Week three of 100 Days of Creativity was particularly exciting for me, and in week four you’ll get to see why…
Over the last few months I’ve been supporting the development of Birmingham Creates: The Open, the city’s inaugural open art competition, and the results of the competition have now been revealed in two fantastic outdoor exhibitions.
That’s not all that’s going on of course - here are my four highlights for 10 - 16 June:
Birmingham Creates: The Open
Snow Hill Square & Victoria Square
5 June - 5 July
Head over to Snow Hill Square to see the 10 shortlisted artists from this exciting open call and don’t miss a wider collection of artwork over in Victoria Square too. It was a real pleasure to support Colmore BID and Central BID in developing this project and a highlight of that was being on the judging panel. When you visit the Snow Hill show, don’t miss Ava Khera’s Nature’s Embrace - I found this to be such a beautiful artwork; serene but captivating.
Whilst you’re there, do vote for your favourite in the ‘People’s Award’! The winner will be awarded a £1000 cash prize plus a portfolio review.
More here: https://colmorebusinessdistrict.com/events/birmingham-creates-the-open/
Pasta! Pasta! A Taste of Italy
Gulp
15 June
I have been following Kaye’s work for close to a decade and now. Kaye brings together some of my favourite things in her practice - art, performance, food and drink. I’ve been to many of her events over the years - she’s an absolute talent and her dining experiences are, in my opinion, some of the most creative and interesting in the region - do look out for those!
In this workshop Kaye and Matt (who leads the session) are keeping it simple, learn to make pasta, cook it and eat it - all in great company. If you’re looking for something a little different to do on Saturday, look no further.
Tickets here: https://www.kayewinwood.com/events-gulp/pasta-pasta-workshop-with-mangia-mangia-yh8e6
Victorian Radicals
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
On throughout the 100 days of creativity
I am borderline obsessed with this exhibition - I’ve seen it more times than I care to count now. It’s a joy to just be able to go back into the BMAG - although I can’t wait for the whole museum to be fully open again.
The exhibition itself is a triumph - a multi-award winning show that got an incredible reception when it toured the US but it always deserved to be shown in it’s home here in Birmingham. This is a stunning showcase of the city’s collection - absolutely unmissable.
Tickets here: https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/exhibitions/victorian-radicals
Ballet Black
Birmingham Rep
13 June & 14 June
I only had to watch the trailer for Ballet Black to know this absolutely had to be one of the events I highlighted for the week ahead. Don’t just take my word for it though, watch it yourself here.
Buy a ticket and you’ll be treated to a double bill. First The Waiting Game by award-winning choreographer Mthuthuzeli November, followed by If at First by Sophie Laplane.
Described by the guardian as ‘Exhilarating’, this is set to be extraordinary.
Tickets start at just £16.50: https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/ballet-blackheroes/?utm_medium=culturehosts&utm_source=Visit+Birmingham+-+Simpleview&utm_campaign=Ballet+Black
Alex Nicholson-Evans