The Old Print Works - a hub of activity and creativity in the heart of Balsall Heath - this week hosts an exhibition celebrating the life, work and legacy of Birmingham photographer Rhonda Wilson. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the building artists take residency in working studios, and teach textile, pottery and woodworking workshops for local crafters. 

The Old Print Works’ spacious gallery is the perfect place to host Seeing Rhonda, a new exhibition celebrating an artist who spent her career uplifting and making connections between other creatives, and amplifying the artistic output of the city of Birmingham. 

For the best chance to explore everything on offer, pop in to one of The Old Print Works’ regular Second Saturday events, which feature free ‘have a go’ workshops, a makers market, and much more…

Seeing Rhonda: Tuesday 23 - Saturday 27 June & Saturday 11 July

A women’s rights activist, advocate of the Midlands’ creative scene, and an artist in her own right, Rhonda Wilson’s photography career began when she worked as a journalist with Jackie Magazine in the 1970s. She eventually hosted Rhubarb - Rhubarb Festival of the Image in her hometown, Birmingham, and established the Poseurs Studio and Gallery in Balsall Heath - where The Old Print Works is situated.

This new exhibition showcases the work and influence of Rhonda, with works, documents and records extracted from an extensive archive - some of which the artist donated to The Old Print Works. The archive will eventually be accessible to members of the community, after a cataloguing and organizational project headed up by Annette Naudin, an Associate Professor at Birmingham City University, who also curated the display.

Less than 20% of the archive has been extracted, which shows the scale of Rhonda’s work and influence, and hints at the other treasures which are yet to be discovered. 

Seeing Rhonda offers a potted history of the artist and her work, the impact of which is seen in the numerous hand-written ‘thank you’ notes displayed in the exhibition - a touching reminder of her creative practice, but also her drive to nurture and celebrate her fellow artists, whether fighting for fair pay, or engineering events where emerging creatives could build skills and make connections. 

What’s on at The Old Print Works

Elsewhere in the building, which was bought by charity Make It Sustainable at the end of last year, it’s clear to see that Rhonda’s spirit of artistic collaboration is still alive and kicking in Balsall Heath. The Old Print Works is a hive of activity, featuring a co-working space and 40 artists studios, a working darkroom for photography (one of very few in the region) and The Bike Project, where bikes are refurbished and donated to refugees. 

Looking at the building’s frontage (which faces directly onto Balsall Heath High Street), it’s hard to imagine the scale of activities taking place inside - The Old Print Works serves as a base for not-for-profit association Sundragon Pottery, The Gap (a local youth arts organization) and Daily Thread - a regular workshop series where keen makers can bring their own textile projects, work alongside other crafters, and use the studio’s equipment. 

Itzatna Arts, a cultural collaboration between Mexico, Latin America and the UK, also calls The Old Print Works their home, while The Sound School offers sound therapy, gong baths and yoga. Deb Day Sewing Room, with a fully-equipped sewing studio, makes beautiful, hand-sewn garments. Elsewhere in the building a variety of arts and crafts can be found, from metalwork to upholstery, floristry and more…

Pop in to Second Saturday

The best time to get a taste of what’s on offer at The Old Print Works is at Second Saturday - the monthly free festival day, which takes place (unsurprisingly) on the second Saturday of each month. 

On the day, a Makers Market pops up in The Old Print Works courtyard, and visitors are invited to ‘have a go’ at various crafts and creative practices which can be found throughout the building. There is a changing programme of events on offer, but woodworking workshops and Sundragon Pottery are always in situ, so there is always a chance to get involved, and try out a new skill.

At the front of The Old Print Works sits a cafe, now operated by ChangeKitchen CIC, who offer a selection of climate-friendly food (open Fridays & Saturdays currently). The site also includes the oldest house in Balsall Heath dating to the 1700s (home to one of the artist's studios and the Balsall Heath Local History Society) whose front garden has become the Peace Garden, nurtured by the young people of The Gap.

Second Saturday functions as an ‘open day’, where the activities taking place in The Old Print Works can be explored for free. The upcoming month’s event, on Saturday 11 July, also offers another chance to visit the Seeing Rhonda exhibition, where visitors can learn more about this remarkable Brummie artist.

For more information, visit The Old Print Works website.