Category: The Old Print Works
-
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
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.
-
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
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.
-
SEEMAWORLD – Soft Crits
introducing: soft crits❕
if you’re an artist (at any level) developing a creative practice + seeking fresh perspectives 👁️ then YOU ARE INVITED to my studio aka ✨ @seemaworld_boon_ ✨
vibes:
1️⃣ bring along one piece of work (at whatever stage) to share with others in the group.
2️⃣ each person will have the floor to ask questions + exchange intentional feedback in an open peer-led environment, with reflective takeaways👖
3️⃣ it’ll be chill + kind but ultimately supportive
4️⃣ in the interest of being non-hierarchical, i’ll also look to share something (if there’s time + space) and be vulnerable too
📍the first soft crit will take place at @oldprintworksbrum as part of @balsallheathsecondsaturday on 8 November from 12-2
link in bio to book your F R E E spot just to get an idea of numbers (there may be a limited amount depending on interest) 🔗 + feel free to dm w any qs -
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 💦
-
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
Focus on sustainable fashion, handmade and hand-upcycled clothing, made from recycled materials. ask about commissions too!
-
MAKE & TADA!
✨ MAKE & TADA! ✨
Pop-Up Creative Workshop📍 The Old Print Works, Birmingham
🗓️ This Saturday
⏰ 12:00 – 1:00 PM🎨 Join us for a fun, hands-on workshop where you’ll make and decorate your very own wooden tealight holder!
Perfect for ages 8+ come along, get creative, and take home something special you’ve made yourself.👩👧 Family-friendly
🛠️ Tools & materials provided
🌟 No experience neededCheck us out on Instagram: Tada_workshop
-
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!
-
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. -
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.
-
HAWWW! zines, diy bits, world-building textures, printed matter + narrative fragments
HAWWW! zines, diy bits, world-building textures, printed matter + narrative fragments… it’s free + open to all!
holding (literal) space for a print + publishing gathering has been a brewing intention of mine for some time, so let’s start with a concept day 🌱
✨maybe you want to bring, create, share, swap +/or test a #zine or #diy fragment or something in #print
✨maybe you want to sell or exhibit your work in true #popup fashion
✨maybe you have ideas to share about a dream #popup or #library or #zinefest environment
✨maybe you want to congregate in a warm + open space
join SEEMAWORLD + @mixedrage (!) at this drop-in session to co-dream about your ideal diy publishing environment 🚪
more on the concept of ‘HAWWW’ itself in the coming weeks and info about the first HAWWW during october’s second saturday
free + open to all!
-
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!
-
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
-
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 -
SEEMAWORLD – studio launch
studio launch! 2pm – 4pm
a one-day portal
roll out of full studio programme for the rest of 2025 · showcase of instruments + 2025- prototypes · mini zine factory · irl surplus store · original SEEMAWORLD works + project updates · irl world-building: cocreation + ideation stations · a peek at SEEMAWORLD inspo + archives · snacks · more -
SOPS film screening – Murder in Paris
Selly Oak Palestine Solidarity presents the film Murder in Paris
Murder in Paris is a political crime documentary that traces the motives for the assassination of anti-Apartheid activist, Dulcie September. The story travels from the heart of Paris in March 1988 to the pursuit of justice in 2021.
This is a free film screening for educational purposes, but please register below for a ticket
-
Peace Garden – Create a Mythical Creature
Help us bring ~even more~ life and colour to our beautiful Peace Garden through some fun creative activities using materials from the earth – clay and chalk 🌞🕊️
🟢 Play with clay and your imagination to create a unique mythical creature to live in the Peace Garden!
🟢 Use chalk to add colour, pattern and messages to the Peace Garden’s planters and pavement flooring
And as always come explore the plants and wildlife, and take a moment to enjoy being at peace within nature 🌿🪻🐦🐞🐝🪱
1 – 4pm (Drop-in)
All ages welcome (Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult)
Free -
MENSTRUATORS – period poverty project
MENSTRUATORS is a period-poverty MA dissertation project Iwriting a poetry/ lyric essay collection about menstruation/ blood (and wider menstruation-related experiences e.g. menopause, pregnancy, PMDD, PMS, early onset menopause) and poverty in the contexts of war, stigma, oppression, religion, homelessness, disability, and neurodivergence. Please feel free to share any thoughts on a post-it note. There will be some prompts to help evoke memories, but share anything you think might be relevant. Response post-its to other people’s responses also encouraged to start conversations.
