Erdington Arts Forum

Erdington artists take the creative initiative.

2009-07-27T07:59:00.000+01:00

St Barnabas Murals

2009-07-17T15:28:00.001+01:00

In October 2007 St Barnabas church on Erdington High Street was devastated by fire.

Utilising the new artspace in Central Square local artists have worked with children from St Barnabas school to create murals which are now on disply around the church.

Hot Night - Cool Music

2009-07-08T13:10:00.005+01:00

Wednesday 1st of July saw a great turn out at the Acorn pub on Erdington High street for the "Totally Different" music showcase. On a sweltering evening we were treated to an eclectic mix of music kicking off with award winning Indie rock band Jackpike with their catchy tunes and energetic performance. A short set from vocalist Shakti followed leading up to what for me was the highlight of the show, Lizzie Dean and her band.

Lizzie has been touring with Boy George to great acclaim and her soulful voice has been favouably compared to BG stalwart Helen Terry. Her own music leans towards jazz with pop and soul inflections and her strong stage prescence carried through some minor technical difficulties to deliver an energetic and thoroughly entertaining set. Melodious acoustic guitar playing was pinned down by some rock solid drumming along with her percussionist playing a storm on his Djembe.

The evening finished off in style with ex Steel Pulse member Basil Gavidon delivering a collection of self penned and classic reggae tunes which suited the athmosphere perfectly. His band, featuring guitar, bass, drums and keyboards augmented by a trio of backing singers and a trombonist (who also contributed vox), were right on the money and the overheating audience of locals and first time visitors to Erdington showed their appreciation in no uncertain measure.

In between sets many of us hit the street to cool off and the tone of conversation showed a great deal of appreciation for a return of live music to the town as well as thanks to the landlord and staff at The Acorn for hosting the show. Totally Different are describing their endeavours as the return of Mothers and while there's some way to go in reaching the heights and perhaps infamy of Erdo's famous rock venue we applaud their commitment and look forward to more of the same as soon as possible.

Simon Hope
05 07 09

Click HERE for the full set of photo's.

Erdington Artspace Exhibition 27 06 09

2009-06-28T19:27:00.001+01:00

Erdington Artspace Exhibition 27 06 09

2009-06-28T19:25:00.001+01:00

Erdington Artspace Exhibition 27 06 09

2009-06-28T19:23:00.001+01:00

Erdington Artspace Exhibition 27 06 09

2009-06-28T19:21:00.001+01:00

Erdington Artspace Exhibition 27 06 09

2009-06-28T19:19:00.001+01:00

St Barnabas Mural Project

2009-06-09T10:11:00.004+01:00

Heather, Patrick, Ev and the guys at the Erdington Artspace.

St B Murals. Some details.

2009-06-09T10:04:00.001+01:00

St Barnabas Mural Project

2009-06-09T09:54:00.000+01:00

St Barnabas Mural Project

2009-06-09T09:52:00.000+01:00

Ridiculous - Filmdash 2008 - Jon Hickman

2008-10-22T12:37:00.002+01:00

Thanks to Jon and the guys for including us in their Filmdash project, the results of which can be seen here:

http://vimeo.com/2008168

Last Gig at Rookery House Pt 2

2008-10-22T12:25:00.003+01:00

Last Gig at Rookery House Pt 1

2008-10-22T12:19:00.003+01:00

EVENT

2008-10-15T17:08:00.001+01:00

NOTICE

concerning

ROOKERY HOUSE ERDINGTON

TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE PLIGHT OF THE HOUSE

on
18TH October 2008

there will be MEETING & ART EXHIBITION

from 11 O'clock lasting until 4 O'clock that evening.

Hosted by

The Rookery House Trust

Under the Auspices of Mr Phil Mist.

*

FEATURING THE DIVERSE TALENTS OF
MEMBERS OF ERDINGTON ARTS FORUM
showing their recent work concerning Whales

&

Mr Patrick Hayes (Speaker)

&

The Opportunity to Discuss Rookery House
with All & Sundry.

*

Come one, come all
Entrance is free and refreshments will be available!

For further details visit www.erdoarts.blogspot.com
email admin.erdo@gmail.com

EAF meeting 25 09 08

2008-09-29T10:24:00.006+01:00

EMERGENCY ART SHOW

!!!Rookery House closing at the end of October!!!

We discussed the possibility of marking the closure of Rookery House with a small event and Saturday 18th October was suggested for a get together. If you can join in great.

Let's show some art, have some music and discuss the future of the house.

Get in touch.

