Events

Fishermen’s Huts

Steve Carse’s solo exhibition, Fishermen’s Huts, celebrates the wildness of the northeast coast and a commitment to old traditions.

Pounded by the unforgiving North Sea and the harsh weather of the northeast coast, the diminutive derelict harbour of Port Mulgrave is a wild and wonderful place to visit.
Once a thriving port, transporting locally mined ironstone up to Jarrow and the shipyards of Tyneside, the weather-beaten, wind-swept ruins today host a dystopian collection of fishermen’s huts that bear testament to their owners’ resilience, ingenuity and creativity.
Fighting a constant battle with the elements, each pays homage to nature’s spoils, celebrating the environment with entrances made from driftwood and ‘gardens’ that would look more at home on the ocean floor.

Further down the coast in Whitby, Fortune’s traditional smokehouse still sells the cured kippers it’s been producing for over 150 years.

Exhibition closes: Saturday 21 February 5.00pm

Featured image: Steve Carse ARBSA, Fisherman’s Hut #11

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10.30am – 5.00pm

Mike Bagshaw grew up in Salford, where his early talent was recognised when his school nominated him to attend a Saturday morning art class for local children, run by Harold Riley, a close friend of L.S. Lowry.

Riley became a formative influence, teaching him to look closely at his subject and to relish the physical qualities of drawing materials. That grounding shaped Mike’s lifelong fascination with the way a line reveals exactly how it was made in a specific moment. He believes an artist’s character is visible in their marks, even when using photographs as source material.

Mike loves drawing that leaves the process openly present on the page. Immediacy and expressive humanity are what continue to excite him about drawing.

Exhibition closes: Saturday 21 February 5.00pm

Featured image: Mike Bagshaw ARBSA, Jane Goodall

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10.30am – 5.00pm

Between Bodies

These paintings represent a recent transitional period in Jonathan Waller’s art practice. They follow on from a large body of work that explored the universal theme of death, many of which were exhibited in London during the autumn of 2024.

One of these paintings is included here to give some context. The other works are explorations of style and colour using portraiture as a motif. Waller sees these as a way of preparing the ground for another themed series which could be called ‘Life in the Studio’, but it’s early days yet.

Exhibition closes: Saturday 21 February 5.00pm

Featured image: Jonathan Waller ARBSA, Death Painting No.17 (Window on the World)

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10.30am – 5.00pm

This unique exhibition celebrates an exciting collaboration between the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists and the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Exploring the movement and poise of the ballet dancer, alongside the colour and vibrancy of the stage setting, the show aims to give visitors an insight into the artists’ process as well as the backstage world of the ballet.

The RBSA Membership was invited to study the dancers as they worked, observing a series of rehearsals. Members working in all disciplines, both 2D and 3D, attended the sessions, creating collections of preparatory sketches and photographs to take back to the studio. These sketches and photographs will be on display in the Gallery alongside the developed artworks which they informed.

As well as works from RBSA Members, Associates, and Graduate Artists, guest works from renowned stage designer John MacFarlane and RBSA Associate, BRB Principal Dancer, and photographer Lachlan Monaghan ARBSA will be on show. Visitors will also be given the opportunity to view classical ballet costumes and rarely seen items on loan from Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Exhibition closes: Saturday 21 February 5.00pm

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10.30am – 5.00pm

Poetry’s Got Form

A creative writing workshop looking at poetry from different perspectives
Join Rick Sanders from Verve for a workshop exploring poetry in all its forms. This workshop is for novice or experienced poets, or poets with a good understanding of writing poetry who want to develop specific skills in writing form poetry. This is for adults (+16yrs) only; and only suitable for those who have experience of writing poetry.

What to Bring:
Bring your passion for words, an open heart, and a willingness to explore the world through poetry. Please bring something to write on and something to write with. All other materials will be provided.

The workshop is 2 hours in duration. Please arrive ten minutes before the session as the Hive closes at 3.30 pm and you may not be able to gain access after that.
And if you like poetry, you can return later in the day to attend the Verve Open Door, a free open mic poetry event that takes place at the Hive during the evening – you might even want to perform your poems!

