Balsall Heath Second Saturday

Monthly creative festival

Category: The Old Print Works

  • Black British Book Festival workshop with Apet Ashley. 11am-12.30pm, Lower Gallery, OPW

    Join Apet Ashley for an interactive family workshop which combines storytelling, games and hands-on activities to introduce children to important money skills in a fun and engaging way.

    All ages welcome, children must be accompanied at all times.

    This event is organised by the Black British Book Festival. Selina Brown, Founder and CEO is a Studio Partner at The Old Print Works and the founder of the Black British Book Festival and the inaugural National Reading Hero recipient of the Queen’s Reading Room Medal. Her Penguin picture book My Rice is Best has been shortlisted for the British Book Awards 2026, The Laugh Out Loud Book Awards 2026 and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2026.

    This is a free event. If you’d like to support The Old Print Works please consider making a donation here.

  • Beyond the Margins: Stories That Stay. 11am-4pm, Upper Gallery, OPW

    After months of creating, exploring and sharing, Beyond the Margins is proud to present Stories That Stay – our end of programme showcase, celebrating the creativity, voices and journeys of the young people who have taken part in this year’s programme. Organised by Inspire Hub.

    Join us at The Old Print Works for a welcoming afternoon of art, storytelling and community as our exhibiting artists share work that holds personal meaning to them. From culturally significant traditions and heritage, to identity, belonging, memory, resistance and self-expression, every piece tells a story worth hearing.

    Whether you’re passionate about the arts or simply curious, we’d love for you to come along, explore the exhibition and celebrate these powerful young voices.

    Here’s what you can enjoy:

    Explore our storytelling exhibition
    Try our Poetry Prescription activity and take home a little healing
    Contribute to a collaborative community artwork
    Take home a Polaroid memory
    Arts & crafts table for children
    Free refreshments from 11am

    You can also take part in a free zine making workshop with illustrator Layla Sadiq (1.30-3pm). More information here.

    Bring your friends, bring your family, or come on your own—everyone is welcome. Come and discover the stories that stay with us long after we leave.

    📍 The Old Print Works, B12 9AH
    🗓️ 8th August 2026, 11am–4pm
    🎟️ Free drop-in exhibition

  • Children’s Author Session: My Rice Is Best with Selina Brown. 11am-12.30pm, Courtyard/Lower Gallery, OPW

    Rice and peas or jollof rice?

    The great rice debate is coming to Second Saturday at The Old Print Works.

    Join award-shortlisted children’s author Selina Brown for a fun, joyful children’s session based on her hilarious picture book My Rice is Best.

    There’ll be a lively story reading, arts and crafts, a chance for children to ask Selina questions, and books available to buy on the day.

    Expect big laughs, bold opinions and plenty of children shouting about which rice is really the best.

    Free to attend — all children welcome.

    Saturday 11th July 2026 at The Old Print Works,  498-506 Moseley Road in Balsall Heath, B12 9AH,
    11am–12.30pm

    My Rice is Best  follows Shane, who knows that rice and peas is the best rice in the world — until his friend Yinka turns up with jollof rice and starts a delicious showdown.

    A funny, warm and colourful celebration of food, friendship, culture and pride.

    Selina Brown is a Studio Partner at The Old Print Works and the founder of the Black British Book Festival and the inaugural National Reading Hero recipient of the Queen’s Reading Room Medal. Her Penguin picture book My Rice is Best has been shortlisted for the British Book Awards 2026, The Laugh Out Loud Book Awards 2026 and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2026.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Craft Design & Technology for under 11’s. 11am-3pm, Upper Gallery, OPW

    Craft Design & Technology for under 11’s. 11am-3pm, Upper Gallery, OPW

    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.

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

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

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

    July stallholders include:

    • AimeeJMakes, selling handmade gifts that are upcycled, foraged and repurposed
    • Daily Thread, selling craft kits and plants
    • Lisa Birchall, selling hand-drawn illustrations
    • Little Crafter, selling bookmarks, cards, key rings, necklaces, rings, bracelets and airdry clay
    • Maji Designs, selling crystals and precious stones
    • MAKE & TADA!, selling handmade wooden items
    • Shanna Man, brings a live portrait photobooth, capturing not only people’s faces, but the stories and moments that make them who they are. Come sit for a portrait, have a conversation, and leave with a hand-drawn memory of yourself.
    • 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.
    • The Old Print Works, bric a brac
    • Youth Front For Palestine, information and merchandise

    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).

  • Banner design workshop with WMPSC. 11am-4pm, Lower Gallery/Courtyard, OPW

    Join a free workshop to design banners and placards for West Midlands Palestine Solidarity Campaign (WMPSC). They will also be promoting produce from Palestine.

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

  • The Original Art Club. 11am-4pm, Courtyard/Lower Gallery, OPW

    The Original Art Club. 11am-4pm, Courtyard/Lower Gallery, 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 Local History Society. 11am-4pm, Lower Gallery/Courtyard, OPW

    Meet members of the Balsall Heath Local History Society and learn about their project Balsall Heath in Changing Times and the relaunched local newsletter The Heathan.

    Balsall Heath Local History Society is a Studio Partner at The Old Print Works.

  • Change Kitchen. 11am-4pm, The MIX Cafe

    Change Kitchen CIC will be doing a Cafe Takeover and running The Mix Community Cafe at The Old Print Works.

    Open 11am-4pm, serving artisan drinks and ethical, climate-friendly food that’s yummy, and does more good across our communities.

  • Pedal Powered Energy Workshop. 10am-4pm, Transfer Co-Working, Upper Floor, OPW

    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.

