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“Under the Sultan’s Shadow”: Ottoman Exhibition and Curator Talks in Balsall Heath by MIAH Foundation

A fascinating new exhibition has opened in Balsall Heath, offering visitors the chance to explore one of history’s most influential empires.

Facsimile of Sultan Suleiman’s illuminated poetry (*Muhibbi Divani*) and maps by Matrakçı Nasuh. © MIAH Foundation

The Museum of Islamic Arts & Heritage (MIAH) Foundation’s latest exhibition, Under the Sultan’s Shadow: How Imperial Identity Shaped Ottoman Life and Culture, examines how the Ottoman Empire consciously built its identity by drawing upon different historic empires, and wider Islamic traditions of the lands it ruled. Through objects, manuscripts, maps, and artwork, visitors can discover how these influences shaped Ottoman society, culture, and public life.

Highlights include a facsimile Qur’an copied by the renowned Ottoman calligrapher Sheikh Hamdullah, maps by the famous explorer Piri Reis, and a sixteenth-century tile from the Dome of the Rock that once adorned al-Masjid al-Aqsa

Based in the gallery space in Moseley Community Hub on Moseley Road (which used to be the Old Moseley School of Art) the exhibition brings together objects from private collections that are being displayed together for the first time. Alongside the exhibition, MIAH is delivering a programme of workshops, talks, and family-friendly activities throughout the summer.

The exhibition is currently scheduled to run over the coming months, with hopes of extending its stay should additional funding be secured.

Visitors can find out more and book tickets here: https://miahfoundation.com/events/exhibition-under-the-sultans-shadow

Monthly Curator Talks

For those keen to explore the exhibition in greater depth, MIAH is also hosting a series of monthly curator talks. The next session, Ottoman Art, will explore how Ottoman artists drew inspiration from Byzantine architecture, Persian motifs, Chinese porcelain, and Abbasid calligraphy, transforming these influences into a distinctive Ottoman visual language during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.

Future talks in the series will cover Ottoman art, architecture, and the later Ottoman period, giving visitors a deeper insight into the exhibition’s themes and the process behind its creation.

To register for upcoming curator talks, visit:
https://miahfoundation.com/events/under-the-sultans-shadow-curator-talk-in-person-ottoman-art

Who are the MIAH Foundation and how can you find us?
Founded in 2020, the MIAH Foundation works to promote awareness and understanding of Islamic arts, heritage, and culture through exhibitions, education programmes, workshops, and events. Its long-term aim is to establish the UK’s first independent museum dedicated to the arts and heritage of Muslims and the Islamic world.

We are located on Moseley Road in the Moseley Community Hub:

MIAH Foundation Islamic Arts & Heritage Gallery
496 Moseley Rd
Balsall Heath
Birmingham
B12 9AH

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For all enquires email us at co*****@************on.com.

We look forward to welcoming you all to our gallery!

Banners out for the Festival #BHCFest26!

Balsall Heath Community Festival starts in just 23 Days! We’ve been finalising events, preparing banners, and will have all out at next Second Saturday, 13th June 2026, The Old Print Works, to put the finishing touches together with everyone.

To reflect the old Carnival preparations, we’ll be painting a giant bill board this Saturday, listing all the fabulous activities, all FREE over the ten days of the festival.

Balsall Heath Community Festival 3rd – 13th July 2026 #BHCFest26

New Banners for our Festival

Faisal Hussain has been working to make banners for Believe in Balsall Heath, and Retrofit Balsall Heath are starting the Festival with workshops making banners for an East West Procession across Balsall Heath, connecting it’s Parks on 5th July. Banners also feature in a touring Carnival Exhibition, linking many of the events across Balsall Heath over ten days.

Balsall Heath Community Festival 3rd – 13th July 2026 #BHCFest26

Packed programme of activities over ten days

Balsall Heath Community Festival 2026 Schedule

Banners Showing Strength in our Community

Jayne Thakoordin's Banner for Balsall Heath — Jayne Thakoordin’s Banner for Balsall Heath

Jane Thakoordin worked with Sewing Solidarity, a collaborative project with GAP Arts a young people focused creative project in Balsall Heath, 2025. Working over several sessions, a diverse group of young people engaged in discussions about their relationship to local community. Drawing on the traditions of union banner making, they co-designed a series of small hangings and a larger banner.

