SMETHWICK
Smethwick is traditionally a town of innovation - it has an exceptional cast iron bridge built by Thomas Telford in 1829, and The Chance Brothers Glassworks made huge breakthroughs in glass manufacture, including the opalescent glass which fronts Big Ben. Smethwick is also the location of Warley Woods, one of Sandwell's forested areas covering over a hundred acres.
Smethwick is one of the most culturally diverse towns in the UK. It’s a longstanding neighbourhood of Irish, Sikh, Muslim Afro-Caribbean and White British communities. This is reflected in the choice of food available in the town.
Exhibitions
Jaskirt Boora, Anand Chhabra, Billy Dosanjh, Andrew Jackson, Black Country Sikhs, Sound Kitchen
EVENTS
HOME AND BELONGING
TUE 11 JUNE
11AM - 3PM
FREE EVENT / BOOKING ESSENTIAL
SANDWELL COMMUNITY HISTORY & ARCHIVES SERVICE, B66 1AA
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.
Artist talk: anand chhabra
FRI 7 JUNE
6PM
FREE EVENT / BOOKING ESSENTIAL
GURU NANAK GURDWARA, SMETHWICK, B66 3AP
An opportunity to hear Anand Chhabra talk about the Apna Heritage Archive and gain an insight into this wonderful collection of images.
COMMUNITY EVENT: MOTHERSHIP
THU 20 JUNE
1PM
FREE EVENT / NO BOOKING
THIMBLEMILL LIBRARY, SMETHWICK, B67 5RJ
In association with Liz Hingley’s Home Made in Smethwick exhibition, Multistory and Mothership invite you to join the MARKit group to hear about their creative textile skills and products. Refreshments provided.
ARTIST TALK: BILLY DOSANJH
TUE 18 JUNE
6PM
FREE EVENT / NO BOOKING
THE RED COW PUB, SMETHWICK, B66 3NL
Billy Dosanjh talks about his photographic series The Exiles and screens previously unseen Super 8 footage of the Punjab and Sandwell, chronicling one family's journey.
SOUND WALK: CUT & FADE
SAT 22 JUNE
10.30AM & 11AM
FREE EVENT / BOOKING ESSENTIAL
MEET AT WHY NOT CAFÉ, SMETHWICK, B66 4BW
SOUNDkitchen lead a guided version of their sound walk, unveiling stories found within the high density of barbers and hairdressers serving the diverse local community.
LAUNCH EVENT: JASKIRT BOORA
FRI 21 JUNE
6PM - 8PM
FREE EVENT / NO BOOKING
LIGHTWOODS HOUSE, SMETHWICK, B67 5DP
Join Jaskirt Boora and her family to celebrate her exhibition Mit ti Di Khushboo – The Smell of the Land, a universal story of migrant communities.
LAUNCH EVENT: BLACK COUNTRY SIKHS & BILLY DOSANJH
SAT 22 JUNE
FREE EVENT / NO BOOKING
1PM
SMETHWICK HERITAGE CENTRE, SMETHWICK, B66 3NJ
Come and join us for the launch of the Black Country Sikhs book and Billy Dosanjh's The Exiles with music by Balbir Bhujhangy.
FILM: COLOUR BOX FAMILY SHORTS
SAT 22 JUNE
11AM - 12.30PM
FREE EVENT / NO BOOKING
WHY NOT CAFÉ, SMETHWICK, B66 4BW
Inspired by SOUNDkitchen’s Cut & Fade project Flatpack presents a selection of ‘hairlarious’ animation shorts. Family fun for everyone!