Category: Balsall Heath
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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?
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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)
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Community Conversation – Who Killed Oswald Grey?
An interactive discussion exploring racial injustice, the British legal system and local history through the real-life story of Oswald Grey
Join us at The GAP for an interactive Community Conversation with writer Jon Berry exploring forgotten local history, capital punishment and racial injustices within the British legal system through the real-life story of Oswald Augustus Grey.
Oswald came to England from Jamaica aged 18 in 1960, and lived on Cannon Hill Road in Balsall Heath. Two years later he became the last man to be hanged in Birmingham and the last Black man to be executed in Britain. This is a tale of hasty injustice and deep-seated prejudice that is as relevant today as it was 60 years ago.
- Through audio, images and storytelling, local writer Jon Berry will take us on a journey through Oswald’s life and untimely death, as carefully researched for his latest book Who Killed Oswald Grey? Race, the law, and the last Black man hanged in Britain
- Interactive elements will include reviewing evidence sheets to make your case, reading excerpts from a theatre script that dramatises Oswald’s trial, and community conversations around the importance of this story today
- These presentations, discussions and activities will take place between 4 – 6pm, with open unstructured space to chat and connect between 6 – 7pm.
- All welcome. Whilst this is a heavy topic, we intend to create this event as a warm and gentle space for reflection that centres on building connections, solidarity and knowledge within the community
- Light refreshments will be provided by Sam’s Vegan Delights
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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!
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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.
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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.
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Make & TADA!Second Saturday Workshop – Festive Hanging Christmas Tree
Second Saturday Make & TADA! Workshop – Festive Hanging Christmas Tree
Join us for a cosy festive Make & TADA! workshop on Saturday 13th December, 1pm–3pm. In this session, you’ll create your own hanging wooden Christmas tree – cutting, sanding, and decorating it to suit your style. Perfect for adding a handmade touch to your Christmas décor or gifting to someone special. All materials and guidance provided. Come along, get creative, and enjoy a festive afternoon of making!.
👩👧 Family-friendly
🛠️ Tools & materials provided
🌟 No experience neededCheck us out on Instagram: Tada_workshop
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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!
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Resisting Erasure – Tatreez: Threads of Resistance
Resisting Erasure is a two-part creative workshop series exploring art as a powerful tool for resistance and storytelling as a means to reclaim identity. Each session offers a blend of historical context, hands-on creation, and space for reflection and discussion. Our fist session will be held during Balsall Heath Second Saturday and will focus on Tatreez: Threads of Resistance.
Tatreez, the intricate Palestinian embroidery tradition, has long served as a method of preserving cultural memory in the face of displacement. This session introduces participants to its technique and symbolism, and invites them to stitch their own bookmarks using a guide or create their own pieces using motifs discussed during the session or those relevant to their personal stories.
This session is part of Beyond the Margin, a 9-month Inspire Hub programme exploring identity, storytelling, and creative resistance.
For more information about Inspire Hub or Beyond the Margins, take a look at our instagram @inspirehub.community. -
Ottoman Iznik Tiles Workshop
Join The MIAH Foundation to learn about Iznik tiles and create your own ceramic coaster to take home. This workshop is being delivered as part of the ‘Balsall Heath Second Saturdays’ programme.
Iznik tiles are named after the town of Iznik, and they are easily recognised by their distinctive colours and designs, often featuring bold colours such as cobalt blue, turquoise, emerald green, black, and deep red. Artisans developed elaborate compositions, incorporating realistic depictions of flowers arranged in vases, spiralling scrolls with delicate leaves and flowers, and large, dominant motifs.
During this workshop, you will study the tile patterns around the mihrab of the Mesih Pasha Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. The mosque was built in 1585 by the famous Ottoman court architect Sinan. You will recreate the central floral composition of the tile design on a ceramic tile that can be taken home to be displayed or used as a coaster.
Suitable for adults and children aged 9+ years. All materials are provided.