The banners are exhibited permanently at GAP Arts and the larger banner is available for local organisations and groups to borrow for community events, as it will be for #BHCFest26 The phrase “Strength in our Community” was written by a young participant of the Sewing Solidarity project.

Goodbye to Trams, Hello Festival!

Third history panel opened on Moseley Road ahead of Balsall Heath Community Festival outside Creation Climbing Centre, where once you’d see trams!

Balsall Heath Community Festival 3rd to 13th July 2026 #BHCFest26

Balsall Heath has seen many changes over the decades, reflecting it’s rich and every changing culture. Ten interpretation panels will be installed ready for Balsall Heath Community Festival, linked to the fabulous images of Mick Turner as well as archive images and present day photography. The Tramworks is a Listed building of historical significance. A truly grand tramwork purpose built and specially designed to be in keeping with the ‘select residential area’ around it.

Climber and Manager Joe outside Creation Climbing Centre, next to the history panel.

Jago, a regular climber finds out about the Tramworks for the first time 2026 — Jago, a regular climber finds out about Trams in Brum

Jago, a regular climber at Creation Climbing Centre said:

‘It’s really cool that these buildings aren’t demolished or lost.’

Reflections of the Carnival

The history panels will be ready for Balsall Heath Community Festival, 3rd to 13th July #BHCFest26. Balsall Heath Local History Society (BHLHS) have been selecting Archive images, talking to residents, businesses and local organisations to reflect our history in the panels. For more of the images and stories we are linking via QR code on our panels to ‘In Changing Times‘ resources. We will be building on these to keep our history alive and updated as Balsall Heath changes.

BHLHS are also preparing a touring ‘Balsall Heath Carnival Exhibition’ to run alongside many of the events happening as part of the Festival. The Carnival used to be on the first weekend of July, and while nothing can replace it, the Festival is one way we are hoping to continue celebrating our community and building pride in it.

Panels one and two:

First Historical Trail Panel Unveiled at Seven Streets Pocket Park

Reclaiming Urban Spaces in Calthorpe Park

Keep updated with the Heathan for more info on our Festival, or get in contact with your ideas, enthusiasm and commitment to celebrate Balsall Heath!

Balsall Heath Community Festival 3rd to 13th July 2026 #BHCFest26

Seeing Rhonda: Exhibition and Archives of a Birmingham Photography Pioneer

The work, activism, and lasting influence of photographer Rhonda Wilson are being brought back into the light in a brand-new exhibition, Seeing Rhonda, making its debut alongside the official launch of the Rhonda Wilson Community Archive at The Old Print Works.

Spanning more than three decades of work from the 1980s to the 2010s, this project is a tribute to a woman who changed the cultural landscape of our city.

Photographer and Activist

She was a photographer, journalist, educator, cultural entrepreneur and activist, championing Birmingham women and social change through her photography, tackling issues like low pay, homelessness, and women’s representation.

Photographs, letters, posters and publications sit alongside personal notes, sketches and overlooked ephemera, revealing how she worked, collaborated and built opportunities for others.

Archives return to Balsall Heath

Initiated by Dr. Annette Naudin (Associate Professor at Birmingham City University) in partnership with The Old Print Works and PRISM Photography Network, the project brings Rhonda’s legacy back to where she lived and worked.

“It is very fitting to have Rhonda’s archive in Balsall Heath where, in 1989, she set up the Poseurs Studio and Gallery with fellow photographer Ming de Nasty. The process of uncovering letters of thanks, rolls of her photographs and her personal notes is both exciting and profoundly moving.”
Dr Annette Naudin

From co-founding Poseurs Studio and Gallery in the late 1980s to developing influential initiatives such as Seeing the Light (founded 1995) and Rhubarb-Rhubarb (founded 1999). Personal letters included in the archive offer a powerful insight into Wilson’s impact, documenting how her support shaped careers and opened doors for emerging photographers. The archive and exhibition bring into focus the contributions of women too often absent from formal collections, and reframing Birmingham’s cultural history through their work.

