Come along and try some apple varieties with Sally, the new Postcode Gardener for Balsall Heath. Find out more about the work that will be going on in Balsall Heath to make it a more beautiful place, and how you can get involved!
Category: The Old Print Works
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Creative writing workshop with Leila Rasheed & The Emma Press
Creative writing workshop with Leila Rasheed & The Emma Press, 2pm Saturday 11 November
If you have an idea for a children’s story and are looking for some friendly support and practical encouragement, grab your pen & paper and join author Leila Rasheed and local publisher The Emma Press for a creative writing workshop. Leila will explore the joys and challenges in creating compelling literature for children, share some exercises to help get ideas flowing and offer feedback on opening pages.
Tickets ÂŁ5/pay what you can, please book in advance: maximum 12 participants
Please note this workshop is aimed at adults writing for children. It is not a workshop for children.
About the workshop leader:
Leila Rasheed’s first novel for children, Chips, Beans and Limousines was published in 2008 and followed by two sequels which were widely translated. Since then, she has written a wide variety of children’s and YA literature, including the At Somerton trilogy for Disney Hyperion, and biographies of Kamala Harris and Katherine Johnson. Her most recent novel is Empire’s End: A Roman Story (Scholastic), which follows the adventures of a North African girl during the late Roman Empire. In 2015 she set up a pioneering scheme to mentor new children’s writers of colour, called Megaphone, now Megaphone Writers CIC.
The Emma Press is an independent publisher based in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter specialising in poetry, short fiction and children’s books with a mission of making publishing and literature as welcoming and accessible as possible.
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Repair Cafe – November
September 9th 2023 2 – 5pm Drawing room, The Old Print Works, Courtyard entrance
Balsall Heath Repair Cafe is back again at Balsall Heath Second Saturday. Repairers include woodwork ,brass polishing, general repairs, textiles, knife sharpening, bike repair, scrapstore, mechanical electrics, textiles. Check balsallheathrepaircafe.org for repairers closer to the day
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Bike donation with The Bike Project
Do you have an unused bike collecting dust? đ˛ Consider donating it to a refugee!
The Bike Project collects secondhand bikes, refurbishes them, and provides them to refugees and people seeking asylum. In the UK, over 230,000 refugees and people seeking asylum face challenging circumstances, having fled persecution and war, often unable to work and reliant on limited allowances. Meanwhile, there are around 38 million unused bikes across the country. Matching the two can offer immediate financial relief and practical benefits.
“When you have to go from charity to charity to feed yourself, a bike becomes very important to your life.” – Adam, Bike Recipient
Join us at the Balsall Heath Second Saturday with a pop-up drop-off point. Donate your bike on Saturday, November 11th, from 10 am to 4 pm at The Old Print Works, 498-506 Moseley Road, Birmingham, B12 9AH.
Your unused bike can transform the life of a refugee! Register your bike here: thebikeproject.co.uk/donate-bike
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Sundragon Community Pottery clay Xmas Decoration making workshop
12 – 4pm The Old Print Works
Sundragon Community Pottery will be hosting a FREE Christmas decoration making workshop.
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Tattoo flash day
Local artist Julia Frost is holding a very special tattoo flash day in collaboration with our neighborhood women’s charity Anawim.
There will be plenty of pre-drawn, small designs to choose from at set prices. Simple requests such as text and linework designs are also welcome. Walk in anytime between 10am to 6pm on Saturday the 11th Nov.
All net proceeds of the event will go to Anawim, an independent charity dedicated to supporting and empowering women in and around Birmingham.
Stop by to have a look and a chat and find out more about what Anawim does and how you can help.
Check out Julia’s work on Instagram @juliafrosttattoo
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Oriental Star Express exhibition
10-4 upper gallery The Old Print Works
Another chance to see this piece of Balsall Heath and South Asian music history.
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The Old Print Works market October
10am – 4pm The Old Print Works, Lower Gallery
Art and crafts from the people at The Old Print Works community and beyond including pottery, art, jewellery, postcards, crafts, and lots lots more.
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The Original Art Club – Every month at Second Saturdays
The Original Art Club to The Old Print Works and Balsall Heath Second Saturdays.
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 âI can doâ 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.
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Myrtle Cottage Garden Project with The GAP
Join us this Saturday between 12-3pm to find out all about our new garden project and how you can get involved! â¨đą
You will be able toâŚ.