📅 Dates: Saturday 13th September 2025
⏰ Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
📍 Place: MIAH Islamic Arts & Heritage Gallery | 496 Moseley Road | Balsall Heath, Birmingham | B12 9AHTickets:
Standard Course Fee: £12.50 including Eventbrite fees.
Subsidised Fee: £10.00IMAGE REFERENCE: Meisha Mehmed Pasha Mosque tiles, Dosseman (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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Stories From The Den
Join The GAP at Balsall Heath Second Saturday for Stories From The Den! 📖
A two hour session of story telling Palestinian and Arab folktales all from the comfort of the den. Get cosy, exercise your imaginations and enter into a world of myths, legends and long tales that tell us much about what it means to be human. After some storytelling we will make some space and use a range of tools and materials to explore some prompts inspired by the stories.
🕓 Saturday 13th September, 11am – 1pm. Please arrive promptly to make sure we can start the stories on time.
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Papier-mâché Pen Pots – Workshop
We are excited to collaborate with the ORT gallery and, in conjunction with Balsall Heath Second Saturdays, to host a workshop inspired by the current Exhibition – People of the Garáṇ.
Join us for a hands-on creative workshop to design and paint your own papier-mâché pen pots.
The art of papier-mâché involves two key stages: 1) Sakhtasazi – making the base structure using paper pulp, and 2) Naqashi – hand-painting the intricate decorative patterns.
In this workshop, we will demonstrate the traditional process of preparing paper pulp, making a mould, and creating a smooth surface to paint on decorative motifs. You will be provided with a pre-made mould to design and paint your own papier-mâché object using traditional Kashmiri motifs.
Suitable for adults and children aged 9+ years. All materials are provided.
📅 Dates: Saturday 9th August 2025
⏰ Time: 1:30pm – 4:00pm
📍 Place: MIAH Islamic Arts & Heritage Gallery | 496 Moseley Road | Balsall Heath, Birmingham | B12 9AHTickets:
Standard Course Fee: £12.50 including Eventbrite fees.
Subsidised Fee: £10.00IMAGE REFERENCE: Image: Domed box (Srinagar, Kashmir, ca. 1850), V&A, Accession No. 3-1852
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Hayati Open Mic – Mushaira Special
Join us at Moseley Community Hub for a soulful evening of inspired poetry, conversation, and food ✨
To mark the launch of People of the Garáṇ, an exhibition by Haseebah Ali exploring the cultural legacy and textures of the Azad Kashmiri diaspora, we’d like to invite you to this mushaira special,, featuring some very special headliner performances from an incredible line up of British-Azad Kashmiri artists (TBA) 👀✨‼️
If you would like an open mic slot, please DM @hayatiopenmic or arrive early as there will be limited spots on the door! 🎤
Register via link in instagram bio 🔗https://www.instagram.com/hayatiopenmic/
🎟️ We have implemented a three-tiered ticketing system. Standard tickets £7.50 via eventbrite (plus eventbrite fee) | £10 on the door. All tickets will include a warm meal (plant based and gluten free) 🍛Please bring your own non-alcoholic drinks 🥤
This event is for those aged 13 and over. Children are welcome but they must be supervised by accompanying adult(s). 🧑🧑🧒
⏰ Doors open at 6pm, event starts at 6:30pm.
📍Moseley Community Hub, 496 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham B12 9AH
Prayer mats will be made available for those that would like to pray on site. 🤲🏾📿
✨ About Hayati ✨
Hayati is a bimonthly, halal open mic event curated by Ort Gallery with an emphasis on engaging the brain, inspiring the heart, and feeding the soul 💚
We look forward to seeing you all there! 🥰
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Kashmiri Art : Numda Craft and Paisley Designs workshop
Explore Kashmiri arts in this hands-on workshop through the Numda technique (felted rugs) and the story behind the paisley motifs.
This workshop celebrates the launch of our collaboration with @ortgallery hosting their new exhibition ‘People of the Garan’ – a solo exhibition featuring a new body of work by artist Haseebah Ali, showcasing historic Kashmiri objects from the @miahfoundation collection.
