Connect More with Tina Francis
Drop in and take a moment to slow down, stitch, and connect.Stitch alongside others in a relaxed and welcoming space, where conversation can flow naturally, or not at all. With something to keep your hands busy, there’s no pressure to speak, just the chance to listen, reflect, and connect in your own way. Whether you join for a few minutes or longer, this gentle shared activity offers a moment to pause and be part of something together.Facilitated by Tina Francis, a Birmingham‑based tapestry, needlepoint, and textile artist whose practice centres on stitch as a tool for connection, care, and storytelling. Working primarily with wool and canvas, her work explores themes of time, labour, belonging, and creative health, often drawing attention to the value of traditionally overlooked “home crafts” as powerful contemporary art forms. “A needle is a true global citizen. I use it to start conversations where a language is not shared”
Stained Glass Creations with Christopher Samuel
Join us at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery for a free, family-friendly drop-in workshop led by artist Christopher Samuel. In this hands-on, creative stained-glass inspired session, participants of all ages can explore colour, light, and pattern while learning the basics of stained-glass design. Participants will learn how to make beautiful faux stained glass using paper and acetate! Inspired by the museum’s exhibition Watch Us Lead , families will have the chance to experiment with materials and create their own vibrant artworks to take home. No experience is needed, just drop in and get creative together.All materials are provided.
Summer Show – Call for Entries
2026 BMI SUMMER SHOWMonday, 3 August to Saturday, 19 SeptemberCALL for ENTRIESThe 2026 BMI Summer Show is open to all artists based across Birmingham and the Midlands. The exhibition will be held in the BMI entrance foyer and the William Blake Richmond Gallery. The exhibition is free to enter and exhibitors may submit up to three pictures and sell their work, if they wish. We welcome Art works in a wide variety of media. The subject, theme and topic of each work is open to the artist, although we particularly welcome works related to Birmingham and the Midlands. Please help us make this year’s Show a success by entering your Pictures and letting everyone know about the Summer Show!Notes for EntrantsEach artist can submit up to three pictures for selection.Pictures must be delivered to the BMI between Monday, 13 July and Monday, 21 July between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm.Each picture can be no larger than 48 x 36 inches (122 cm x 94 cm).Works can be made in a wide variety of media and methods, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and mixed media.Watercolour and other works on paper must be framed.All submitted works must have picture hooks in place and nylon cord attached so that they can be hung using a gallery rod system.Please deliver pictures in protective wrapping (ideally transparent bubble-wrap).All pictures should be delivered with three standard white Address labels with the picture’s Title and the Artist’s name printed in black ink on the label in Ariel Font 14 Bold.One label must be attached to the back of the picture/frame with the Artist’s contact details (ideally, an email address + phone number) also included on this label only.Two further labels must be enclosed in a small envelope, attached to the back of the picture with the Picture’s title, and Artist’s name below. If the picture is intended for sale, the price of the picture should also be shown on these two labels.Please note that any picture sold during the Summer Show will result in 20% of the sale price being paid to the BMI.The selection of pictures to be exhibited at the Summer Show will be made by the Exhibition Committee during week beginning Monday, 20 July. Entrants will be informed whether or not their work is to be shown by Monday, 27 July The decision of the Selection Panel on the pictures to be exhibited is final.All decisions of this Panel are made in accordance with Terms of Reference of the BMI Exhibition Committee.Decisions on selection will take into account the quality of the Pictures submitted. Works that may be considered offensive by the Panel will be declined.The Summer Show Opens at 9.00 am on Monday, 3 August. A Private View will take place on Thursday, 6 August from 5.00-8.00 pm in the Sir William Blake Richmond Gallery. All exhibiting artists will be invited to attend with family and friends.The Summer Show Closes at 5.00 pm on Saturday, 19 September.Collection of Pictures: All works must be collected following the closure of the show between Monday 21 September and Saturday, 26 September 2026.Please Help Us make this BMI Summer Show a success by entering your Works and letting your friends, family and colleagues know about the Summer Show – and encourage them all to attend!Thank you! We look forward to receiving your work!!For more details. please call the BMI on 0121 2363591
Summer Show – Call for Entries