đ âŚhave a rare opportunity to look around the charming front garden of Myrtle Cottage, the oldest house in Balsall Heath and the former home of The Old Print Works director
đđ˝ âŚmeet Rebekah Warmington, Nature Pedagogue and Environmental Educator, who is collaborating with The GAP and young people to regenerate the garden
đĄâŚshare your ideas for how the garden can be transformed into an urban oasis which reflects the heart and history of Balsall Heath and its vibrant communities and cultures
đ âŚget crafty with some Autumnal Activities to get your ideas flowing!
Be sure to pop by, have a little browse, let your imagination wander and share your ideas and inspiration to support the project đŤ
All ages.
Free.
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Mini Paint by Prompt from Nurture and Heal
2pm – 4pm, The Old Print Works
It’s back, your favourite workshop!!! Come along to our mini paint by prompt workshop! As we are entering a new season, we are excited to warmly welcome an autumn themed painting experience!! Create a mini painting on a mini canvas. This is an intuitive art workshop to reconnect you with your inner artist while creating a calming environment of wellbeing.
No experience is required (there is no right or wrong way here, this workshop is for relaxation purposes but also we welcome anyone eager to learn and develop their painting skills), all materials and light nibbles will be provided, and ALL ages are welcome! It’s going to be so much fun and we can’t wait to see you there!
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Family woodcarving with Pathcarvers -October 14th from 11am
11am until 1pm, Drawing Room, Courtyard Entrance, The Old Print Works
Monthly family carving club, all ages welcome, learn how to use a sharp knife to make beautiful things from wood
Donation/ pay what you feel – drop in
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Sundragon Community Pottery clay pumpkin lantern making workshop.
12 – 4pm The Old Print Works
Sundragon Community Pottery will be hosting a FREE clay pumpkin making workshop.
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A Bedroom For Everyone –
Join us at the Old Print Works for the community screening of A Bedroom For Everyone, a new film commissioned by Ed Webb-Ingall, currently showing at Grand Union 1pm-4pm The Drawing Room, The Old Print Works
Taking inspiration from Leeds Animation Workshop’s powerful short animation ‘Home and Dry’ from 1987, which remains strikingly relevant today, ‘A Bedroom for Everyone’ serves as a sequel of sorts, shifting our focus to the current housing crises and the essential role of grassroots organizing. It prompts us to reflect on the progress we have made and the work that still lies ahead. đŞđ â
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The script of this animation was crafted collaboratively with members from four inspiring activist and community groups: Save Druids Heath and Acorn Union from Birmingham, Akwaaba Social Centre for Migrants and Housing Action Southwark & Lambeth from London. By incorporating the voices and perspectives of those with lived experience of the housing crisis, the film acts as a powerful resource, inspiring individuals to seek out local groups, lend a helping hand, raise awareness, and contribute to the cause. It is a testament to the strength of collective action and the transformative potential it holds. đâ¤ď¸â
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We invite you to engage with ‘A Bedroom for Everyone’ as a resource that can be shared with anyone interested or engaged in housing struggles. Reach out to us at info@grand-union.org.uk if you would like to showcase this impactful film in your community setting. Let’s empower one another, raise our voices, and ignite positive change. Together, we can make housing a fundamental right for all. đ§đ Available in Arabic, English, Polish, and Spanish. đđ â
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Made by: â
@Edwebbingallâ
@Sofia_niaziâ
@astroidgâ
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With support from: â
@acornbirminghamâ
@sifafiresideofficialâ
@leedsanimationâ
@makinglevelâ
@stirchleycdâ
@granby4streetscltâ
@Acorn_nottsâ
@nottm_contempâ
@luxscotâ
@rule_of_threesâ
The Women Asylum Seekers Housing Projectâ
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Generously funded by: â
@oak_foundationâ
@aceagramsâ
@artfundâ
@unibirminghamâ
@serpentineuk -
Hell Bus Tour 2023
The âHell Busâ is an exciting interactive art installation by artist Darren Cullen (@SpellingMistakesCostLives) exposing the dirty tactics polluting industries employ to green their public image. Joined by campaign group Adfree Cities and environmental organisation Switch It Green, people of all ages will be welcomed aboard the exhibition to be entertained, educated, and encouraged to get involved.
The bus has already made appearances at COP26, Glastonbury Festival and Boomtown, and featured in comedian Joe Lycettâs Channel 4 documentary âJoe Lycett vs The Oil Giantâ. It is sure to catch some eyes in Birmingham.
The exhibitionâs tour is timely, as public concern surrounding planet-harming activities and fossil fuel expansion is high while greenwashing by large corporations is leaving individuals feeling unsure of the solutions. The âHell Busâ tells this story in a fun and accessible way, while Adfree Cities and Switch It Green are on hand to provide people with simple, effective ways to take positive action against oil and gas companies like Shell.
