‘Triplets’ by Bolin Qian, one of the several artworks that will be showcased at the Black History Month exhibition.
Free outdoor exhibition to transform Snow Hill Square throughout October.
Colmore Life is proud to partner with Birmingham City University’s School of Arts to present a special outdoor exhibition celebrating Black History Month 2026, bringing together creativity, culture and community in the heart of Birmingham city centre.
Running from 1 to 31 October 2026, the free public exhibition will be displayed at Snow Hill Square, showcasing a selection of original designs in a range of formats created by students from Birmingham City University’s School of Arts. The exhibition explores the theme of Black Culture, highlighting a diverse range of perspectives, experiences and artistic approaches.
The student submissions from Birmingham City University’s MAVC Work in Progress Show were reviewed by an independent judging panel, which selected 13 artworks for inclusion in the exhibition. From this shortlist, winning and highly commended artists were chosen, receiving cash prizes of £200 and £100 respectively in recognition of their creative achievements.
The winners will be officially announced during October as part of the exhibition programme, celebrating the outstanding talent and perspectives showcased by Birmingham City University’s School of Arts students.
Melanie Williams, Colmore Placemaking lead and Board Director said: “We are delighted to partner with the School of Arts to bring this exciting exhibition to Snow Hill Square for Black History Month 2026. These talented students have produced a powerful collection of work that celebrates Black culture through a range of creative voices and perspectives. By bringing this exhibition into a public space, we aim to create opportunities to reflect on the important stories being shared.”
Featuring work across photography, collage, illustration, printmaking and painting, the exhibition celebrates the richness and diversity of Black culture through contemporary visual storytelling. Students were encouraged to respond to the theme from their own unique perspective, creating thought-provoking artworks inspired by personal stories, cultural influences, community connections and the vibrant character of Birmingham.
Artist and photographer Herbert H Walters took part in the judging panel. Speaking of the process, he said: “It was a privilege to be asked to help the other judges select the work. The range of responses to Black History Month was inspiring, we saw painters, photographers and collage artists entering their work.
I think the exhibition will highlight the talent coming out of BCU, I studied there too, and it’s still helping young creatives find their direction”
By transforming Snow Hill Square into an open-air gallery, the exhibition offers workers, residents and visitors an accessible opportunity to engage with emerging artistic talent while reflecting on the stories and experiences that shape one of the UK’s most diverse cities.
Professor Andrew Kulman MA RCA said: “This exhibition provides an important platform for our students to explore and celebrate Black culture through creative practice. The selected artworks demonstrate the talent, insight and originality of our students, while also contributing to wider conversations about identity, heritage, community and culture. We are grateful to Colmore Life for providing this public platform to showcase their work.”
Black History Month is an opportunity to recognise, celebrate and learn about the achievements, experiences and contributions of Black communities. Through this collaboration, Colmore Life and Birmingham City University’s School of Arts aim to encourage conversation, inspire reflection and celebrate the creativity that exists across Birmingham’s communities.
Visitors are invited to explore the exhibition throughout October, whether passing through on their daily commute, spending time in the city centre or discovering the Colmore Business District for the first time.
Event Details
Black History Month Exhibition 2026
Dates: 1-31 October 2026
Location: Snow Hill Square, Birmingham
Admission: Free
The exhibition is presented by Birmingham Colmore, the curators of Colmore Life, in partnership with Birmingham City University’s School of Arts.
For updates, visit colmorelife.co.uk or follow @ColmoreLife on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