Nafeesa (b. Kashmir 1993, bred in Birmingham) is a poet; playwright; educator; performer; and director. When she’s not archiving city council bankruptcy, Nafeesa uses the intersectionality of her identity to inform her multi-disciplinary creative practice. Her poetry collection Besharam (Verve Poetry Press) was highly commended in the Forward Prizes 2019. Nafeesa is published in Forward Poems of the Decade 2011-2020 (Faber Poetry), The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write, (Saqi Books). Nafeesa has appeared on BBC Bitesize; BBC Radio 4 Comedy; The Verb; and at literary festivals across the UK, Ireland and Germany. In 2023 she received a scholarship for Writing Poetry MA at Poetry School London, where she continues developing a body of work about corner shop culture, car boots, faith, and divine love.
-
Listening, Crafting & Conversation Circle
Join us this Balsall Heath Second Saturday for an intimate listening, crafting & conversation circle exploring the importance of passing on knowledge of women’s creative work between generations and within communities.
We will invite you to crochet whilst listening to a recorded interview with artist-crafter Jane Thakoordin, before opening up space to share reflections and stories between ourselves about women’s creative work.
This event launches part two of THREADS: An Interactive Exhibition Untangling The Hidden Work Of Women. The exhibition includes oral history interviews with four local women from different backgrounds about how they learnt their creative skills from other women. The interviews were conducted by Kim Chi, who also created artworks in response which are on display in the exhibition, along with craft objects loaned by the interviewees and various interactive activities.
The session will be facilitated by Isra Kausar (Curator), Kim Chi (Artist) and Ella Marshall (Programme Director).
All genders welcome
Ages 14+
No booking required – just show up at 3.30pm
-
Clothes Print Workshop
11am onwards at The Old Print Works
Give your clothes a new bloom! Join us as we celebrate Festival of Blossom with Natasha & Ashleigh for a family-friendly workshop where we’ll breathe new life into old garments. Have a go at making your own print with floral woodblocks.
Bring an old garment of clothing to refresh or print one of the patches provided.
Free
Drop in -
Crochet your Floral Creations
Join us for a fun and creative crochet workshop where you’ll learn how to make stunning, handcrafted flowers. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crocheter, this workshop is perfect for you!
You are invited to bring in your own yarn and hook, and any material you wish to use for the crochet workshop – there will also be materials provided by us so feel free to join us either way!
We will be learning the basics of crochet and learning to read Chinese crochet abbreviations! If you’re interested, please join!I’m a student from Birmingham City University and this workshop is going to contribute to my degree show, if you don’t feel comfortable contributing, please let me know beforehand!
-
Stan’s Cafe’s The Many Lives of PET #1
A complicated comedy about a plastic bottle.
Poor old PET #1. Distantly related to pre historical plankton, used and cast aside every day, desperate not to be buried or cremated, now they’re at the heart of an almighty row between business, governments and people who all love them and hate them at the same time. And that’ s before the cousins #2 – #7 come on the scene!
Stan’s Cafe’s brand new tabletop drama dives deep into the world of plastic.
What’s all the fuss about? What are our options and what could the future look like?
Don’t lose your bottle.
Tickets available here https://www.ticketsource.com/whats-on/birmingham/balsall-heath-second-saturday-the-old-print-works/the-many-lives-of-pet-1/2025-04-12/d-pyzglkuygklbp
-
Kids Art Workshop with Blue Hands
Join us for a special event and free kids art exhibition and workshop. Please bring spare clothes as this workshop may include getting messy and creative. No age limit please can all children be accompanied by an adult. 🎨 🖌️
-
Exhibition Opening: THREADS: An Interactive Exhibition Untangling the Hidden Work of Women (Part One)
Exhibition Opening: THREADS: An Interactive Exhibition Untangling the Hidden Work of Women (Part One)
Saturday 8th March, 11am – 4pm
Join us this International Women’s Day as we launch a new exhibition curated by Isra Kausar @israk_art as part of @balsallheathsecondsaturday . Featuring various craft activities and conversational prompts, the exhibition invites you to talk, listen, reflect and learn about the work of women that too often goes unnoticed and unappreciated.
The things you make and thoughts you share will be a part of the community helping to untangle and appreciate the often hidden work of women, and will be included in Part Two of this exhibition, launching in April. This second part will also feature audio interviews with women local to The GAP exploring their personal stories on how skills are passed down through generations of women, as well as objects and mixed media artworks created in response by Kim Chi (a founding member of The Culture Collective and current team member of The MIX Cafe!).
Part One of this exhibition runs throughout March.