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The GAP Youth Theatre Free Taster Session
YOUTH THEATRE
FREE TASTER SESSION
Saturday 9 Sept 1-4pm The GAP
An exciting opportunity for creative, curious, local young people 12-16 yrs, who love to explore, imagine, tell stories & step into other people’s shoes. This is taster session for regular, weekly youth theatre sessions on Saturday afternoons. From Sept – March we will be exploring the theme ‘The Island’ What’s it all about? What does it mean to live on an island? How does it shape who we are, and who we are not? What does it mean to be “castaway’? And what is it like to be colonised? Islands have a gripping hold on our imaginations, offering conflicting possibilities: a paradise or a prison? refuge or danger? community or complete isolation?
Give it a go…
Don’t worry if you’re not sure this is your thing⌠Come along and try it out this Saturday and see what you think. You can also find out more about the other exciting plans and amazing opportunities being a member of The GAP Youth Theatre has to offer!
What’s involved?
We will use all kinds of drama techniques to get inside the hearts and minds of islanders, design theatre sets, make amazing masks and learn how to tell stories collectively for an audience through performance.
Who’s leading it?
The GAP has an excellent track record of giving young people meaningful and transformational arts experiences. It has highly experienced staff who are expert at facilitating the development of creativity, critical thinking, a confident sense of self and personal values, through the social practice of making theatre.
What will it cost?
There is NO CHARGE to belong to the GAP Youth Theatre. We just ask that you contribute your commitment. As well as having loads of fun on this project you will also need to be prepared to work hard as a reliable member of the team.
NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED
FREE MEMBERSHIP
TRY BEFORE YOU COMMIT
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Roots of Love: Cyanotype Windrush 75 free Workshop September
2pm The Old Print Works organised by 0121 Collective CIC
This is an inter generational project that aims to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Windrush generation. To do this we are running free workshops where we will use cyanotypes photo process (blue prints) to share stories, learn and connect with each other. It’s free to join in.
Everyone is welcome and we especially would love to see people from the Windrush communities in Birmingham to come forward and share stories.
Workshop
We have three Saturday sessions coming up June to August which wil take place on Balsall Heath Second Saturday sessions where The Old Print Works and other places nearby hold a monthly creative open day.
The workshop will last two hours and theme of this session is Roots of Love – which explores the Carribean family in Britian. We will mainly look at make cyanotypes using old photographs and used postcards to share stories.
Tianna who is leading the project will tell you about her Nan’s front room who moved to Birmingham in the 1960s from Jamaica. Tracey who is the lead artist on the project will help people to make cyanotypes using lace and dollies on fabric and paper.
Cyanotype is a 19th Century photo process which uses the sun or a UV lamp to make amazing blue images.
We invite people to add work through a cyanotype image to the collaborative tapestry (fabric) that we are making for the project.
It’s free come and all materials provided.
The project is funded by National Lottery Community Fund
Book below
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Sundragon Community Pottery Workshop
12 – 4pm The Old Print Works
Sundragon Community Pottery will be hosting a FREE soap dish making workshop.
Come and make a simple soap dish.
For an additional cost of ÂŁ5, you can choose to have your soap dish glazed and fired, to collect at the next Second Saturday, in October, when we shall be hosting a âclay pumpkin lanternâ making workshop.
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Musical Wellbeing Workshop with Arianna
2pm – 3.30pm The Old Print Works Music workshop with Arianna
we will play, sing, make some noise and have fun.
Just bring yourself – no experience necessary
See you there!
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Oriental Star Party
Come and join us to celebrate the opening of Oriental Star Express exhibition in collaboration with @oldprintworksbrum. The celebration includes artist talk by @faishussainism, showing of our film ‘Request Line’, great music by @rizmi_____ , and food. This is a free event and everyone is welcomed. Booking below
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Aluminium embossing workshop with Art Metallix
2pm -4pm The Old Print Works upper gallery
Birmingham Heritage week starts at The Old Print Works with a unique workshop for embossing on aluminium with Art Metallix. Get creative and transform ordinary aluminium into something extraordinary with this hands-on workshop. Perfect for all skill levels, you’ll receive guidance from Mel to learn and practice embossing techniques.
Only 10 spots available, be sure to book your place â special concessionary rates available, please email info@secondsaturday.org.uk and we will send you a code.
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Blackout Poetry and illustrations with Nurture and Heal
Take an existing text such as a page from a book, to create a poem and to create illustrations that complement the words
Link to the tickets here
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Kitchen Lithography Workshop with Isra
Lower gallery – The Old Print Works 10 years and over
Lithography printing was an innovative printing technique that made JH Butchers & Co world famous for their transfers. In this workshop, you will learn how to recreate this process (using items found in your own kitchen) and create a design to decorate your own postcards and greeting cards.
