Craftspace in partnership with mac birmingham present a unique one hour performance by the Torcher Chamber Arkestra, seen live for the first time in England, led by glass artist Carrie Fertig and featuring composer Alistair MacDonald  and percussionist Stu Brown.

In this unusual collaboration Carrie Fertig creates a series of glass instruments, live, using the process of flameworking. These new instruments and others made from recycled glass, are played by her and the musicians and combined with electronic and digital sound.

After each performance the audience will have the opportunity to handle and play the instruments. On Saturday evening there will also be a Q&A with the artists.

More info & booking details on Craftspace’s website.

Came across this today…

The Old Print Works has been active in Balsall Heath now for over 4 years hosting events, letting spaces to designer makers and holding classes and open workshops for the community.

The charity that runs the space (Make It Sustainable Ltd) wants to do more with the space by applying for funding to improve it and increase its community impact and so is in the process of attempting to buy the freehold.

We are in discussions with potential financiers, the council and other partners about our future with an investment proposition based on a clear trading record.

We however face a deadline of June 30th 2016 by which time we need to have our funding package in place (or well on track) or we may need to vacate the premises. we are still hopeful of being able to buy the building – and therefore there are THREE ways you can help us:

Small Investment: We would welcome investment enquiries from individuals who know us or who would like to get to know us and our objectives and who want to see an economic and social return on that investment. More information about that HERE.

Large Investment:If you want to make a large investment please email info@oldprintworks.org

A one off donation: via this link HERE.

For more information about The Old Print Works, visit their website.

Stirchley Baths is looking to commission a Birmingham-based, emerging or early career craft practitioner to develop and produce a ceremonial key inspired by the heritage of the building. When the building was opened in 1911 a beautiful ceremonial key was presented. The 2015 key will be used at the opening event of the building, and both the 1911 and 2015 key will be on display within the building on long term exhibition.

The successful craft practitioner will include a digital element to the commission also, meaning the 2015 key have a wider use than just a physical key, it will have a digital presence too.

Applicants should send up to 300 words about their practice, photographs depicting examples of previous work and an ideas on how you might approach the project to Stirchleybaths@gmail.com.

Fee: £500, plus up to £500 material costs (expenses paid on receipt on delivery of work).

Deadline for applications: Monday 14 September 2015.
The commission must be completed by Friday 16 October 2015.

There are a few other events taking place at Stirchley Baths over the next few weeks:

• Activities as part of the annual Stirchley Summer Bash in Stirchley Park
• The Pool Party

More info on the Stirchley Baths website and newsletter.

Birmingham-based Fran Stone from Fall for DIY (also Hobzy), has today launched We Make Collective!

I decided to start We Make Collective after meeting far too many people that don’t believe in their own creativity. Creativity is something we practice and learn. Not something we’re gifted with.

At We Make Collective we believe in learning through a creative lifestyle. We believe in experimenting and embracing our differences. That’s why our monthly subscription kits are not designed to make a single item, but to enable you to learn a technique and use your individuality to create something unique. We’re also bringing together the best bloggers to show you an array of exclusive skills each month.

There’s more information about WMC, and the kits mentioned above, on their kickstarter!

On May 16th, as part of Craft and Design Month, a series of studio holders in the Custard Factory will be opening their doors to the public offering bookable guided tours throughout the day.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to support your local artists and makers and to get to have a nosy around the more interesting corners of the Custard Factory!
There is a blog for the event HERE and you can book a free tour on the eventbrite page HERE.

The deadline for submissions was early January and the Wild at Heart team received over 275 potential owl designs. Artists are gradually being confirmed for the project and most recently Stourbridge graffiti artist, Lee Woods has been commissioned to design an owl. Lee exploded into the world of graffiti and took on the persona Mac1 in the early 1990’s.

Lee has created a powerful, gritty inspired circular design on a 165cm tall owl statue and at the centre is an all-encompassing and incredibly powerful eye, something he describes as ‘the corridor to knowledge’.

The Big Hoot is going to be a fantastic celebration of art and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. The coming together of artists across a breadth of different disciplines is really refreshing and will create a really exciting trail for the city. Lee

You can find out more about the project here and we will keep you up to date when more artists are confirmed.

This coming Sunday (7th) is mac’s montly craft market, which takes place on the first Sunday of the month.

With a huge history of successful Christmas Craft Fairs here at mac birmingham and a phenomenal number of local designer makers, our spring and summer craft fairs continue this success. With a multitude of stalls and an exclusive selection of products including ceramics, jewellery, paintings, and craft items.