Cheers

S

EAF meet Claudia Losi @ The Mailbox

2008-09-26T10:21:00.007+01:00

Our work for Claudia Losi's Balena project culminated on Monday 22nd of September when we visited the Ikon show to share our art with Claudia and the team from Ikon gallery. Earlier in the day the children from Erdington Hall school had visited to see their work amongst much excitement. The toy whales looked wonderful hanging in the space and everyone was thrilled to see the result of all the effort put in by the children and the Erdo seamsters to bring their drawings to life.

A little later Claudia spoke to us about the project (with background sound effects from the technicians setting up the show!) which led into us all taking turns to describe our pieces and some of the thought and considerations that went into making them. It was obvious from these talks that we were all moved by our involvment and passion and humour very much set the tone.

Claudia was most gracious with her comments and questions & she and Emma (Bowen, Ikon Education team) showed their appreciation for our efforts in no uncertain terms. We hope that this will be as memorable for them as it will be for us and that our part in the Balena project serves to continue and add to the story as the whale travels around the world.

The following day we were invited to lunch at the Ikon and were well looked after and served delicious food in the cafe. Jonathan Watkins (Ikon Director) made a speech to thank all and sundry and it was something of a surreal experience to hear him mention the Forum in the same breath as the international art set who were also in attendance (including artist Martin Creed whose Ikon exhibition opens at the same time) Our thanks go to Jonathan, Emma, Jess Worley (co-ordinator at the Tailors Shop) and of course Claudia herself who is now off to New York for a delayed honeymoon with her husband and a well earned rest. We wish her all the best in this and all her future projects.

Simon Hope 26 08 09

See also: http://balenaproject.blogspot.com/

Balena @ The Mailbox

2008-09-26T10:16:00.001+01:00

Claudia's beautiful and inspiring sculpture of a whales brain,
the childrens toy whales on show and a view of the gallery.

Balena @ The Mailbox

2008-09-26T10:14:00.001+01:00

Paul tells the tale of his "Erdeaux tapestry"

Balena @ The Mailbox

2008-09-26T10:11:00.000+01:00

Heather with her 3D story book.

Claudia gets a closer look.

Balena @ The Mailbox

2008-09-26T10:08:00.000+01:00

Angela with her paintings.

Balena @ The Mailbox

2008-09-26T10:05:00.001+01:00

Joan tells us how she made her whale.

Balena @ The Mailbox

2008-09-26T10:02:00.002+01:00

Aurora meets the whale and Claudia & Jess compare pics.

EAF @ Artsfest 08

2008-09-26T09:12:00.002+01:00

Well it was all a bit of a last minute rush but we managed to get our stall up and running in time for the opening of Artsfest on Friday 12th Sept and we had a really interesting weekend talking to people and showing our work.

Heather, Ev, Joan and Ron, Patrick and myself chatted with our visitors about what EAF does and there was a lot of interest in the Balena project with people stopping to look at our display of photos and newspaper cuttings from the tailors shop.

This was of course our first time at Artsfest and I think we were all pleased to have taken part and look forward to getting involved next year and with more time to prepare we can have a show that represents the wider interests of the Forum more fully.

So thanks to everyone who came and here's to Artsfest 09.

Simon.

EAF @ Artsfest 08

2008-09-26T09:09:00.000+01:00

EAF @ Artsfest 08

2008-09-26T09:04:00.002+01:00

All Saints Players latest production.

2008-09-23T10:37:00.001+01:00

- A S P E C T -
All Saints Players (Erdington) Community Theatre Presents

Hello... Is there Anybody there?

A Farce by IAN HORNBY
7:30 pm
2nd – 4th October 2008
All Saints Church, George Road
(Slade Rd End)
Erdington, Birmingham
Entrance to car park at rear of Broomfield Road

Adults £5 – Child/O.A.P. £3

Refreshments Included
For Bookings and Information
Contact Tina George : 0121-373-1933

EAF @ Artsfest '08

2008-09-06T19:36:00.008+01:00

We'll be there Sat - Sun in the Artspace at the Council House.

Come along if you can.

For more infomation see the Artsfest homepage here.

Erdington Tapestries now on permanent display at the library.

2008-08-20T12:02:00.002+01:00

ERDINGTON COMMUNITY TAPESTRY

The tapestries on show in the library were made in the early 1990's inspired by an original idea by Geoff Bateson then Adult Education Co-ordinator for Erdington.