Spring Botanicals in Watercolour Workshop with Jeni Neale.
Celebrate the beauty of spring bulbs and blossoms with watercolour. Explore techniques such as washed, blending, and dry-brush, while learning floral composition and colour theory to design simple arrangements. Watch live demonstrations on painting petals, foliage, and intricate details, then enjoy hands-on practice to bring you own artwork to life.
Age group and abilities to be taught

18 years and above
Ideal for beginners and experienced artists

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught

Watercolour techniques involved in botanical art
Colour theory and mixing

What you need to bring with you:

Watercolour paints
Watercolour brushes including numbers 4 and 6
Pencil and eraser
Palette, preferably a ceramic plate, and water container

What we will provide:

Watercolour paper
Flowers to paint from

Methods of assessing outcomes

Feedback from tutor

Have a go at making your own piece of jewellery with the help of our friendly learning team in this special children’s jewellery workshop activity.

Design and create either a bracelet or pendant, learn and use real jewellers’ techniques like texturing metal, hammering, stamping and enamelling to make something unique and personal to take home with you.

Pre-booking is essential as places are limited.

• Recommended for ages 8 and up. For safety reasons we cannot accommodate under-5s.
• Children must be accompanied by one adult. Due to limitations on space, strictly only one adult per booking.
• Workshop lasts 2 hours.
• Please be advised the workshop can be noisy. Ear defenders can be provided or bring your own.

Wire Wagtail Bird Sculpture Workshop with Sarah Dukes.
Create a slightly larger than life-size wire Wagtail sculpture and another bird of your choice.
Age group and abilities to be taught

18 years and above
Suitable for all abilities

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught

Creating 3D sculptures from 2D source material
Observe key features of the bird to retail identifiable characteristics
‘Drawing’ these with wire
Building up layers of wire
Observational drawing using wire
Creating sculptural forms from chicken wire, including how to attach and connect the base shape, and how to weave the wire form

Course outline
Morning activity

Tutor will give verbal and written instructions at each stage and model examples will be available
Create 2D bird ‘drawing’ to familiarise participants with wire
Create body from chicken wire
Add outline of head and body, wings and legs
Build layers of wire to add colour and key characteristics

Afternoon activity

Use books and images to select second bird
Choose materials needed, cut lengths of wire
Apply skills already learned to create a new bird of your choice, real or imagined

What you need to bring with you:

Students are not required to bring anything however if participants have garden, craft, or other wires that they would like to use they are welcome to bring them along
Students are welcome to bring their own pliers
Gardening gloves to protect hands

What we will provide:

Chicken wire
A variety of craft and garden wires of different thicknesses
Materials and colours
Pliers and snippers
Instruction sheets that can be taken away
Bird images and books as source material

Methods of assessing outcomes

The tutor will circulate the group and provide individual feedback throughout the session
Self-reflection and peer feedback
Group discussion focusing on finished sculptures
Completion of evaluation form

Have a go at making your own piece of jewellery with the help of our friendly learning team in this special children’s jewellery workshop activity.

Design and create either a bracelet or pendant, learn and use real jewellers’ techniques like texturing metal, hammering, stamping and enamelling to make something unique and personal to take home with you.

Pre-booking is essential as places are limited.

• Recommended for ages 8 and up. For safety reasons we cannot accommodate under-5s.
• Children must be accompanied by one adult. Due to limitations on space, strictly only one adult per booking.
• Workshop lasts 2 hours.
• Please be advised the workshop can be noisy. Ear defenders can be provided or bring your own.