“We are delighted to host the Rhonda Wilson Community Archive here at The Old Print Works and to have the opportunity to shine a light on this important part of the city’s cultural history. Rhonda’s influence and impact on photographers and creatives is evident and we look forward to developing the archive further.”
Hannah Greenwood & Rebecca Tura, Interim Co-CEOs, The Old Print Works

Archive material, Rhonda Wilson community archive. Image courtesy The Old Print Works.

Hand coloured manual photomontage portrait of Rhonda Wilson by Ming De Nasty 1995 Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International licence

“She thrived on creativity, she based her world upon it…One of the last things she said to me recently was ‘If an image can hold you for a second, then take you on a journey somewhere secret, peaceful or magical or tell a story to the viewer, it’s a true reflection of the person that made it’. To the very end she talked about light.”
John McQueen

Plan Your Visit

The exhibition is free (though donations to support the archive are very welcome!).

Event	Dates & Times	Location
Main Exhibition Run	Tuesday 23 June – Saturday 27 June 11am-5pm	The Old Print Works, Balsall Heath
The Official Launch Event	Thursday 25 June 6pm-8pm	The Old Print Works, Balsall Heath
Special July Opening	Saturday 11 July (As part of Balsall Heath Second Saturday and Balsall Heath Community Festival) 11am-4pm	The Old Print Works, Balsall Heath

Where to find it:

The Old Print Works, 498-506 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12 9AH.

For more information about the ongoing archive project, you can reach out to research lead Dr. Annette Naudin at an************@****ac.uk.

Seeing Rhonda

Adding colour to our Festival with Retrofit BH

The energy, (and the heat) was high at The Old Print Works as we officially launched some very special additions to this year’s Balsall Heath Community Festival.

Model practice at Retrofit

Retrofit Balsall Heath showcased their fabulous retro model house. Their team ran interactive activities and chatted with residents about how to insulate Balsall Heath’s beautiful (but sometimes drafty!) older housing stock to help cut down energy bills. The model house itself has travelled a fair bit already to local schools, and will be taking to the pavement again for Balsall Heath Community Festival. You’ll get another chance to see the model house in action, taking pride of place in our “East West Retrofit Procession” on Sunday, 5th July, the third day of our mammoth ten-day community celebration!

Retrofit Model House in action in The Old Print Works Cafe

Colouring competition returns

Long-time residents will fondly remember the iconic colouring competitions from the old Balsall Heath Carnival days (1977–2016). Back then, local schools and local organisations would distribute posters, and families would proudly display the finished masterpieces in their front windows for the judges to spot while walking the streets, with fabulous prizes up for grabs!

We loved that tradition so much that we are bringing it back for 2026!

Colouring sheet 2026 – contact bh********************@***il.com – Rules for entry

Save the dates

We are building up to an incredible ten days of celebrating our community. Here is what you need to know right now:

Get those colouring posters filled in and displayed in your windows!
Keep an eye on updates in the Heathan, as more dates and activities are announced
Take part in our mammoth 10-day celebration of everything that makes Balsall Heath amazing.

Share your progress, your finished windows, and festival excitement using the hashtag #BHCFest26!

#BHCFest26

First Historical Trail Panel Unveiled at Seven Streets Pocket Park

Get ready to celebrate Balsall Heath this Summer. If you’ve taken a stroll through Seven Streets Pocket Park today, you might have noticed a fantastic new addition. The very first of our community history interpretation boards has officially been installed!

Hywell from the Friends of Seven Streets Park was on hand, watering redcurrant bushes and sunflowers planted below and shared his excitement:

“I think it looks great, fits in well, and it’s good for people to see a bit more about the area.”

This beautiful new panel is just the beginning. It is the first of eight historical interpretation panels popping up across Balsall Heath this year as we gear up for a massive summer of celebration.

Walking Through Time and Balsall Heath

Trails are at the absolute heart of our 2026 celebrations – our Balsall Heath Community Festival includes a Green Trail, a Heritage Trail and a Faith Trail taking place between 3rd and 13th July. There is no better way to experience Balsall Heath than by walking through, and perhaps with local organisations and volunteers so proud of where they live.

For months, the Balsall Heath Local History Society has been deep in the archives, dusting off old photographs and uncovering the fascinating, untold stories of Balsall Heath and the incredible people who have shaped it. Working alongside brilliant local partners, these discoveries have been brought to life in a series of interpretation panels.

