Working with artists and participants from across Birmingham, Craftspace are making 4600 hand-embellished gifts, upcycling locally-sourced materials into messages of welcome, made with love in Brum.
The artistic team for 4600 Gifts is made up of a mix of product designers, artists and designer makers including Pottinger + Cole, Laura Nyahuye, Mahawa Keita and Kalandra McFarquhar, all based in the West Midlands.
A first free mass-making opportunity took place at Selfridges, Birmingham on 9 and 10 April, with community making workshops in Moseley and Winson Green throughout April and May. A second mass-making opportunity took place in Cathedral Square in Birmingham on 13, 14, 15 May.
Deirdre Figueiredo, Director of Craftspace said: “We are working with a fantastic team of artists to deliver 4600 Gifts, a project that re-thinks the idea of Birmingham as the workshop of the world, demonstrating that craft can be a powerful tool for bringing people together to share skills and stories and to ultimately create a personal gift for another person, a visitor to our city.
“Participants don’t need any experience or know-how to take part; we provide everything needed to wrap, knot and stitch. Each gift will carry a message of welcome with the finished gifts and personal messages presented to each visiting athlete when they arrive for the Games in July.”
The gifts themselves are made from metal washers which are upcycled by wrapping, stitching and knotting with yarn. All materials are sourced locally, the yarns are sourced from The Scrapstore, Birmingham and chosen to reflect the flags of the Commonwealth nations and territories, and the metal washers are from Oldbury based Stephens Gaskets.
Workshop places are free and all materials are provided, each making session lasts between 1hr and 1hr 30mins.
The project will see a personalised gift and message of welcome – made by the people of Birmingham – placed into the hands of every athlete. To join in, sign up at craftspace.co.uk/4600gifts.
Get involved here:
The Pantry, South Yardley
Thursday 16th, 23rd & 30th June
Session 1: 12.30-1.30pm
Session 2: 1.30-2.30pm
Walsall Leather Museum
Tuesday 21st June,
11.30am – 12.30pm
12.45 – 1.45pm
2.00 – 3.00pm
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum
Friday 24th June
11.30am – 1.15pm
1.45pm – 3.30pm
Bearwood Hub: St Mary’s Church
Saturday 25th June,
11.15am – 12.15pm
12.30pm – 1.30pm
1.45pm – 2.45pm
Colmore BID: Birmingham & Midlands Institute
Tuesday 28th June
12pm – 12.45pm
12.45pm – 1.30pm
1.30pm – 2.15pm
Grand Central Birmingham
Saturday 2nd – Sunday 3rd July
12.30pm – 4.00pm & 1.00pm – 3.30pm
From 30th June – 9th July 2022, the 4600 Gifts showcase takes place at the Library of Birmingham. A selection of gifts and messages will be on display, hand-made by the people of Birmingham.
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