To begin with the idea was to use the skills of local people to create a single large panel which would trace the transformation of an almost forgotten Warwickshire village to an industrial suburb of England's second city. After a series of meetings it was decided that seperate panels would be created depicting various aspects of Erdington, past and present.

In the Autumn of 1990 an adult education class was set up at the Osborne Road centre led by tutor Jean Brierly and students were assisted in making tapestries which took their inspiration from a broad range of subjects and themes including:

Buildings - Erdington Hall, Rookery House, Pipe Manor.

Churches - Erdington Methodist Church, Six Ways Baptist Church.

Public Houses - The Green Man (now The Lad in the Lane), The Old Roebuck Inn.

Transport - The No2 Tram which ran along the High Street, a horse drawn bus.

Famous incidents - The mysterious murder of Mary Ashford and a hayrick fire which took place at the end of the 19th century.

Personalities of Erdington - Unsung Heroes - George the Verger, Fred the Postman, Jack the Milkman.

Industry - Local gas appliance manufacturer Valor, fighter planes built at Castle Vale (now Jaguar cars).

Miscellaneous - The Erdington Coat of Arms, a map of rural Erdington and panels depicting soldiers from the Warwickshire regiment.

On completion the tapestries were taken to Josiah Mason College and framed by Design & Technology students. In July 1995 the work was exhibited at Rookery House in an event opened by Robin Corbett MP.

After remaining in storage for some time the tapestries are now on show again and Erdington Library is pleased to host this exhibition of the work of local people which celebrates our town.

See pics below.

sdh200808

ErdComTap 04

2008-08-20T11:59:00.000+01:00

ErdComTap 03

2008-08-20T11:58:00.000+01:00

ErdComTap 02

2008-08-20T11:57:00.000+01:00

ErdComTap 01

2008-08-20T11:55:00.000+01:00

Come on down.

2008-08-18T10:19:00.002+01:00

Loads of work to be done. Please pop along and lend a hand if you can.

News

2008-08-04T11:51:00.006+01:00

Ikon Gallery
Claudia Losi
Balena Project - Erdington, Birmingham, 2008

For the last 3 years Ikon has been working in Erdington through the City Council’s Arts Champions Scheme. This year, Ikon is working with acclaimed Italian artist, Claudia Losi who will be presenting a 25metre cashmere whale in the centre of Birmingham in Sept / Oct 08. During the lead up to this project, Ikon's Education Team has spent a week working with Losi herself and 85 children from Erdington Hall Primary School who, following a period of creative research produced a series of whale drawings. During August 2008, these drawings will be transformed into a collection of small, fabric whales by a team of creative people in the old Salvation Army Charity Shop – 3 New Street, Erdington. The children will then bring these soft-toys as a gift to the large whale during the Autumn.

We are currently looking for people who’d like to join the project team who will be racing against time to make the small, fabric whales. We can cover basic expenses for those who commit to participating for at least 8 days over the Summer … alternatively, we’d be really pleased to see people who’d just like to pop in for an hour or two and spend a friendly, informal afternoon sewing.

Opening Times:
Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission is free

From 24 September to 16 November 2008, Italian artist Claudia Losi will exhibit Balena, a 25metre cashmere whale in Birmingham – watch this space for location and opening times …

For more information about Ikon, please visit http://www.ikon-gallery.co.uk/ or call 0121 248 0708

Invitation for submissions to the Archive

2008-03-04T17:36:00.000Z

Online version

2008-02-29T13:29:00.002Z

Erdington Arts Forum

Newsletter 02

30.01.08/29.02.08

Hello everybody.

I trust you are all warm and well and busy planning new art and projects for the coming months. If all goes according to plan we'll be needing loads of stuff from you all to cover the walls of Erdington this year. The main initiative is to develop a programme of events that will constitute Erdington Arts Festival which we want to coincide with Birmingham Arts Fest (which takes place 12th - 14th Sept).

There are of course pros and cons to this as the deadline for Artsfest applications is 28th March so we need to get our skates on firstly with formulating a group constitution which I will be drafting in consultation with Patrick and then presenting to the membership for comments and suggestions. It's vital that we do this as it will give a stong position from which to apply for funding. (Possible applications to Awards for All/Arts Council West Midlands/Birmingham City Council)

Briefly the Festival would comprise all or some of the following:

Theatrical presentations from All Saints Players
Art Exhibition by members of EAF
Photography by (untitled) Photography Collective
Film presentations (from Andy Spencer, myself & others)
Art Exhibition by members of North Birmingham Community Arts
Displays from Birmingham Model Railway Society (and maybe some Scalextric as well)
Public Art projects to involve local schools and other members of the local community (eg Themed painting project for the security boards now going up around St Barnabas Church)
Possible contributions/support from the Ikon. (One of their proposed projects in Erdington this year includes a 23metre long Whale made from textiles by artist Claudia Losi!)
Artist talks and workshops.