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Writing for Children with Kereen Getten and The Emma Press
Time: 2-3.30pm, Saturday 9th September
If you have an idea for a children’s story and are looking for some friendly support and practical encouragement, grab your pen & paper and join author Kereen Getten and publisher The Emma Press for a creative writing workshop.
“One of the things I love about writing, is creating a world that engulfs the reader, not one they view from afar. In this workshop we will master how to create a story so vivid that the reader feels they are part of the world you created. We will learn about atmospheric writing. Creating stories that take readers on a journey where they smell, touch and feel everything in your story. We will use exercises that will help you develop new ways to make your world and your characters come to life.” – Kereen Getten
Pay what you can/suggested donation ÂŁ5, please book a space below : maximum 12 participants
NB: This workshop is aimed at adults who are interested in writing children’s literature, it is not for children.
Venue: Second Saturday
About Kereen:
Kereen Getten grew up in Jamaica where she would climb fruit trees in the family garden and eat as much mango, guinep and pear as she could without being caught. She now lives in Birmingham with her family and writes stories about her childhood experiences. Her novels include the Waterstones Childrenâs Book Prize-shortlisted debut When Life Gives You Mangoes (2020), a mystery novel in which the main character Clara struggles to remember what happened to her during an island storm the previous year, If You Read This (2022) revolving around a poignant treasure hunt that Brieâs late mother has set up around her island home, and The Case of the Lighthouse Intruder (2023) the first in the gripping Di Island Crew series, all published by Pushkin Press.
About The Emma Press:
The Emma Press is an independent publisher based in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter specialising in poetry, short fiction and children’s books with a mission of making publishing and literature as welcoming and accessible as possible.
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Repair Cafe – September
September 9th 2023 2 – 5pm Drawing room, The Old Print Works, Courtyard entrance
Balsall Heath Repair Cafe is back again at Balsall Heath Second Saturday. Repairers include woodwork ,brass polishing, general repairs, textiles, knife sharpening, bike repair, scrapstore, mechanical electrics, textiles. Check balsallheathrepaircafe.org for repairers closer to the day
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Family woodcarving with Pathcarvers -September 9th from 11am
11am until 1pm, Drawing Room, Courtyard Entrance, The Old Print Works
Monthly family carving club, all ages welcome, learn how to use a sharp knife to make beautiful things from wood
Donation/ pay what you feel – drop in
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Climate Nans Caravan 10-1 The Old Print Works
âWe Are Hereâ Campaign invites you to put your feet up, have a cuppa, some biscuits and talk to Climate Nan about the challenges that our homes, streets and neighbourhoods are facing.
Climate Nan, as part of the We Are Here Campaign, will be parking her caravan at multiple locations across Ladywood and Balsall Heath between the 11th and 13th August as part of a tour of communities who have invited her to talk about the climate crisis. Residents can visit, share their concerns and discuss what can be done. Climate Nan will be offering a friendly ear to the neighbourhood with a warm invite and welcome into the caravan where you can either write a letter to the PM or local MP and or record a contribution to the podcast that will be recorded throughout the tour.Other stops of the tour:
Friday 11th August, 10:00 -2:00 PM at the Neighbourhood Supper Club Summer Special hosted by CIVIC SQUARE and neighbours at Midland Sailing Club, Icknield Port Rd, Birmingham B16 0AA
Friday 11th August, 3:00 – 6:00 PM at Birmingham Settlement- Edgbaston Reservoir Nature & Wellbeing Centre, 79 Selwyn Rd, Birmingham B16 0SL
Saturday 12th August, 3:00 – 6:00 PM with Edgbaston Reservoir Collaborative (ERCO) at Midland Sailing Club, Icknield Port Rd, Birmingham B16 0AA
Sunday 13th August, 10:00 – 4:00 PM at The B16 Lunch hosted by CIVIC SQUARE, South Loop Park, B16 0AE
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The Crafty Social august 12th
4pm onwards, Upper Gallery, The Old Print Works
A little bit of food, music and drink. Pay as you feel, chilled music, a delicious plant-based meal, good company and craft activities
Pay what you can/free
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The Old Print Works market August
10am – 4pm The Old Print Works, Lower Gallery
Art and crafts from the people at The Old Print Works community and beyond including pottery, art, jewellery, postcards, crafts, and lots lots more.
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tapestry and weaving with Art Metallix
From 12pm, all ages welcome
Tapestry and weaving with Art Metallix, in the Upper Gallery at The Old Print Works