Drypoint Plate Making and Printing Workshop with Jenny Mason-Gunning ARBSA.
Drawing lines into styrene plastic using a variety of tools, exploring how different points pressures, and mark-making techniques create a full range of tones and textures. Participants will learn how to develop a strong drawing surface, create expressive marks, control line quality, and understand how to refine and clean the plate, apply intaglio ink, wipe and polish the surface for optimal contrast, and print their drypoint plate using professional methods to achieve consistent, high quality results.
Age group and abilities to be taught

18 years and above
Ideal for beginners and experienced artists

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught

Learn the fundamentals of drypoint printmaking from drawing on the plate to producing a final print
Gain practical skills in mark-making using a range of drypoint tools, understanding how pressure, angle, and technique influence line, tone, and texture
Develop knowledge of how to prepare, handle, and refine a styrene plate
How to ink and wipe using professional intaglio methods
How to print using a an etching press
Develop the confidence to continue drypoint independently with a clear understanding of materials, tools, and best studio practice

Course outline
Morning activity

Short introduction and talk on drypoint, tools, materials, and printing papers
Demonstration of drawing and mark-making techniques on styrene plates using a variety of tools
Participants will begin creating their own drypoint plate, exploring line, tone, and texture

Afternoon activity

Demonstration of inking, wiping, and preparing the plate for printing
Participants ink, wipe, and print their plates on the etching press, producing their first proofs
Final prints made, with guidance on refining marks, troubleshooting, and preparing plates for continued work at home

What you need to bring with you:

Three photographs or drawings to interpret as a drypoint plate
An apron
Marigold or nitrile gloves for inking and printing
A pack of baby wipes, just in case

What we will provide:

Nitrile gloves
Oil-based and water-washable inks
Scrim and muslin
Rollers
Printing paper
Styrene plates
A variety of drypoint tools
Newsprint
Cotton buds for inking
Ink scrapers and palette knives
Etching press and blankets
Paper fingers
Examples of the tutor’s work
A copy of the tutor’s forthcoming book for reference

Methods of assessing outcomes

Ongoing individual feedback from the tutor
Observation of practical work throughout the session
Informal group discussion at key stages
Support and guidance as participants progress with opportunities to review prints, refine techniques, and evaluate their own development

St Paul’s Church are thrilled to welcome back Fever with their Candlelight series.

Tickets and all enquiries here https://feverup.com/m/489563 – please note, St Paul’s Church do not handle any information on ticket sales.

1 hour shows at 6.30pm and 8.30pm

🌹 After captivating millions of Bridgerton fans worldwide, Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings is making its grand return to Birmingham! Dearest reader, Lady Whistledown extends an exclusive invitation to a most enchanting affair. Surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight, listen to your favorite melodies from Shondaland’s hit series on Netflix, reimagined by a talented string ensemble. Will you be among society’s most fortunate to attend? Get your tickets today!

General Info
📍 Venue: St Paul’s Church (Birmingham)
📅 Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector
⏳ Duration: 60 minutes. Doors open 45 minutes before the show. No entry once it starts.
👤 Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
♿ Accessibility: this venue is wheelchair accessible
❓ View the FAQs for this event here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KvuXYi-1LD8eYZwhjEO-e4rJP0IRIlK9kBh7dre3yL8/pub
🪑 Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone
🕯️ If you would like to book a private concert or buy regular tickets for a large group (+30 people), click here https://candlelightexperience.com/groups/#groups-form
🎻 Check out all the Candlelight concerts https://feverup.com/en/birmingham/candlelight in Birmingham
🎁 To treat your friends and family to a Candlelight gift card, click here https://feverup.com/m/499436
👗 Dear guest, there’s no strict dress code for this special occasion, but we encourage you to dress in your finest Bridgerton-inspired style!