Join us for an insightful workshop celebrating the rich heritage of Kashmiri Numda, a traditional technique used to create felt rugs that have been an essential part of domestic life in Azad Kashmir for centuries. These rugs provide warm, colourful, and affordable floor coverings and can also serve as mattresses during the colder months, embodying both practicality and artistry.
Participants will have the opportunity to create a decorative hanging coaster using felt shapes inspired by paisley, leaves, and flowers, and will be introduced to the traditional Kashmiri chain stitch to incorporate into their work, reflecting the intricate embroidery of Numda rugs.
The workshop is suitable for adults and children (13+).
All materials will be provided, and no prior experience is necessary.
Tickets: FREE – limited to two tickets.
This workshop is being funded by @bhamcitycouncil exploring the traditional crafts of local communities through the Balsall Heath Cultural Action Area project and supports our work with @balsallheathsecondsaturday . To minimise waste of resources, please only book a ticket if you are sure that you will be able to attend. Additionally, please do not book multiple blocks of two tickets.
Link: https://miahfoundation.com/events/kashmiri-art-numda-craft-and-paisley-designs
Image reference: Kashmir Digital Museum
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Print and Matter Artist Talk: Sahra Hersi
Print and Matter Artist Talk: Sahra Hersi
Saturday 12th July
11am-12pm
MIAH Gallery,
Mosely Community Hub,
496 Moseley Rd, Balsall Heath,
Birmingham B12 9AH
FREE, no booking required.Sahra Hersi is an artist and spatial designer, she describes her work as “caring about people, places, art & architecture, in that order”. Her work is public and ranges in scales from zines and workshops to public realm interventions and buildings. She seeks to establish a working philosophy that is driven by the desire to reinterpret architectural methodology and artistic narrative
as common ground.Wheelchair accessible (but please DM in advance so we can support with entry). @printandmatter (instagram)
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Plant Poetry workshop
Join Kohinoor and Arron this Saturday for a multi-sensory creative workshop exploring the edible herbs that live in our Peace Garden 🌿🌼 Listen to plant poetry and write your own whilst touching, tasting, smelling and seeing the herbs 🖐️👂👃👄👁️
Saturday 12th July, 12 – 1pm
Workshop is aimed at ages 6 – 11 years, but all are welcome.
Free
Throughout the day you’ll also be invited to spend time in the Peace Garden, listen to some audio recordings of Kohinoor reading nature-themed poetry, and enjoy the butterflies 🦋
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Seemaworld : SCULPTING RADICAL KINDNESS
12:30–14:30 ➡️ SCULPTING RADICAL KINDNESS
saturday is looming, people! ^^so here’s a lil itinerary to map out this workshop^^
what does kindness look + feel like when it’s shaped by playful limits? come find out, play and connect.
we’ll be: sculpting relics for speculative futures 🌍 BUT with a limited resource chosen randomly by you:: clay, found objects, collage, writing, 3d animation,maybe more
✨no skills needed
✨all materials provided
✨drop-in or stay for the duration
✨guided workshop / reflection circle begins 12:45
✨pay what you feel: £5 / £7 / £9 (book via www.seemaworld.com or pay on the day)full programme in instagram bio https://www.instagram.com/seemaworld_, wheelchair access, everyone welcome!
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A Touch Of Green 🌱
Exhibition Opening – Curated by Isra Kausarg
A Touch Of Green 🌱
Exhibition Opening Sat 14 June, 10am – 5pm
Curated by Isra Kausar
Featuring painting, photography, poetry and mixed media, this exhibition brings together works of art by local artists that speak to nature on many levels, calling you to connect with nature in the hopes that we can help heal it.
Some focus on appreciating the beauty of the natural world, some touch on the connection we have to it, and some encourage us to take action.
