SPARK

Our S:PARK installation has emerged from a feasibility study we were commissioned to produce for Birmingham City Council Arts Team. Our focus was how to create an inclusive creative space that supports artistic and playful participation, where children and adults of all ages and abilities can create, play and enjoy art.

Populated with a range of ‘loose arts’ made from a range of natural and upcycled materials, our SPARK site values quality of the process over the product. The installation changes in shape, colour and form depending on the contribution from the creators on the day. We are able to transform indoor and outdoor spaces into a colourful landscape.

In 2022 we were commissioned by Birmingham City Council to take our SPARK on tour as part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival. In total, we made 6 community stops across neighbourhoods in Birmingham, finally ending with a 3 day SPARK at our garden in Northfield.

Watch the video to find out more!

Filmed and edited by Kyle Xay

SPARK pop ups

 

2019 - 2022

Spark Tour 2022 - Various locations in Birmingham

Birmingham Weekender 2019 - Birmingham City University

Birmingham Weekender 2021 - Bullring Markets

Harborne Village Street Festival 2021

Growing Up Green Childrens Festival 2021

The Glue Garden

In 2014 we were given access to a piece of wasteland in Northfield, Birmingham. Since then we have been working to develop it into a hub for the community. We aim to provide a small haven in the city for Growing, Learning and Play.

The garden is available to hire for organisations and groups, Contact us to find out more.

Projects at The Glue Garden

 

2017 - 2020

Happy Healthy Holidays – with Children’s Quarter Birmingham

Nature Play - Development of the community garden creating a more accessible and creative play space.  Collaboration with Balsall Heath Cats, Children’s Quarter, Parks for Play, Victoria School & Specialist Arts College.

Green Project – Engaging local children who live close to the community garden to prevent anti-social behaviour. Collaboration with Shenely Community Association  

Sophia Foundation – Providing access to green space and creative arts with women escaping sex trafficking.

Working with Shenley Community Association, Devenish Girl CIC and DATUIS to provide access to green space and creative arts with people overcoming addictions.

The Woodland

We are the guardians of an ancient woodland, it is a site of scientific special interest which means the wood is home to rare flora and fauna. When you begin to place your feet in the woods you begin to wonder at the incredible life that lives beaneath them and the canopy above your head.

It is the perfect space to immerse yourself into nature and to tap into its great healing powers.

Woodland Projects

 

2017 - 2020

Peri Urban Futures Conference - Developing unused land into creative spaces for artists and children.

Making Local Woods Work – Creating a woodland management plan, to make our woodland accessible to groups for ‘Greencare’ wellbeing engagement.

Off - site Projects

 

2017 - 2022

Inclusion Fusion at  Meriden Adventure Playground - Training session for practitioners to embed nature play practice when creating inclusive play spaces

Arts Stop at Uffculme School - After school art sessions with students.

Birmingham Big Weekender 2019  - Sensory Play interactive installation at Birmingham City University, Park Side.

Birmingham Weekender 2020 - SPARK Pop Up - Bull Ring, Birmingham

Spark Feasibility Project 2021 - Working with community gardens in Northfield to install elements of our SPARK project in local spaces.

Inside Out - Working with primary schools in Smethwick to develop outdoor play areas in collaboration with pupils.

Birmingham Festival 2022 - SPARK Tour, various locations

Intergenerational Growing Project - Hawkesley Community Centre and Hawkesley Primary School