  • Risograph Printing with Print and Matter. 11am-4pm, MIAH Gallery, 496 Moseley Road

    Join artist Sofia Niazi from Print and Matter for a Risograph workshop at MIAH Gallery (11am-1pm, £10) or a private print slot (2-4pm, 30 min slots, £10 technician fee + cost of print job).

    Book here.

    Sofia Niazi is a Studio Partner at The Old Print Works.

  • Change Kitchen pop up cafe. 11am-4pm, The MIX cafe

    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.

  • 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

  • DIY Home Energy Solutions with Community Energy Birmingham. 11am-4pm, Courtyard/Lower Gallery, OPW

    This workshop, led by Community Energy Birmingham, gives people hands on experience installing home energy efficiency measures. Funded by Central Co-Op.

  • 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

  • Community Photography Exhibition, 11am-4pm, Upper Gallery, OPW

    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.

  • Each Child a Light Creative Workshop. 11.30am-1pm, Upper Gallery, OPW

    Join artists Jane Thakoordin and Fiona Bailey for a creative workshop to accompany the Each Child a Light Exhibition at The Old Print Works.

    Design and make your own decorative square honouring and remembering a child killed in Gaza. Your completed work will be stitched into the growing quilt alongside others already made by hundreds of people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience including artists, crafters, community and faith groups, children and students.

    Free, but please register here as spaces are limited.
    All materials provided and open to everyone over the age of 14.

  • HeArts for Grenfell with Jane Thakoordin. 11.30am-1pm, Lower Gallery studio, OPW

    An opportunity to contribute to the national Grenfell Memorial Quilt project, creating a lasting creative legacy to those who died in the fire 9 years ago, shining a light on the injustice and inequalities of unsafe housing. 

    Join Jane Thakoordin in a gentle and reflective session. All materials provided.

    Venue: ground floor studio (1 small step).

    Please note due to the subject matter and materials, this activity is for people over 12 years old.

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

    Jane Thakoordin is a Studio Partner at The Old Print Works.

  • Hong Kong Street Food Clay Kitchen with Wonderfish Art Studio. 12-1pm, Lower Gallery, OPW

    Sculpt your Hong Kong street food in this fun hands-on workshop led by artist Wan Yu Fish from Wonderfish Art Studio!

    Learn to mix colours with air-dry clay, create textures through sculpting and painting, and make bite-sized models of the iconic curry fish balls and siu mai from Hong Kong! Perfect for families, together we’ll learn about Hong Kong’s delicious street food, how it is made, while making our own clay food model!

    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.

  • SEEMAWORLD – Soft Crits. 12-2pm, Lower Gallery, OPW

    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

  • Swiss Darning with Daily Thread. 12-2.30pm, Upper Gallery, OPW

    In this workshop you will master Swiss Darning, a clever way that mimics knitted stitches to make holes and thin patches disappear.

    This session is taught by @knitwithu – a BCU textiles student specialising in knit – arrive as a beginner and leave as a pro!

    You will learn how to repair your knits like an expert, giving you the skills to fight fast fashion by making your clothes last longer. We provide all the needles, colourful yarns, and practice fabric you need, so you can walk out with a more sustainable wardrobe and the confidence to keep your favourite sweaters in great shape for years to come.

    Tickets cost £4 full price / £3 concessions.

    Please book here.

    This workshop takes place in Daily Thread, the community textiles space at The Old Print Works. Please note this space is located on the first floor and only accessible via a number of stairs.

  • The Big Plastic Count Results 2026. 12-4pm, Lower Gallery, OPW

    THE BIG PLASTIC COUNT 2026 RESULTS ARE IN!

    Join us for a drop-in discussion and creative activity to celebrate the completion of this year’s Big Plastic Count and hear about the actions we can take to minimise plastic pollution.

    Back in March, thousands of people from schools, households, community groups and workplaces across the UK counted their plastic waste for one week as part of the UK’s biggest people-powered investigation into plastic waste.

    Now, we’ve crunched the numbers and processed the data, and our results reveal the shocking scale of the UK’s big plastic problem…

    This is a free drop-in with no need to book. If you’ve ever wondered what exactly happens to your plastic waste, what actions we think our government should be taking, or simply want to chat, then come along!

  • Create Your Own Anime Character with Esca09. 12-4pm, Lower Gallery, OPW

    Join artist Esca09 for a drop-in beginner friendly workshop to create your own anime character.

    Participants learn some simple techniques for drawing an original anime-style character, including facial features, hairstyles and clothing, before adding colour and personal details to make the character their own. The workshop is suitable for beginners, including children (with parental supervision), and no previous drawing experience is needed.

    The session will be around 30–45 minutes, depending on the participants.

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

  • Woodwork with MAKE & TADA! 1-2.45pm, Lower Gallery, OPW

    In this session with MAKE & TADA!, participants can make their own summer wind chime.

    Participants will create a colourful wooden wind chime, choosing from a heart, star or house design and finishing it with either a decorative bell or three colourful hanging chimes.

    This is a relaxed, welcoming free 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:
    1-1.45pm (max 6 ppl)

    2-2.45pm (max 6 ppl) 
    Booking is essential, please book here.

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

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

  • Balsall Heath Alliance

    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.

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

    Balsall Heath Repair Cafe is back again at Balsall Heath Second Saturday. Repairers include textiles and knife sharpening.

    Check balsallheathrepaircafe.org for repairers closer to the day.

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

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

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

  • A Green Vision for Balsall Heath. 2-4pm, Director’s Office (Courtyard), OPW

    Join a drop-in workshop with Balsall Heath People’s Emergency Briefing.

    We are writing and/or drawing requests to our MPs to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels and to properly brief the nation on the scientific, economic and societal need to treat the changes in climate and nature as an emergency.

    All ages welcome.