‘A Touch Of Green’ Art Exhibition 🌱
Sat 12 July, 10am – 5pm
Curated by Isra Kausar
Featuring painting, photography, poetry and mixed media, this exhibition brings together works of art by local artists that speak to nature on many levels, calling you to connect with nature in the hopes that we can help heal it.
Some focus on appreciating the beauty of the natural world, some touch on the connection we have to it, and some encourage us to take action.
There are also some tips and tricks in the gallery, for small things you could do to make a difference and help the Earth, and yourself in the process, by adding a little bit of green.
Pop by to see the exhibition this Balsall Heath Second Saturday, as well as visiting our Peace Garden to immerse yourself in nature amongst our urban landscape.There are also some tips and tricks in the gallery, for small things you could do to make a difference and help the Earth, and yourself in the process, by adding a little bit of green.
Pop by to see the exhibition this Balsall Heath Second Saturday, as well as visiting our Peace Garden to immerse yourself in nature amongst our urban landscape.
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A Touch Of Green 🌱
Exhibition Opening – Curated by Isra Kausarg
A Touch Of Green 🌱
Exhibition Opening Sat 14 June, 10am – 5pm
Curated by Isra Kausar
Featuring painting, photography, poetry and mixed media, this exhibition brings together works of art by local artists that speak to nature on many levels, calling you to connect with nature in the hopes that we can help heal it.
Some focus on appreciating the beauty of the natural world, some touch on the connection we have to it, and some encourage us to take action.
There are also some tips and tricks in the gallery, for small things you could do to make a difference and help the Earth, and yourself in the process, by adding a little bit of green.
Pop by to see the exhibition this Balsall Heath Second Saturday, as well as visiting our Peace Garden to immerse yourself in nature amongst our urban landscape.
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Sunflower Planting & Poetry Writing Workshop
11am – 1pm
Join Kohinoor Yasmin (Poet, Writer & Workshop Facilitator) in our beautiful Peace Garden for a gentle children’s workshop celebrating sunflowers:
🌻 Plant your own sunflower seed to take home
🌻 Listen to some poems about sunflowers
🌻 Write you own sunflower poem using guided prompts
There will also be an opportunity to audio record your poem read aloud to add to The GAP’s exciting new Peace Garden Spotify playlist!
🟡 For children aged 6 to 12 years old
🟡 Parents/carers must be present for the duration of the workshop. You are welcome to relax and enjoy spending time in the Peace Garden.
🟡 Free!
🟡 Book your place via Eventbrite here –
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1398323546369?aff=oddtdtcreator
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The Old Print Works Market
Bric a brac/clothes/curios and more
If you would like to be part of the market, please message us – info@secondsaturday.org.uk
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OOMK Collective
Saturday 14th June
11am-12pm
MIAH Gallery
496 Moseley Road, B129AH,
Birmingham
@miahfoundationOne of My Kind (OOMK) is a collaborative publishing practice led by Rose Nordin, Sofia Niazi and Heiba Lamara. Working together since 2014, OOMK make, publish and distribute books and printed works which arise from self-initiated projects. They also commission new works by women artists, organise publishing fairs and currently run Rabbits Road Press, a community Risograph printing press in London. The talk will be delivered by @sofia_niazi. No booking required, just show up!
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St Pauls City Farm – Celebrating 45 Years
Celebrate 45 years of Balsall Heath City Farm
Saturday June 14th, 11am – 4pm.
Refreshments, Plants, Stalls, Face Painting & Music from the 80’s!!
For enquiries contact 0121 464 1888
Or email: farm@stpaulstrust.org.uk
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Ventilator Gallery Opening
VENTILATOR GALLERY
a dynamic space for dialogue, curated by
Tammy Woodrowopening event Saturday 14 June 12-4:
interactive installation ‘A Little Respect’ by Gay Place
Location: the old print works, 506 Moseley Road, Birmingham, B12 9AH, bus 50. The gallery is based on the first floor. More info: tammywoodrow@hotmail.com/ 07964770596