2026 BMI SUMMER SHOWMonday, 3 August to Saturday, 19 SeptemberCALL for ENTRIESThe 2026 BMI Summer Show is open to all artists based across Birmingham and the Midlands. The exhibition will be held in the BMI entrance foyer and the William Blake Richmond Gallery. The exhibition is free to enter and exhibitors may submit up to three pictures and sell their work, if they wish. We welcome Art works in a wide variety of media. The subject, theme and topic of each work is open to the artist, although we particularly welcome works related to Birmingham and the Midlands. Please help us make this year’s Show a success by entering your Pictures and letting everyone know about the Summer Show!Notes for EntrantsEach artist can submit up to three pictures for selection.Pictures must be delivered to the BMI between Monday, 13 July and Monday, 21 July between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm.Each picture can be no larger than 48 x 36 inches (122 cm x 94 cm).Works can be made in a wide variety of media and methods, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and mixed media.Watercolour and other works on paper must be framed.All submitted works must have picture hooks in place and nylon cord attached so that they can be hung using a gallery rod system.Please deliver pictures in protective wrapping (ideally transparent bubble-wrap).All pictures should be delivered with three standard white Address labels with the picture’s Title and the Artist’s name printed in black ink on the label in Ariel Font 14 Bold.One label must be attached to the back of the picture/frame with the Artist’s contact details (ideally, an email address + phone number) also included on this label only.Two further labels must be enclosed in a small envelope, attached to the back of the picture with the Picture’s title, and Artist’s name below. If the picture is intended for sale, the price of the picture should also be shown on these two labels.Please note that any picture sold during the Summer Show will result in 20% of the sale price being paid to the BMI.The selection of pictures to be exhibited at the Summer Show will be made by the Exhibition Committee during week beginning Monday, 20 July. Entrants will be informed whether or not their work is to be shown by Monday, 27 July The decision of the Selection Panel on the pictures to be exhibited is final.All decisions of this Panel are made in accordance with Terms of Reference of the BMI Exhibition Committee.Decisions on selection will take into account the quality of the Pictures submitted. Works that may be considered offensive by the Panel will be declined.The Summer Show Opens at 9.00 am on Monday, 3 August. A Private View will take place on Thursday, 6 August from 5.00-8.00 pm in the Sir William Blake Richmond Gallery. All exhibiting artists will be invited to attend with family and friends.The Summer Show Closes at 5.00 pm on Saturday, 19 September.Collection of Pictures: All works must be collected following the closure of the show between Monday 21 September and Saturday, 26 September 2026.Please Help Us make this BMI Summer Show a success by entering your Works and letting your friends, family and colleagues know about the Summer Show – and encourage them all to attend!Thank you! We look forward to receiving your work!!For more details. please call the BMI on 0121 2363591
Summer Show – Call for Entries
2026 BMI SUMMER SHOWMonday, 3 August to Saturday, 19 SeptemberCALL for ENTRIESThe 2026 BMI Summer Show is open to all artists based across Birmingham and the Midlands. The exhibition will be held in the BMI entrance foyer and the William Blake Richmond Gallery. The exhibition is free to enter and exhibitors may submit up to three pictures and sell their work, if they wish. We welcome Art works in a wide variety of media. The subject, theme and topic of each work is open to the artist, although we particularly welcome works related to Birmingham and the Midlands. Please help us make this year’s Show a success by entering your Pictures and letting everyone know about the Summer Show!Notes for EntrantsEach artist can submit up to three pictures for selection.Pictures must be delivered to the BMI between Monday, 13 July and Monday, 21 July between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm.Each picture can be no larger than 48 x 36 inches (122 cm x 94 cm).Works can be made in a wide variety of media and methods, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and mixed media.Watercolour and other works on paper must be framed.All submitted works must have picture hooks in place and nylon cord attached so that they can be hung using a gallery rod system.Please deliver pictures in protective wrapping (ideally transparent bubble-wrap).All pictures should be delivered with three standard white Address labels with the picture’s Title and the Artist’s name printed in black ink on the label in Ariel Font 14 Bold.One label must be attached to the back of the picture/frame with the Artist’s contact details (ideally, an email address + phone number) also included on this label only.Two further labels must be enclosed in a small envelope, attached to the back of the picture with the Picture’s title, and Artist’s name below. If the picture is intended for sale, the price of the picture should also be shown on these two labels.Please note that any picture sold during the Summer Show will result in 20% of the sale price being paid to the BMI.The selection of pictures to be exhibited at the Summer Show will be made by the Exhibition Committee during week beginning Monday, 20 July. Entrants will be informed whether or not their work is to be shown by Monday, 27 July The decision of the Selection Panel on the pictures to be exhibited is final.All decisions of this Panel are made in accordance with Terms of Reference of the BMI Exhibition Committee.Decisions on selection will take into account the quality of the Pictures submitted. Works that may be considered offensive by the Panel will be declined.The Summer Show Opens at 9.00 am on Monday, 3 August. A Private View will take place on Thursday, 6 August from 5.00-8.00 pm in the Sir William Blake Richmond Gallery. All exhibiting artists will be invited to attend with family and friends.The Summer Show Closes at 5.00 pm on Saturday, 19 September.Collection of Pictures: All works must be collected following the closure of the show between Monday 21 September and Saturday, 26 September 2026.Please Help Us make this BMI Summer Show a success by entering your Works and letting your friends, family and colleagues know about the Summer Show – and encourage them all to attend!Thank you! We look forward to receiving your work!!For more details. please call the BMI on 0121 2363591
