Weekly Events and Exhibitions: 10 - 16 June
This week, Blast Festival of Photography, Talks and Walks higlights the Sandwell town of Oldbury, with artist talks, exhibition tours, film screenings and workshops taking place throughout.
Exhibitions taking place are Estate Return by Robert Clayton at Rounds Green Library, Kate Jackson’s The Village at Langley Park Lodge and Family Portraits by Inka & Niclas Lindergård at Oldbury Council House.
For a full list of artists exhibiting work throughout the Festival, you can download the brochure or visit the artist pages.
On the 11th of June, Andrew Jackson hosts a visual storytelling workshop. On June 13th is the preview of Mahtab Hussain’s exhibition The Quiet Town of Tipton and Dr Euripides Altintzoglou will be ‘in conversation’ with Anand Chhabra (Apna Heritage Archive) and Emma Chetcuti (Multistory Director). On the 14th June Kate Jackson introduces The Village; an exhibition of work newly commissioned as part of the Forge Programme.
TUESDAY 11 JUNE
Workshop: Home & Belonging
Andrew Jackson leads a visual storytelling workshop, learn to tell your story of belonging, through words and pictures, and help tell the story of Smethwick.
Time: 11AM – 3PM
Location: Sandwell Community History & Archives Service, Smethwick, B66 1AA
Free event / Book here
THURSDAY 13 JUNE
Exhibition Preview: The Quiet Town of Tipton
A preview of Mahtab Hussain’s exhibition The Quiet Town of Tipton and an 'in conversation' between Euripides Altintzoglou (Wolverhampton School of Art), Anand Chhabra (Apna Heritage Archive) and Emma Chetcuti (Multistory).
Time: 5PM – 7PM
Location: Wolverhampton School of Art, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DT
Free event, no booking required.
FRIDAY 14 JUNE
Exhibition Launch: Kate Jackson
Join photographer Kate Jackson for an informal talk and introduction to her recent project and exhibition The Village, celebrating the resilience of smaller shops and businesses in Langley. Refreshments provided.
Time: 4PM – 6PM
Location: Langley Park Lodge, Oldbury, B69 4SL
Free event, no booking required.
SATURDAY 15 JUNE
On June 15th, why not make a day of it and join Robert Clayton for a talk and family friendly workshop at Rounds Green Library to celebrate the launch of his exhibition ‘Estate Return.’ Then head over to Langley Park Lodge to watch the fantastic Agnes Varda documentary ‘Faces / Places’ and then stay for artist Mark Murphy's Collage Party.
Exhibition Launch: Estate Return
Join Robert Clayton and library staff for a talk, family-friendly art workshop, food and refreshments to celebrate the launch of his exhibition Estate Return and pick up a free copy of the exhibition newspaper.
Time: 11AM – 3PM
Location: Rounds Green Library, Oldbury, B69 1DZ
Free event, no booking required.
Film Screening: Faces / Places
A warm, enlightening and surprising documentary following Agnes Varda and fellow artist JR as they travel around rural France creating portraits of the people they meet.
Time: 6PM - 7.30PM
Location: Langley Park Lodge, B69 4SL
Booking essential, £3PP Book here
Workshop: Collage Party
Join Mark Murphy for a celebratory collage workshop, turning the creative reigns over to you to make your own fantastic collage creations.
Time: 7.30PM – 9PM
Location: Langley Park Lodge, B69 4SL
Free event / Book here
Highlights from other towns include: Girl Gaze: Journeys Through the Punjab and the Black Country, UK; Polska Britannica // Stories of Home by Czesław Siegieda and Jon Tonks; Tipton Carnival Queens Shine Again by Erik Kessels; The Caravan Gallery; Black Country Living; Five Decades of Self Portrait; Mitti Di Khushboo – The Smell of the Land by Jaskirt Boora; Faye Claridge's Parody Pies; and Black Country Sikhs.
If you’re making a weekend of it and are not local, our recommendations about where to eat and drink can be found here and the Premier Inn on the High Street in West Bromwich is the closest accommodation to the festival activities.