall Heath Repair Cafe. 12.30-4pm, The Mix Cafe, OPW

    Balsall Heath Repair Cafe is back again at Balsall Heath Second Saturday.

    Check balsallheathrepaircafe.org for repairers closer to the day.

    This session is free, please consider making a donation here.

  • Woodwork with MAKE & TADA! 1-2.30pm, Lower Gallery, OPW

    In this session with MAKE & TADA!, participants can make their own wooden Christmas tree to take home.

    Participants will learn drilling, cutting, hammering and painting.

    This is a relaxed, welcoming community workshop, suitable for all abilities. All materials are provided, along with guidance throughout. Booking is essential as places are limited, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

    Workshop sessions:
    1-2.30pm (please arrive 5–10 minutes before the workshop starts)

    Cost: £5 +booking fee
    (this workshop is supported by The Old Print Works, price covers material costs)
    Booking is essential, please book here.
    Aimed at children aged 6+

    MAKE & TADA! is a Studio Partner at The Old Print Works.

  • Play with Clay with Sundragon Pottery. 1-3pm, Lower Gallery, OPW

    Come and play with clay with Sundragon Pottery. Try some simple techniques and experiment with form making – just drop in, stay as long as you like.

    This is a free event, supported by The Old Print Works. Please consider making a donation here.

    Sundragon Pottery are a Studio Partner at The Old Print Works.

  • Woodwork with MAKE & TADA! 3.15-4.15pm, Lower Gallery, OPW

    In this session with MAKE & TADA!, participants can make their own Wooden Reindeer Advent Calendar!.

    Using wooden components, children will assemble and decorate a charming reindeer featuring a 25mm wooden dowel body and a festive countdown scroll.

    Add your own Christmas colours, patterns and decorations to make your reindeer truly unique!

    This is a relaxed, welcoming community workshop, suitable for all abilities. All materials are provided, along with guidance throughout. Booking is essential as places are limited, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

    Workshop session:
    3.15-4.15pm (please arrive 5–10 minutes before the workshop starts)

    Cost: £5 +booking fee
    (this workshop is supported by The Old Print Works, price covers material costs)
    Booking is essential, please book here.
    Aimed at children aged 6+

    MAKE & TADA! is a Studio Partner at The Old Print Works.

  • Draught Excluder Workshop

    Draught Excluder Workshop

    Feeling the draughts in this freeeeezing weather? Improve the cosiness of your home by making a draught excluder to go by the door. You choose the fabrics you want, Kirsty will help by sewing it for you, and you can stuff it! 11am-1pm. All welcome. Free – donations welcome.

  • Faelt Massage –

    Faelt Massage –

    head, face, top of neck, hands, feet, general relaxation all donations to SIFA Fireside

  • Make a metal embossed Christmas magnet with Art Metallix

    Make a metal embossed Christmas magnet with Art Metallix

    Art Metallix workshop
  • Balsall Heath Neighbourhood Plan

    Balsall Heath Neighbourhood Plan

    Updating the Balsall Heath Neighbourhood Plan 2015.  How has Balsall Heath changed in the last 10 years, and how should it change in the next 10 years?

  • Balsall Heaths 750th Birthday Party

    Balsall Heaths 750th Birthday Party

  • Dark Room Open Evening

    Dark Room Open Evening

    Join Darkroom Birmingham for an open evening featuring a relaxed introduction to analogue photography and a hands-on print demonstration. Meet the photographers behind the space, discover upcoming workshops, and enjoy a friendly, welcoming environment for anyone curious about analogue photography processes.

    5-7 (ish)

  • Wreath Making at The Old Print Works

    Wreath Making at The Old Print Works

    Join Hannah and Jude for a fun and creative family friendly wreath making workshop.

    In this hands-on session, you will craft your very own unique wreath using a variety of locally sourced materials.

    All materials included.

