Today (14th February) sees the start of New Art West Midlands 2014. It was announced in December that 24 emerging artists from our own regional universities would exhibit their work within four different galleries across Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

A Turning Point West Midlands initiative, New Art West Midlands exhibits the work of 24 artists, all of whom have graduated from one of the region’s undergraduate and postgraduate fine art degree courses in the past three years: Birmingham City University, Coventry University, Staffordshire University, University of Wolverhampton and University of Worcester.  Encompassing four nationally important galleries plus five universities, it is the largest partnership of its kind in England.

Who are the Artists?

All of the artists have recently come from undergraduate and postgraduate courses. There really is a great range of different artists here, with their work ranging from sculpture, film, photography, performance to painting.

• Morna Lockie Anrig  (BCU)
• Csilla Farkas (University of Worcester)
• Cheryl Howard (University of Worcester)
• James Birkin (Coventry University)
• Lucy Hutchinson (Coventry University)
• Gregory Dunn (BCU)
• Barbara Witkowska (Staffordshire University)
• Anna Smith (Wolverhampton University)
• Santhanha Nguyen (BCU)
• Sikander Pervez (Staffordshire University)
• Ali Reed (Staffordshire University)
• Anna Horton (BCU)
• Hannah Sutherland (Coventry University)
• Leah Carless (BCU)
• Glen Stoker (Staffordshire University)
• Caroline Ali (Wolverhampton University)
• Chris Wright (Staffordshire University)
• Sade Buckle (BCU)
• Wendy Ann Titmus (BCU)
• Bethany Fisher (Staffordshire University)
• Sharon Farrelly (BCU)
• Emily Mulenga (BCU)
• Amelia Greville (Staffordshire University)
• Sarah Sehra (University of Worcester)

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

The Barber Institute Steering Committee is chaired by the University of Birmingham’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Whitby as well as representatives from the University’s College of Arts and Law, the Henry Barber Trust and the Friends of the Barber Institute. The Barber Institute of Fine Arts owes its existence to the vision of Dame Martha Constance Hattie Barber (1869–1933). First opened by Queen Mary in 1939, the art deco building owes its design to architect Robert Atkinson (1833-1952) and has since been a home to major art collections, a public gallery and the original concert hall for the University of Birmingham. Their collection includes paintings by Old Masters including Botticelli, Rubens, Gainsborough and Turner, as well as Impressionist and other 19th and 20th-century masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Renoir and Magritte.

The Barber Institute will be exhibiting the work of Caroline Ali, James Birkin, Sade Buckle, Leah Carless, Cheryl Howard, Sikander Pervez, Glen Stoker, Wendy Ann Titmus and Chris Wright from the 14^th February – 27^th April. Is open from Monday – Friday between the hours of 10am – 5pm and on the weekend it is open  11am – 5pm.

Grand Union

First opened in March 2010, Grand Union is directed by Cheryl Jones. Based at 19 Minerva Works in Fazeley, Grand Union is an exciting artist-led project space that houses 8 purpose built studios (and they really are lovely!) which were designed by designer Matthew Higginbottom with Queen & Crawford. As well as exhibiting the works from the Turning Point West Midlands artists, Grand Union will also be hosting a talk on the 17^th February from 6:30pm till 8:00pm featuring artists Leah Carless, Sarah Sehra, Anna Smith, Glen Stoker and Hannah Sutherland.

The exhibition is on between 14^th February – 15^th of March. Grand Union is open from 12pm – 5pm on Thursday – Saturday.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery opened on 28th November 1885. Birmingham’s citizens had campaigned for a Corporation Art Gallery for over 40 years. The generosity of manufacturers such as Thomas Clarkson Osler, Richard and George Tangye, and Mayors Joseph and Richard Chamberlain, secured the art gallery for the town. Now funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council it now boasts over 500,000 objects to make up the numerous collections that originate from each of the continents and dating from 200,000 years ago to the modern day.

Having recently held the successful Photorealism Exhibition (still open until 30^th March) they will be exhibiting the Turning Point West Midland’s Artists from the 14^th February – 18^th May.

BMAG will be exhibiting the work of Gregory Dunn, James Birkin, Csilla Farkas, Anna Horton, Cheryl Howard, Lucy Hutchinson, Lockie-Anrig, Santhanha Nguyen, Sikander Pervez, Ali Reed, Anna Smith, Hannah Sutherland and Barbara Witkowska. Opening times are between 10am – 5pm all week apart from Friday when they open a little later, 10.30am – 5pm.

Wolverhampton Art Gallery

WAVE is a collection of buildings. The group includes not only Wolverhampton Art Gallery, but also Bilston Craft Gallery, Bantock House Museum and Wolverhampton City Archives. Wolverhampton Art Gallery has a range of collections and regularly exhibits new works, including contemporary pieces as well as grand paintings dating back as far as the 18^th Century.

Not only is Wolverhampton Art Gallery a great resource for artworks, they are also involved with their community, regularly running events and workshops that are open to the public.

Wolverhampton Art Gallery is open from Monday – Saturday between the hours of 10am – 5pm. They will be exhibiting the work of Sade Buckle, Sharon Farrelly, Amelia Greville, Emily Mulenga, Sarah Sehra, Anna Smith and Wendy Ann Titmus. Their exhibition of Turning Point West Midland’s art will run from the 15^th  February – 10^th May.

So who are Turning Point West Midlands?

Turning Point West Midlands is funded by Arts Council England and is also a member of the Contemporary Visual Arts Network. It is a 10 year strategy that began in 2006 to promote and support artists in the West Midlands. In partnership with Birmingham University, Professor John Butler acts as chair for TPWM with other organisations and individuals whom support Birmingham’s growing art community.

These members include; Arts and Heritage in Wolverhampton, Craftspace, National Trust Midlands, Ikon Gallery, New Art Gallery Walsall, Juneau Projects, Coventry Artspace, Eastside Projects, Birmingham Museums Trust, Grand Union as well as independent Consultants, Curators and Artists.

This is a great opportunity for our local artists and hopefully will open up many more opportunities for our creative community.

To keep up to date with all things New Art West Midlands, visit their website.