Program – Top hits from the acclaimed Shondaland series on Netflix

Life Drawing Studio Workshop with Paul Bartlett RBSA.
Spend the day drawing from a professional life model with guidance from an expert tutor.
Age group and abilities to be taught

18 years and above
Suitable for all abilities

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught

Produce life drawings working from a live model
Learn dry drawing techniques for line and tone

Course outline
Morning activity

Combined introduction and overview of options for the day via the tutor’s own artwork
Basics about measurement, proportion, and examples of line
Set up a long pose that will be maintained (with breaks) for the rest of the day
Working from the same pose, students may produce several studies or one resolved work
At an appropriate time, the tutor will introduce tone methods on white paper using graphite pencil combinations
The tutor will balance out advising students individually, while working on his own drawing throughout the day

Afternoon activity

Introduction of option for drawing with black and white on mid-tone grey paper using combinations of pastel pencil, charcoal pencil, willow charcoal, chalks
Depending on working pace, resolve longer study started in the morning, or produce a new study with supervision from the tutor

What you need to bring with you:

A folder to take you work home in
A selection of drawing materials, including graphite pencils, willow charcoal, charcoal pencils, white chalk, plastic and putty erasers

What we will provide:

A2 sheets of white cartridge paper
Grey paper for pastels
A selection of drawing materials

Methods of assessing outcomes

Discussion of workshop with workshop tutor and fellow students
Completion of evaluation form

Calligraphy has become a popular hobby for many, allowing individuals to express creativity through elegant lettering. For those keen to dive deeper, calligraphy classes offer an excellent way to refine skills and learn new techniques. Indeed, enrolling in calligraphy classes can significantly enhance your abilities.

Learning Calligraphy
Fraktur
Fraktur is a simple form of Gothic Script, which had its origins in German folk art, which became more colourful and elaborate mainly in America.  Pennsylvania became home to entire towns of different religious dissent.  There were clusters of Mennonites, Moravians, Lutherans, and various other German Protestant sects.

Although diverse, all these German settlers had in common – they were all farmers who spoke German, all prized religious tolerance and all practiced the same distinctive artform of Fraktur.  It was used mainly for domestic certificates such as marriage, baptism, births, bookmarks etc. In these sessions you will learn to write Fractur basic letter forms using a broad edge metal dip pen.

Wikipedia 
Held at the Pen Museum, the classes are designed for both beginners and more experienced calligraphers. Learn the key elements of calligraphy and take information away to continue developing your style at home. Participate in such classes to enhance your art. Some calligraphy materials will be provided, and additional products can be purchased from the Museum shop.

• 12 Spaces are available for each session:
• Session 1: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
• Session 2: 2:00pm – 3:30pm
• £12.75 per session.
• No requirement to book both sessions.
• Museum admission is not included.
• Course suitable for adults only, especially those interested in perfecting their skills through comprehensive classes available for calligraphy enthusiasts.

🍻 THE BIG QUIZ – EVERY MONDAY

Monday nights at The Actress & Bishop are not for the weak.

Our Big Quiz is a fast-paced, phone-based, brain-melting pub quiz where there are no pens, no paper, and absolutely no cheating (we’re watching you 👀). Just you, your mates and your smartphones battling it out for glory, prizes and bragging rights.

With a mix of general knowledge, pop culture, music and “how did I know that?!” moments, it’s the perfect way to start the week without wanting to cry into your pint.

Grab a drink, grab a team, and let the speed quiz chaos begin.

The first heritage exhibition of 2026, Colour: Shades, Tints, And Hues, Artworks From The RBSA Permanent Collection, is an exploration of the works held in the RBSA Permanent Collection, each chosen because they feature one dominant colour. With the artworks arranged on a colour wheel, visitors will be able to experience the feelings and emotions evoked by each piece, providing an insight into why artists choose to work with certain colours.

When humans created the first artworks, cave paintings dating back as far as 45,000 years ago, colour would have simply been the result of the materials available. As time went on, palettes gained more colour and artists began employing different hues for reasons beyond simple necessity. For example, during the middle ages, Renaissance, and early modern period, ultramarine blue, made using semi-precious lapis lazuli, was used to demonstrate wealth and status, as the pigment was often more expensive than gold.

In the Victorian era, a ‘colour revolution’, driven by discoveries of new minerals and advancements in techniques, meant that the number of colours available to artists grew enormously, and today there are up to 150 different pigments on the market. This ever growing selection has allowed the modern artist the freedom to use colour for a variety of different reasons, including the representation of specific emotions and moods, or to convey thoughts and ideas, free from the restrictions of cost or limited options.

