Eastside Projects

This place is GREAT! How have I never come across it before? The Birmingham arts and culture scene is completely buzzing and it’s small, independent galleries like this which really set the city apart. I was invited down to their lunch time gathering for a meeting with Flatpack Festival, and was so glad this place was chosen.
Situated quite a way down Heath Mill Lane (past Air on the opposite side of the road), you might do as I did and keep walking, walking, walking — nearly straight on by! Luckily there was a billboard outside the venue advertising their current exhibition (a Birmingham artist showcase), so I spotted it and wandered inside.
The gallery is in an old warehouse. With lots of great, inspiring and colourful pieces being displayed; it’s worth a visit regularly to see what’s on. I loved the mural pieces and the industrial detail (chains hanging from the ceiling), as well as the positive quotes (pictured) which were a part of one of the pieces on display.
Past the gallery is the café area. Several tables (with tablecloths) are housed underneath an installation of black wood with panels of different coloured stained glass. There is a small counter area where you can grab a cup of tea or coffee with an honesty box system (suggested donation £1). The best thing about this is that you can take your own lunch down! There are so few places you can do this, that it makes it a real stand out place to take your salad/​sandwiches and enjoy them in a great location with great people.
This gallery puts on events for Digbeth First Fridays and many of the other festivals that are around this area. Next time you’re around Heath Mill Lane, do yourself a favour and pop in to check it out!

Eastside Project, one of Digbeth’s finest art and cultural spaces. It offers the Birmingham residents a taste of contemporary art, with a mix of more traditional art work in one open space.
It’s one of those exhibitions/​spaces you should visit because of the creative talent and just to get a glimpse of the city’s diverse artistry. Some of the city’s local artists exhibit their work here.
I give all artists credit because they have to be so naturally talented to produce the work they do. I’ve been invited to the Eastside Project since I joined their newsletter to a couple of their special exhibitions, talks and lunch time sessions but I’ve not managed to go back since I last went.
I would say I really do need to return, as I’d like to show a couple of my friends the place. I know they’d really like it because they are into art.

I often go to the Custard Factory to for a range of events or to buy vintage clothing. So when I first heard about the Eastside Project, which is around the block, I was excited to go and view it as everything about this little corner of Birmingham oozes creativity and independence.
This large exhibition space has been utilized by a group of artists to offer people like you and me an opportunity to experience contemporary art at its finest.
What I like most about this place is that it continually encourages both new and old artists and creative people with a vision, to experiment with new ideas and get involved with utilizing the exhibition space.
Alongside the art exhibitions, they also run a number of events which tend be an opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing. Definitely worth checking out if you’re passionate about making your mark on the industry.

I think the best word to describe the Eastside Projects is probably esoteric — which obviously makes it a toughie to write about. However, it’s a lovely space and a lovely concept so I will try… Based just down the road from the altogether different Air nightclub and not far from The Custard Factory, Eastside Projects is an exhibition space that hosts and commisions experimental contemporary art exhibitions as well as a kind of collective that looks at ways in which art may be useful to society. Or as their website and rather beautiful user manual (copies of which are available in the gallery and are well worth picking up) puts it
«EP is a questioning structure that in turn produces more questions and also, of course, possible answers. Our ambition is to incorporate the methodologies of art-​making at all scales and functions of the organisation. We believe in working collaboratively towards change and do so to support the cultural growth of Birmingham. We do not make art for the public. We are the public that makes art. The artist run space is not a stop gap. The artist run space is a public good.»
As well as regular exhibitions they hold lunch time talks and are one of the stops on the Art Bus route — they also have an amazing office — a piece of artwork originally commisioned for the 2007 Venice Biennale and created by Heather & Ivan Morison and that has been transformed into a space that holds a desk, shelving and a kitchen.

this place is an independent art gallery and exhibition place for local emerging artists, sculptors and designers. It gives artists, painters and designers a place to show off there exhibitions and new ideas and painting. It is a very creative and happening place that has recently opened in the last year. It has many new artists exhibit their work in the last year.