    The workshop will be held in the Drawing Room at The Old Print Works – with step free access.

    https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wreath-making-workshop-tickets-1976756992377?aff=oddtdtcreator
  • Festive Futures at St Pauls Trust with Eco Birmingham –

    Festive Futures at St Pauls Trust with Eco Birmingham –

  • Wonderfish Art Studio: Reimagining Our City with Collage

    Wonderfish Art Studio: Reimagining Our City with Collage


    Join Wonderfish Art Studio at Balsall Heath Second Saturday for a hands-on creative collage workshop! Perfect for ages 4–10 and their grown-ups.

    In a safe creative space, we’ll be exploring what we feel about Birmingham and Balsall Heath with the art of collage, using different materials. Together, we are making collaborative artworks that celebrate our beautiful city and connect community and culture.

    Saturday 8 November 11am-1pm

    Drop-in, free, no booking required!

  • Self-Portrait with PRISM Photography Network

    Self-Portrait with PRISM Photography Network

    Discover the power of self-expression at our unique Self-Portrait Studio Event at The Old Print works, in the heart of Balsall Heath. This one-of-a-kind experience invites you to step into a professional studio space where you become the photographer and the subject. Capture your own portrait in a safe, creative environment using professional lighting and backdrops, guided by friendly experts who will help you feel confident and inspired. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a first-timer, this is your chance to create striking images that reveal your personality and story.

    Alongside taking your portrait, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to share your wildest thoughts and feelings on a communal mood board. This collaborative space encourages honesty, imagination, and connection—express your dreams, challenges, or inspirations through words, drawings, or images. Your contributions will help capture the vibrant spirit and diversity of Balsall Heath, giving voice to stories often unheard.

    By participating, you will also play a vital role in an ongoing documentary project dedicated to exploring life in Balsall Heath. Your portrait and shared insights could be featured in exhibitions, publications, or digital media, helping to construct a rich tapestry of this community’s identity. Join us for a day of creativity, reflection, and community building—where your story matters and your image can inspire change.

    The experience is offered by the PRISM Photography Network and it Is part of the Balsall Heath Observation project.

  • Her VESSEL : womxn’s journeys and their baggage

  • Painting an Iranian Floral Motif

    Painting an Iranian Floral Motif

    Join us to learn about the Shah Abbasi motif and create your own painting to take home. This workshop is being delivered as part of the ‘Balsall Heath Second Saturdays’ programme.

    Named after Shah Abbas I, the Shah Abbasi motif is a highly stylised representation of flowers and is prominently featured in carpet designs, metalwork, and illuminated manuscripts. The geometric and symmetrical floral designs typically feature a central palmette surrounded by smaller floral and leaf patterns. More than just a decorative element, the motif symbolises the connection between nature and the divine and embodies the cultural exchange of ideas between East and West.

    In this workshop, you will explore the history and symbolism of the Shah Abbasi motif and create your own painting using traditional Persian illumination techniques.

    Suitable for adults and children aged 9+ years. All materials are provided.

    📅 Dates: Saturday 8th November 2025
    ⏰ Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
    📍 Place: MIAH Islamic Arts & Heritage Gallery | 496 Moseley Road | Balsall Heath, Birmingham | B12 9AH

    Tickets:
    Standard Course Fee: £12.50 including Eventbrite fees.
    Subsidised Fee: £10.00

    Ticket link

    Image reference: 16th-Century Silk Kashan Carpet, Made in Iran, The Met Museum, Object Number: 58.46.
    6 d

  • Learn Easy Finger Knitting

    Learn Easy Finger Knitting

    Learn finger knitting with Jude, all materials provided

  • Plughole Party

    Plughole Party

    T 4 Tits Off: it was worth the lil wait, enit? 🌀

    TICKETS 🔗

    PLUGHOLE is back for a night of collective care, a top surgery fundraiser for our dear friend Kai. We’re treating you to DJs, drag, live music & art. Plus some wet surprises…

    Act fast, we sold out last time and you’re not gonna want to miss this one!