So lots of exciting possibilities and a pulling together of all our resources which are many and varied. We have the possibility of using the Cincinatti building as our main exhibition site along with other locations in Erdington (local shops etc and hopefully use of the shop space in Central Square as a gallery) Also Claire Turner from the Ikon has offered their services in regard to curatorial advice and other support and we shall be meeting with her this week to discuss this further as well as liasing with Erdington Town Centre Partnership to garner their support.

The intention is that we form sub-commitees to address issues such as funding, publicity, resources, liason with partners etc and consider such matters as approaching local business for sponsorship and support. I hope that in the next few weeks we can arrange meetings to discuss these matters further and formulate a strong proposal.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have comments and suggestions. It's a lot to consider but if we set our sites high enough I am sure we can achieve a great deal.

Look out for further email updates and info on the blog (http://erdoarts.blogspot.com/)

All the best for now.

Simon.

Email: admin.erdo@gmail.com

Polski Sextet 01

2007-12-18T13:25:00.000Z

With Mr Beard getting in on the action.

Heather gets Polish-ed

2007-12-18T13:24:00.000Z

A Cold Friday evening on the High St

2007-12-18T13:21:00.000Z

Alicja and the crew get set up.

Coming Soon

2007-12-12T18:12:00.000Z

Click on image for bigger view.

View from the Gravelly Hills

2007-12-10T17:22:00.000Z

Sundown 10 12 07

Erdington Arts Forum links hands with North Birmingham Community Arts

2007-12-10T17:10:00.000Z

This years AGM saw the voting in of Mr Paul Brian Tovey as Vice Chair to replace the outgoing Tina George. Paul has been a member of the forum for some time now and we welcome his expertise in the field of arts and mental health.

NBCA was set up by Paul and myself some eighteen months ago, firstly as an on-line entity and then, on receipt of a grant from Awards for All we were able to establish regular sessions at the 610 centre in Kingstanding where we meet to practice art, design and fellowship for mental health service users from all over the city. We felt that it was important to create an organisation that addressed these issues in the north of the city as there is an apparent lack of provision for the arts in general and mental health arts in particular.

This position (proposed by myself) and in consultation with Paul and Patrick will firstly allow for a small joint publicity venture using a portion of NBCA funds to create a set of postcards which will promote both organisations as well as our locality and over time, help to further develop EAFs' links with the community and bring dynamic interest and diversity into the forum.

Pauls work as an artist is very much focused on locality and family narrative and his and my interest in these issues as well as links with Highcroft Hospital have brought us together in exploring some common goals; how art and art practice can be a corollary to mental well being (without being considered therapy), support recovery and help to develop individual independence, serve as a vehicle to explore the notion and sense of locality and give the opportunity to meet up and have fun!

We have yet to confirm the details but expect that a small number of different designs will be required and as well as Paul creating some unique cartoons for us there may be the chance to put your own designs forward for consideration.

This is just a small beginning and we hope that more promotions projects will be getting off the ground pretty soon and links with more organisations will be forged. There's strength in numbers and we can create an ethos of mutual support which will help us grow as a group and spread a little art magic around Erdopolis.

sdh.

NEWS

2007-12-10T16:10:00.000Z

Contemporary Art practice in Erdopolis.

This coming Friday (14th) between 4.00 & 6.00pm. Birmingham based artist Alicja Rogalska and students Kate, Nicola and Fay from BCU MA course in Contemporary Curatorial Practice (http://thekeeperstricks.blogspot.com/) will be setting up outside the library and projecting text which comments on cultural identity with particular reference to the Polish community and then gauging the response of passers-by. We will be documenting their activity for inclusion on the EAF blog site (http://erdoarts.blogspot.com) and we welcome them to Erdington. It is hoped that sometime soon Alicja will be visiting the forum to give a talk about the project and this will serve to continue an ongoing process of art practice in the town which is beginning to gain momentum.

sdh.

Proposed design for database booklet

2007-12-10T16:02:00.000Z

Inspired by the work of Paul Renner (designer of the Futura font family)

but with a little fuzzotronic mash-up also.

Erdington Christmas Market 01 12 07

2007-12-03T15:53:00.000Z

Robert Groves Sketching Workshop.