Summer Show – Call for Entries
2026 BMI SUMMER SHOWMonday, 3 August to Saturday, 19 SeptemberCALL for ENTRIESThe 2026 BMI Summer Show is open to all artists based across Birmingham and the Midlands. The exhibition will be held in the BMI entrance foyer and the William Blake Richmond Gallery. The exhibition is free to enter and exhibitors may submit up to three pictures and sell their work, if they wish. We welcome Art works in a wide variety of media. The subject, theme and topic of each work is open to the artist, although we particularly welcome works related to Birmingham and the Midlands. Please help us make this year’s Show a success by entering your Pictures and letting everyone know about the Summer Show!Notes for EntrantsEach artist can submit up to three pictures for selection.Pictures must be delivered to the BMI between Monday, 13 July and Monday, 21 July between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm.Each picture can be no larger than 48 x 36 inches (122 cm x 94 cm).Works can be made in a wide variety of media and methods, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and mixed media.Watercolour and other works on paper must be framed.All submitted works must have picture hooks in place and nylon cord attached so that they can be hung using a gallery rod system.Please deliver pictures in protective wrapping (ideally transparent bubble-wrap).All pictures should be delivered with three standard white Address labels with the picture’s Title and the Artist’s name printed in black ink on the label in Ariel Font 14 Bold.One label must be attached to the back of the picture/frame with the Artist’s contact details (ideally, an email address + phone number) also included on this label only.Two further labels must be enclosed in a small envelope, attached to the back of the picture with the Picture’s title, and Artist’s name below. If the picture is intended for sale, the price of the picture should also be shown on these two labels.Please note that any picture sold during the Summer Show will result in 20% of the sale price being paid to the BMI.The selection of pictures to be exhibited at the Summer Show will be made by the Exhibition Committee during week beginning Monday, 20 July. Entrants will be informed whether or not their work is to be shown by Monday, 27 July The decision of the Selection Panel on the pictures to be exhibited is final.All decisions of this Panel are made in accordance with Terms of Reference of the BMI Exhibition Committee.Decisions on selection will take into account the quality of the Pictures submitted. Works that may be considered offensive by the Panel will be declined.The Summer Show Opens at 9.00 am on Monday, 3 August. A Private View will take place on Thursday, 6 August from 5.00-8.00 pm in the Sir William Blake Richmond Gallery. All exhibiting artists will be invited to attend with family and friends.The Summer Show Closes at 5.00 pm on Saturday, 19 September.Collection of Pictures: All works must be collected following the closure of the show between Monday 21 September and Saturday, 26 September 2026.Please Help Us make this BMI Summer Show a success by entering your Works and letting your friends, family and colleagues know about the Summer Show – and encourage them all to attend!Thank you! We look forward to receiving your work!!For more details. please call the BMI on 0121 2363591
Summer Show – Call for Entries
2026 BMI SUMMER SHOWMonday, 3 August to Saturday, 19 SeptemberCALL for ENTRIESThe 2026 BMI Summer Show is open to all artists based across Birmingham and the Midlands. The exhibition will be held in the BMI entrance foyer and the William Blake Richmond Gallery. The exhibition is free to enter and exhibitors may submit up to three pictures and sell their work, if they wish. We welcome Art works in a wide variety of media. The subject, theme and topic of each work is open to the artist, although we particularly welcome works related to Birmingham and the Midlands. Please help us make this year’s Show a success by entering your Pictures and letting everyone know about the Summer Show!Notes for EntrantsEach artist can submit up to three pictures for selection.Pictures must be delivered to the BMI between Monday, 13 July and Monday, 21 July between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm.Each picture can be no larger than 48 x 36 inches (122 cm x 94 cm).Works can be made in a wide variety of media and methods, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and mixed media.Watercolour and other works on paper must be framed.All submitted works must have picture hooks in place and nylon cord attached so that they can be hung using a gallery rod system.Please deliver pictures in protective wrapping (ideally transparent bubble-wrap).All pictures should be delivered with three standard white Address labels with the picture’s Title and the Artist’s name printed in black ink on the label in Ariel Font 14 Bold.One label must be attached to the back of the picture/frame with the Artist’s contact details (ideally, an email address + phone number) also included on this label only.Two further labels must be enclosed in a small envelope, attached to the back of the picture with the Picture’s title, and Artist’s name below. If the picture is intended for sale, the price of the picture should also be shown on these two labels.Please note that any picture sold during the Summer Show will result in 20% of the sale price being paid to the BMI.The selection of pictures to be exhibited at the Summer Show will be made by the Exhibition Committee during week beginning Monday, 20 July. Entrants will be informed whether or not their work is to be shown by Monday, 27 July The decision of the Selection Panel on the pictures to be