Free creative festival
Join a free workshop to design banners for West Midlands Palestine Solidarity Campaign (WMPSC) and promote the upcoming visit of women from the West Bank as part of their Al-Khalil Birmingham Friendship project. They will also be promoting produce from Palestine.
This session is free, please consider making a donation here.
As part of Birmingham Permaculture Network Weekender, learn how to make a bike powered generator, for sound systems, device charging and more. Led by Rakesh Rootsman Rak.
Reserve a space here.
This workshop is free, please consider making a donation here.
The CDT room has a range of tools for turning, milling, precision cutting, drilling, engraving and pyrography. 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.
These sessions are run by Richard Newton who has 30 years of experience teaching craft, design & technology to children.
90 minute session. £8 per child / £6 per sibling
Richard Newton is a Studio Partner at The Old Print Works.
Change Kitchen CIC take over the MIX cafe at The Old Print Works for a pop up as part of Balsall Heath Second Saturday on 11 April.
This workshop, led by Community Energy Birmingham, gives people hands on experience installing home energy efficiency measures. Funded by Central Co-Op.
11am onwards – drop in, The Old Print Works upper gallery
Wood working skills that can set you up for life
pricing available in workshop
Bric a brac/clothes/local makers/curios and more
May stallholders include:
If you would like to be part of the market, please contact us at info@oldprintworks.org or book a stall here (cost £10 or £90 for 12 months).
Photographer Laura Gale: Druids Heath
The Old Print Works hosts a Community Photography Exhibition, organised in partnership with PRISM, Darkroom Birmingham and IGERS Birmingham.
Photographers were asked to submit up to 3 digital images focussing on the theme ‘Community’ and over 75 photographers submitted their images.
This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
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.
Spring is here! Come and join Wonderfish Art Studio to draw and paint your spring, and bunnies, bees, blossoms, birds and breeze… We’ll learn various techniques and celebrate spring together!
Saturday 11 April 12-1pm
Materials are provided. Drop-in, free.
Recommended age: 4-12 years old
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
Join us on Saturday 11 April, 12–2pm. In this session with MAKE & TADA!, participants can make a personalised hanging mirror. Leave with something you made and a message you need.
This is a relaxed, welcoming free community workshop, suitable for all abilities. All materials are provided, along with guidance throughout. *Children under the age of 8 must be supervised by an accompanying adult*
This workshop is free, please consider making a donation here.
MAKE & TADA! is a Studio Partner at The Old Print Works.
The Balsall Heath Alliance is a group of local community organisations working across Balsall Heath.
They are keen to update the policies that govern how local Planning Decisions are made, and to do that are consulting on updating the current Local Neighbourhood Plan. At this stage, they are keen to get feedback from residents about all the issues that matter to them. They will be asking local people a few key questions so that they can collate feedback about the priority local issues.
Meet members of the Balsall Heath Local History Society and learn about their current project Balsall Heath in Changing Times.
Balsall Heath Local History Society is a Studio Partner at The Old Print Works.
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 session is free, please consider making a donation here.
Sundragon Pottery are a Studio Partner at The Old Print Works.
As part of Balsall Heath Second Saturday on 11 April, explore the BRL collection, borrow books and take part in free workshops and activities. Open to all. 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
1-5 pm
Design and Colour in a Bookmark
Drop-in activity suitable for all ages
1-5pm
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.
1-5pm
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
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.
Community Energy Birmingham (CEB) is running the Seeing in Colour project (funded by the University of Birmingham) to host free thermal imaging workshops and evening walks in your
neighbourhood. These events will help local residents grow their understanding of heat loss in homes.
CEB are a non-profit organisation who have experience since 2012 in delivering projects which improve the city of Birmingham’s relationship with energy.
Our thermal camera classes will show you:
This is an excellent educational opportunity for families with complimentary snacks and hot/soft drinks provided.
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.
head, face, top of neck, hands, feet, general relaxation all donations to SIFA Fireside
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)
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.
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!
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.
Re-evolutionary percussion and dance workshop for the mind and body. This session is suitable for those with little or no experience.
Sessions run by Richard Sealy, a percussionist of 40+ years’ experience. Rhythms learned will be based around the Afro diasporas, including Brazil, South America and the Caribbean.
This session is free, please consider making a donation here.
Rhythms for Life runs weekly sessions at The Old Print Works. Find out more here.
Presented as part of the Birmingham Permaculture Network Weekender and Balsall Heath Second Saturday on 11 April.
This event is free, please consider making a donation here.
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 💦