2007-11-27T17:45:00.000Z

Rookery House 24 11 07.

Many thanks to Bob and all from the Ikon.

EAF AGM etc

2007-11-16T09:36:00.000Z

We will be voting for the executive commitee so please do your best to attend.

Robert Groves Sketching Workshop

2007-11-10T16:57:00.000Z

Missive from Patrick Hayes

2007-10-29T14:24:00.000Z

Some brief thoughts on Wilberforce Day held at Rookery House, Erdington, Saturday October 20th 2007.

God did indeed smile on us last Saturday when a bright chilly morning slowly turned into warm autumn sunshine. Despite the dilapidation of the house, one can still feel its dignity and indeed charm as the warmth of past years and life greets the visitor upon entering the hallway. Even if there is bare brickwork and hazard tape in the corridor by the former ballroom the feeling of, “This was a happy house” is almost certain.

So, we celebrated the first ever 'William Wilberforce Day' at the house which had taken weeks to plan and prepare. The doors opened at 11.00 and there was a feeling of anxiety when by 11.30 only a couple of people had come to the day. However, by midday the numbers swelled and around 300 people enjoyed the day.

There was an eclectic mix of activities; the children enjoyed Ev's African mask making workshop whilst adults pursued the informative exhibition on Wilberforce and his friends diligently created by Simon and Andy, and various arts and crafts as well as chatting to members of the Rookery House Trust.

The day was officially opened by Bishop Joe Aldred who spoke on the abolition of the slave trade and Phil Mist encouraged the audience to join the Trust and Jim and Mike sang a blues version of 'Amazing Grace.' However, probably the highlight of the day was the wonderful tour of the grounds and house where guests met Barbara Spooner who was born and brought up in the house and later married William Wilberforce, Wilber himself as well as John Newton who penned the famous hymn, 'Amazing Grace' and Equiano, a former slave who joined the abolition movement.

There were some magical, memorable moments especially when the audience could see both Wilber and Barbara walk down the tree lined path towards them and later being served cake by Barbara in the courtyard! It was if we had all genuinely been taken back in time and caught a privileged glimpse of those that have now gone before us. Then there was Equiano demonstrating with the use of a small wardrobe the space a slave had to endure for the harsh atlantic crossing. And let us not forget John Newton kneeling on the main stairs, where usually the sound of office workers feet can be heard was replaced by the opening lines of 'Amazing Grace' and John's heartfelt confession of being part of that hideous trade.

On a lighter note there was a chance to learn regency dancing with Cathy in her empire dress, which quite a lot of people did and it was wonderful to see the large Georgian room full of dance and dancers, just as it would have been all those years ago.

To finish there was Ozzie's Caribbean food and tradition tea and sandwiches to be sampled in the courtyard café and business flowed throughout the day!

It was a successful and enjoyable day and I would like to end with a suggestion. Birmingham celebrated Trafalgar Day on the Sunday. Could we not have a Wilberforce Day? I feel slightly uncomfortable that we celebrate and constantly remember a violent battle, albeit a victory, with what are now our European friends and cousins and perhaps tend to forget Wilberforce and his wife, Barbara who were so instrumental in ending a shameful, pernicious practice and saved so many innocent lives from such evil.

Let's have a William Wilberforce Day every year!

Patrick B Hayes.

(See also photographs below)

William Wiberforce, John Newton & Olaudah Equiano

2007-10-22T14:52:00.000+01:00

Mrs Wilberforce (nee Spooner)

2007-10-22T14:49:00.000+01:00

William Wilberforce & Barbara Spooner

2007-10-22T14:44:00.000+01:00

Wilberforce Day 02 Dance Class

2007-10-22T14:41:00.000+01:00

Wilberforce Day 01 Rookery House 20 10 07

2007-10-22T14:36:00.000+01:00

St Barnabas Church fire

2007-10-06T19:06:00.000+01:00

Our heartfelt good wishes to all those affected by this sad event.

North Birmingham Artists Database

2007-09-28T13:40:00.000+01:00

We are seeking submissions from artists based in North Birmingham for a database that will be published as a brochure and be made available through Local Libraries and Birmingham City Council.

This will allow those seeking artists to find what they're looking for and enable the artists themselves to advertise their practice and find new audiences for their work.

If you would like to be included please email us for an application form at admin.erdo@gmail.com

Erdington Carnival July 2007

2007-09-28T13:35:00.000+01:00

Ikon Erdington Summer 2007

2007-09-28T13:30:00.000+01:00

Rookery House

2007-09-28T11:57:00.000+01:00