Local designer/makers at Sunday’s market are:

• Jane Anderson | Illustration & Photography | http://www.currentstate.co.uk (whale illustration above)
• Tania Holland | Sculpture | www.taniaholland.com
• Jane Towers | Glass | www.hairydogglass.co.uk
• Ken Hurd | Artist | www.kenhurd.com
• Rebecca Cowley | Laser-cut Jewellery | www.workingclasp.com
• Robert Geoghegan | Prints | www.robspaintings.com
• Robert Mercer | Wood | www.bobmercerwoodturner.co.uk
• Sian Hughes | Jewellery | www.sianelizabethhughes.co.uk
• Alison Perry | Jewellery | www.alisonperry.com
• Helen Wilson | Handmade Books | www.helbentbooks.co.uk
• Helena Moss | Jewellery | helenamossdesigns.co.uk
• Jill Pargeter | Paiting and Prints | www.inhouseclocks.co.uk
• Karen Sheppard | Textiles | www.thesheppardflock.co.uk
• Karoline Rerrie | Screenprints | www.karolinemadethis.blogspot.co.uk
• Kate Holdsworth | Jewellery | www.kateholdsworth.co.uk
• Sarah Wapples | Glass | www.usedandfused.com
• Claire Wainwright | Stained Glass | www.clairewainrightglassart.co.uk
• Claire Brierley | Painting/Photography | www.claire-brierley.co.uk

For more mac Birmingham activities see their website.

Just a quick one, the BIAD – Art & Design MA shows are on now-25th September:

Bursting with creativity and fresh ideas, our MA Shows showcase our emerging professionals and take place across three sites in Birmingham city centre from Mon 1 to Thurs 25 September 2014. These events are free entry. Please note dates and times vary according to each art and design site.

• Art-based Masters at Margaret Street –  Saturday 6th – Friday 12th Sept
• Jewellery, Silversmithing & related products at School of Jewellery Monday 8th – Thursday 25th Sept
• Fashion, Textiles & 3D design at Parkside – Monday 1st – Wednesday 17th Sept
• Visual Communication at Parkside – Monday 8th – Friday 12th Sept

More information on the BIAD website.

Birmingham Literature Festival

This week Birmingham Literature Festival have released their full programme, running from 2-11 October 2014. For updates and news follow them here.

Fierce Festival

The Fierce Festival programme is also now live, running from 2-12 October 2014. They recommend joining their mailing list for updates.

Plastic Fantastic at Ikon Gallery

On Saturday 23rd August join Ikon Gallery for an hour-long 80s inspired jewellery workshop by Working Clasp. Book online or call Ikon Shop on 0121 248 0711.

The Gloaming Tales at mac birmingham

An Artist Rooms Project, The Gloaming Tales is going to be a spellbinding night of myth and legends told by storytellers around the campfire during the most magical time of day, twilight. Find out more here.

Glug Birmingham

We are on the final countdown to Glug, with less than a week to go! This week we have been sending out more flyers and beer mats, folding programmes and also released a promo video by Created in Birmingham’s Finlay Bell. It’s not too late to book tickets, visit the website to book.

Glug Birmingham: Midland Masters [PROMO] from Inkygoodness on Vimeo.

Local artists create edible flag to mark Indian Independence Day

Local artists Alexandria Robinson-Sutherland and Lexx Carby of Uneek Walls worked with ingredients at Birmingham wedding caterer and restaurant, Itihaas, to adorn the four-foot canvas. Using turmeric, basmati rice and coriander leaves the artists created the edible flag to mark Indian Independence Day.

The University of Wolverhampton opened its doors last weekend to friends, family and the general public to celebrate the work of their students. This has been a tradition in their building since 1969 with over 8,000 students taking part to date. The degree show is on until Saturday 14th June.

The Birmingham Institute of Art and Design Graduate shows are also on until Saturday 14th June with dates and activities varying across location and subject areas, please check the website to find out more. With the main subject areas spanning art, visual communication, fashion & textiles, 3D design, architecture and jewellery – there is a lot to go and see.

Staffordshire University’s annual Art and Design show opens Friday 13th June and will be open to everyone until Saturday 21st June. The show is a celebration of a range of work across their Art & Design courses. To find out more about ‘Show & Tell’ please visit their website.

We hope that the graduate shows for University of Worcester and Coventry University went well and wish all the Art & Design students the best of luck! We look forward to seeing your work.