exhibited is final.All decisions of this Panel are made in accordance with Terms of Reference of the BMI Exhibition Committee.Decisions on selection will take into account the quality of the Pictures submitted. Works that may be considered offensive by the Panel will be declined.The Summer Show Opens at 9.00 am on Monday, 3 August. A Private View will take place on Thursday, 6 August from 5.00-8.00 pm in the Sir William Blake Richmond Gallery. All exhibiting artists will be invited to attend with family and friends.The Summer Show Closes at 5.00 pm on Saturday, 19 September.Collection of Pictures: All works must be collected following the closure of the show between Monday 21 September and Saturday, 26 September 2026.Please Help Us make this BMI Summer Show a success by entering your Works and letting your friends, family and colleagues know about the Summer Show – and encourage them all to attend!Thank you! We look forward to receiving your work!!For more details. please call the BMI on 0121 2363591
Summer Show – Call for Entries
2026 BMI SUMMER SHOWMonday, 3 August to Saturday, 19 SeptemberCALL for ENTRIESThe 2026 BMI Summer Show is open to all artists based across Birmingham and the Midlands. The exhibition will be held in the BMI entrance foyer and the William Blake Richmond Gallery. The exhibition is free to enter and exhibitors may submit up to three pictures and sell their work, if they wish. We welcome Art works in a wide variety of media. The subject, theme and topic of each work is open to the artist, although we particularly welcome works related to Birmingham and the Midlands. Please help us make this year’s Show a success by entering your Pictures and letting everyone know about the Summer Show!Notes for EntrantsEach artist can submit up to three pictures for selection.Pictures must be delivered to the BMI between Monday, 13 July and Monday, 21 July between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm.Each picture can be no larger than 48 x 36 inches (122 cm x 94 cm).Works can be made in a wide variety of media and methods, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and mixed media.Watercolour and other works on paper must be framed.All submitted works must have picture hooks in place and nylon cord attached so that they can be hung using a gallery rod system.Please deliver pictures in protective wrapping (ideally transparent bubble-wrap).All pictures should be delivered with three standard white Address labels with the picture’s Title and the Artist’s name printed in black ink on the label in Ariel Font 14 Bold.One label must be attached to the back of the picture/frame with the Artist’s contact details (ideally, an email address + phone number) also included on this label only.Two further labels must be enclosed in a small envelope, attached to the back of the picture with the Picture’s title, and Artist’s name below. If the picture is intended for sale, the price of the picture should also be shown on these two labels.Please note that any picture sold during the Summer Show will result in 20% of the sale price being paid to the BMI.The selection of pictures to be exhibited at the Summer Show will be made by the Exhibition Committee during week beginning Monday, 20 July. Entrants will be informed whether or not their work is to be shown by Monday, 27 July The decision of the Selection Panel on the pictures to be exhibited is final.All decisions of this Panel are made in accordance with Terms of Reference of the BMI Exhibition Committee.Decisions on selection will take into account the quality of the Pictures submitted. Works that may be considered offensive by the Panel will be declined.The Summer Show Opens at 9.00 am on Monday, 3 August. A Private View will take place on Thursday, 6 August from 5.00-8.00 pm in the Sir William Blake Richmond Gallery. All exhibiting artists will be invited to attend with family and friends.The Summer Show Closes at 5.00 pm on Saturday, 19 September.Collection of Pictures: All works must be collected following the closure of the show between Monday 21 September and Saturday, 26 September 2026.Please Help Us make this BMI Summer Show a success by entering your Works and letting your friends, family and colleagues know about the Summer Show – and encourage them all to attend!Thank you! We look forward to receiving your work!!For more details. please call the BMI on 0121 2363591
Marvellous Makers
Each Sunday step into a buzzing creative space with different activities every week. These sessions are perfect for curious minds who want to try something different, hands-on and totally free. Whether you’re building wild sculptures from recycled materials, drawing from real-life taxidermy, creating huge collaborative floor artworks, or making your own wearable badge art – there’s always something new to explore!These activities are inspired by the galleries and exhibitions you’ll find around the museum – so after you’ve made your masterpiece, go explore what sparked it.Event InformationSuitable for all ages. Children must be supervised by an adultEvery Sunday, 11am – 3pmDrop in, no booking requiredFree activity
Marvellous Makers
Each Sunday step into a buzzing creative space with different activities every week. These sessions are perfect for curious minds who want to try something different, hands-on and totally free. Whether you’re building wild sculptures from recycled materials, drawing from real-life taxidermy, creating huge collaborative floor artworks, or making your own wearable badge art – there’s always something new to explore!These activities are inspired by the galleries and exhibitions you’ll find around the museum – so after you’ve made your masterpiece, go explore what sparked it.Event InformationSuitable for all ages. Children must be supervised by an adultEvery Sunday, 11am – 3pmDrop in, no booking requiredFree activity