They mix community memories, rare achival photos and each board links via QR code to yet more online resources, photography audio, film and more. It is a part of our living history and we intend to maintain and update the signs and the resources as Balsall Heath grows and changes.

Get Ready for a Summer of Celebration!

The trail launch is part of a much bigger wave of excitement. Balsall Heath is getting ready for a spectacular summer as Believe in Balsall Heath launches an unforgettable series of events.

Mark your calendars for July 3rd to 13th! The Balsall Heath Community Festival, celebrating our community with FREE activities and opportunity to share the joy of Balsall Heath!

We Need Your Stories!

History is about our lives and our memories. We want to make sure every voice is heard. Is there a local story, a neighborhood legend, or a piece of history we’ve missed? Let us know or drop us a message. Help us keep the rich story of Balsall Heath growing!

Keep your eyes peeled for the next seven panels appearing in your neighborhood soon. Happy exploring!

Hywell From Friends of Seven Streets with Marcus, Balsall Heath Local History Society

Liz Berry illuminates Women of Balsall Heath

This year marks an incredible, historic milestone for Anawim, an organization that has served as a sanctuary, a lifeline, and a beacon of hope for women in Balsall Heath, is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Anawim is a Hebrew word from the Old Testament meaning ‘poor ones’ who remained faithful to God in times of difficulty or the ‘faithful remnant’, Anawim lift women up, offer them tools for recovery, and wrap them in a supportive community.

Anawim Birthday celebrations marks the beginning of Balsall Heath Community Festival 3rd to 13th July.

A Poetic Tribute

Liz Berry captures the spirit of Anawim’s mission, honouring the unsung, resilient women of Balsall Heath and Birmingham:

Psalm (after Allen Ginsberg’s ‘Psalm III’)

Illuminate all women. Beginning with Balsall Heath, at dawn.
With the ghost of Sister Maisie bringing tea to the sex workers;
with the women in red aprons laying out jigsaws in the nursery;
the cleaners coming home from Corporation Street on the 50,
eyes flickering shut in the heater’s warmth.
Illuminate the nurses leaving for the early shift, windscreen wipers on,
radio crooning; the mothers cutting toast into triangles,
stepping toddlers from their wet pyjamas; the girl making love,
eyes closed, still half-asleep, feeling water rise through her
like the cut being thawed. Illuminate the insomniacs
in their kitchens in the fading dark, night nearly behind them;
the college girls and their sisters, asleep in shared box rooms,
phones in hand, always waiting for his message. Inshallah.
The woman who begs for money at the Middleway junction,
scabs on her wrists and round her mouth like poppies;
the one who dozes in a tent in the bushes, the one so thin
with a little star tattooed on her cheek and her eyebrows painted black.
Illuminate the women praying; the women doing yoga
foreheads to the floor in child’s pose; the old women who lie stiff
with arthritis, remembering, as girls, how frost furred
the inside of the windows, wondering how early they can ring their daughters;
daughters boiling kettles and stripping bedsheets,
turning on the radio to Kath, in her windowless studio:
“Good morning, Birmingham, I’m with you all the way until 6 …”
Illuminate them all. Let the buried Rea be a blast of light.

LIZ BERRY

Liz Berry’s collections of poems include Black Country, 2014, The Republic of Motherhood, 2018, and The Home Child, 2023.

Repair

The fifth theme in the series is Repair: Mending clothing as a way to heal ourselves

Connection

The fourth theme in the series is Connection: Stitching a message to connect with others.

Loss

The third theme in the series is Loss: Wrapping an object as a symbol of loss

Care

The second theme in the series is Care: Making a container for self or group care.

Courage

The first theme in the series is Courage: Making Medals for Everyday Courage.

Urgent call for voting today!

We are an open access community pottery studio, in Balsall Heath, at The Old Printworks. We run courses in the community and offer membership for artists working with clay. We are raising funds to bring a state of the art ceramics studio to the heart of Birmingham.

Deadline is today so please vote here.

Stuff and the Makers of Balsall Heath

We all love stuff. Most of us have plenty of it. When it breaks we can buy more of it –as even my three year old is quick to point out, “We can just get another one from the -unicorn/doll shoe/banana – shop”. Recent shifts and media coverage (such as BBC’s Blue Planet) have made more of us aware of what happens to the stuff we throw away but what can we do when we want to update things?