The artworks selected for this exhibition date back throughout the Society’s history and demonstrate the huge growth in the number of pigments made just in the RBSA’s lifetime. Visitors can see the vast differences in how artists have used colour throughout that time, from early realistic studies to more modern works employing colour in a highly expressive way.

While some visitors may be familiar with certain works, this exhibition affords them the opportunity to see pieces from a new perspective, juxtaposed with works they may not otherwise sit next to, shining new light on these precious artworks and the collection as a whole.

Preview Evening: Thursday 26 February 6.00pm – 8.00pm

Exhibition closes: Saturday 28 March 5.00pm

Featured image: Glyn Griffiths, Colour Of Summer, 1963 

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10.30am – 5.00pm

The RBSA Print Prize is part of the Society’s programme of prize exhibitions which give artists whose practices are rooted in a variety of different media and techniques regular opportunities to exhibit their work in the Gallery.

With a significant number of print works held in the RBSA Permanent Collection, print-making forms an important part of the RBSA’s history, and there are many printmakers within its Membership.

Last held in 2024, the RBSA Print Prize celebrates the diversity of printmaking whilst also introducing the public to the myriad of different printing techniques used today, including screenprinting, linocut, monoprint, etching, woodcut, lithography, and dry point. Visitors to previous Print Prizes have been delighted to see the range of approaches on display and this exhibition promises to offer visitors that same exciting experience

Entries for RBSA Prize Exhibitions come from professional and emerging artists based locally, nationally, and internationally, and all entries are judged anonymously.

The following prizes will be awarded:

• First Prize £1000 sponsored by GMC Trust
• Second Prize £500 Anne Judd Award
• Third Prize £250 sponsored by Judd Medical
• Up to six highly commended certificates will also be awarded.

Preview Evening: Thursday 26 February 6.00pm – 8.00pm

Exhibition closes: Saturday 28 March 5.00pm

Featured image: Luke Reidy, Sunrise

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10.30am – 5.00pm

Birmingham in the 19th-century was hailed as the ‘workshop of the world’. The Jewellery Quarter was its busy hub, producing jewellery, silver and tableware.

About 40% of British jewellery is still made there. Behind a frontage of terraced houses, J.W.Evans Silver Factory is among its most complete surviving historic factories. Crammed with tools and equipment, it’s preserved as if the workers might return at any minute.

Tours

Entry to J.W Evans is through guided tours only and advance booking is essential. Tours will be available every Friday from Friday 7 November to 27 March 2026. This excludes 26 December and 20 February 2026.

St Paul’s Church are thrilled to welcome back Fever with their Candlelight series.

Tickets and all enquiries here https://feverup.com/m/494827 – please note, St Paul’s Church do not handle any information on ticket sales.

⭐ Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Birmingham. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Linkin Park at St Paul’s Church (Birmingham) under the gentle glow of candlelight.

General Info
📍 Venue: St Paul’s Church (Birmingham)
📅 Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector
⏳ Duration: 60 minutes. Doors open 45 minutes before the show. No entry once it starts.
👤 Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
♿ Accessibility: this venue is wheelchair accessible
❓ View the FAQs for this event here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KvuXYi-1LD8eYZwhjEO-e4rJP0IRIlK9kBh7dre3yL8/pub
🪑 Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone
🕯️ If you would like to book a private concert or buy regular tickets for a large group (+30 people), click here https://candlelightexperience.com/groups/#groups-form
🎻 Check out all the Candlelight concerts https://feverup.com/en/birmingham/candlelight in Birmingham
🎁 To treat your friends and family to a Candlelight gift card, click here https://feverup.com/m/499436

Programme

• Numb
• Somewhere I Belong
• Lost
• New Divide
• Burn It Down
• Faint
• Crawling
• Breaking the Habit
• One Step Closer
• What I’ve Done
• Castle of Glass
• Bleed It Out
• The Emptiness Machine