    We know you’ve only just dried off, but it’s time to see you down the drain again 💦

  • Tatreez workshop

    Tatreez workshop

    Join us for a free hands-on creative workshop to create beautiful embroidered motifs using the traditional Palestinian Tatreez technique. This workshop is being delivered as part of the @balsallheathsecondsaturday programme and the ‘Believe in Balsall Heath’ project. The project celebrates the history, heritage and arts of Balsall Heath’s diverse communities.

    ‘Tatreez’, meaning embroidery in Arabic, was recognised as an important symbol of Palestinian cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2021. Embroidered motifs on traditional dresses reflected a woman’s journey and regional identity. Though much of this craft was lost after 1948, it has now evolved to be a symbol of national identity, cultural survival, and persistence.

    During the workshop, you will be guided through instructions to embroider a motif using the’Fallahi’ – cross-stitch technique on grid fabric. You will use a needle and colourful threads to create a beautiful Gazan Cyprus tree motif, one stitch at a time. The Cyprus tree motif serves as a symbol of a flourishing future.

    The workshop is suitable for adults and children (13+).
    All materials will be provided, and no prior experience is necessary.

    📅 Date: Saturday 11th October 2025
    ⏰ Time: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
    📍 Place: MIAH Islamic Arts & Heritage Gallery | 496 Moseley Road | Balsall Heath, Birmingham | B12 9AH

    Tickets

    We are pleased to be able to offer this workshop for FREE with thanks to the generous funding by Birmingham City Council’s funding for the ‘Believe in Balsall Heath’ project. This project is being delivered as part of MIAH Foundation’s partnership with the Old Printworks, The GAP Arts Projects, Balsall Heath Local History and Fruit & Nut Village.

    We are restricting tickets to a maximum of TWO free tickets. To be fair to all, we ask that you only book a ticket if you are sure that you will be able to attend.

    Ticket link

    Image reference: Palestinian Thobe dress, ca. 1860s–1870s, Object Number: C.I.42.176.1. The Met Museum.

  • Self-Portrait with PRISM Photography Network

    Self-Portrait with PRISM Photography Network

    Discover the power of self-expression at our unique Self-Portrait Studio Event at The Old Print works, in the heart of Balsall Heath. This one-of-a-kind experience invites you to step into a professional studio space where you become the photographer and the subject. Capture your own portrait in a safe, creative environment using professional lighting and backdrops, guided by friendly experts who will help you feel confident and inspired. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a first-timer, this is your chance to create striking images that reveal your personality and story.

    Alongside taking your portrait, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to share your wildest thoughts and feelings on a communal mood board. This collaborative space encourages honesty, imagination, and connection—express your dreams, challenges, or inspirations through words, drawings, or images. Your contributions will help capture the vibrant spirit and diversity of Balsall Heath, giving voice to stories often unheard.

    By participating, you will also play a vital role in an ongoing documentary project dedicated to exploring life in Balsall Heath. Your portrait and shared insights could be featured in exhibitions, publications, or digital media, helping to construct a rich tapestry of this community’s identity. Join us for a day of creativity, reflection, and community building—where your story matters and your image can inspire change.

    The experience is offered by the PRISM Photography Network and it Is part of the Balsall Heath Observation project.

  • Willow’s Wardrobe

    Willow’s Wardrobe

    Focus on sustainable fashion, handmade and hand-upcycled clothing, made from recycled materials. ask about commissions too!

  • Wonderfish Art Studio: Reimagining Our City with Collage

    Wonderfish Art Studio: Reimagining Our City with Collage


    Join Wonderfish Art Studio at Balsall Heath Second Saturday for a hands-on creative collage workshop! Perfect for ages 4–10 and their grown-ups.

    In a safe creative space, we’ll be exploring what we feel about Birmingham and Balsall Heath with the art of collage, using different materials. Together, we are making collaborative artworks that celebrate our beautiful city and connect community and culture.

    Saturday 13 September 11am-1pm

    Drop-in, free, no booking required!