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Consultation Update: Part 2!

17/11/2019

We'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who has contributed their thoughts and ideas to our ongoing consultation about transforming the first floor of Stirchley Library into a community art space. Comments have continued to be returned via the website form and on the paper flyers handed in at the library, so we thought we'd share some more of them.

"I love this idea. A community art space, drop-in-do-your-own-thing, free-have-a-go workshops, bring-your-own-materials, try 'our' materials, group bring-your-own-projects workshops, paid for classes / courses.
I'd love this as at home there are often too many things going on and art takes a back seat, using a shared space and groups would encourage me to 'do'."

The comments we have received have continued to be incredibly positive and supportive, both in terms of there being a new community art space, and also in how it will benefit the library itself in the longer term.

"I'm a working class 30 something who thinks that a life drawing class at the MAC would be hard! I would love to be able to be creative with an artist who didn't have any expectations of my ability... So, art for people who are interested but haven't been to college or even done a GCSE. I'd be up for that..."

"I think it would be fantastic for the community to have a dedicated arts space above the library, increasing footfall to the library as a side effect, and making the most of an existing building that has so much potential.
We came along to the summer workshops and really enjoyed them. If they were a regular feature we would certainly come along."

"It sounds an excellent idea. Stirchley is becoming a very good example of a thriving and enthusiastic community. it should be a good way to keep the lovely library building up. The library workers are all so helpful... It should create a complementary service to the thriving activities available next door at Stirchley Baths."

The particular heritage of Stirchley Library has been mentioned, and the relevance of this is something that has also come up in the face-to-face conversations we have had with members of the community over the past few months. Stirchley Art Room at Stirchley Library seems to feel like a good fit, an appropriate and meaningful partnership, that pays tribute to a local history of community benevolence and recognises the special role the arts can play within this.

"I whole-heartedly support your dream of a community art room in Stirchley, more particularly in the first floor of the Library! Amidst all our preoccupations of daily life, and compounded by the dearth of community space and time, we desperately need to re-inspire ourselves and connect in meaningful ways. This is a fantastic way of doing it. Especially in a building that was made possible by Carnegie and Cadbury. I can think of no better way to honour and sustain their legacy."

We will continue to keep the community updated on the progress of our consultation, and we thank the staff of Stirchley Library and FOSL for their support with this, as well as APEC architects. Huge appreciation too to the National Lottery Community Fund for funding the consultation project.

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Book Arts workshops at Stirchley Library - funded by Arts Council England...

3/11/2019

We are excited to announce that thanks to funding from Arts Council England, we are going to be delivering a series of book arts community workshops over the next few months, in our very favourite place: Stirchley Library!

Since our very early days, Stirchley Art Room has worked closely with the library and we have always been made to feel extremely welcome by staff and FOSL volunteers. We have always been interested in the crossover between books and visual arts, and in the summer of this year we put together a funding bid to support an accessible and affordable series of workshops of events designed to explore book making, bookbinding, and lots of other associated artforms. We were thrilled when we discovered we had been successful, and in recent weeks we have been finalising our plans for this exciting project.

The project has three phases: Make a Book, Fill a Book, and Change a Book. The first phase begins on November 18th, and places can be booked using the links below.
We have planned to sessions to be as accessible to as many people as possible, with events taking place on weekdays, evenings and weekends.
The courses are free of charge to people who are not currently earning, with a nominal charge for those who are.

Make a Book Mondays: 10-2pm on November 18th, 25th, December 2nd, 9th & 16th.
Make a Book Saturdays: 10-2pm on November 30th & December 14th; 10-12pm December 7th. (A shorter version of the Monday course)
Coptic Bookbinding with artist Chloe Spicer: Artist talk 10-11.30am, and workshop 12.30-3.30pm, Saturday 23rd November.
Please share far and wide! Dates for phases 2 & 3 will be announced shortly...

Nicki

Happy Birthday BCN!

3/11/2019

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We have had a busy few weeks working with the Canal & River Trust to help celebrate 250 years of Birmingham Canal Navigations - the 100 miles of canals that are such an important part of our city's heritage.
We have worked with children from four different Birmingham schools to make flags, banners, bunting, and a giant cardboard narrowboat!

On Saturday 2nd November we met up with the staff, children and families to join in with the celebrations just outside the ICC, which included a rousing speech from James Brindley himself, a procession of boats, and live music.
Well done to all the children who worked so hard, and the staff and families for their support, from Brookfields Primary School, Nelson Primary School, St Thomas CE Academy & St Johns & St Peters CE Academy.

Nicki

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Consultation Update: Part 2!

Book Arts workshops at Stirchley Library - funded by Arts Council England...

Happy Birthday BCN!

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