Skip To Main Content
Grand Union
What’s on
An image of a few figures huddled together under warm light, carefully inspecting a series of objects in a wood-clad studio space. A row of odd, multicoloured books runs along a wood partition, decorated with small, paper prints. The space, open plan and airy, is partially painted with a warm, sunny yellow. The floor is concrete, with soft signs of industrial use.
An image of a few figures huddled together under warm light, carefully inspecting a series of objects in a wood-clad studio space. A row of odd, multicoloured books runs along a wood partition, decorated with small, paper prints. The space, open plan and airy, is partially painted with a warm, sunny yellow. The floor is concrete, with soft signs of industrial use.

Image by Nina Bailie, 2023.

December Digbeth First Friday: Christmas Sales & Open Studios with Digbeth Carolling by Infinite Opera

5 December 20255:30–8:30pm

Join us on Friday, 5 December for a very festive Digbeth First Friday at Grand Union gallery. We’ll be open 5.30-8.30pm

To usher in this special season, we’ll be celebrating the end to a fantastic year with open studios, artist-led workshops, artwork sales, cakes and bakes from the Minerva Group, and theatrical Digbeth caroling lead by experimental opera company Infinite Opera.

The Minerva Group have been busy baking lots of tasty treats and setting up their shop – so swing by and get yourself a bargain on handmade ceramics and teas. All proceeds from this sale will go into supporting the Growing Project!

Lots of our studio artists will be opening their doors so you can see behind the scenes of our active art-making community. Come along and chat to Farwa Moledina, David Rowan, Stuart Whipps, Roo Dhissou, Maryam Aisha, Mads Washbrook, Modern Clay, Courtenay Welcome, Sireen Martin, Elle Macmillan, and Simon Bloor in and around their studio spaces.
⁠
We will also have a centralised shop in Modern clay where you can pick up some gorgeous artworks made by our Studio artists, publications, Grand Union editions and lots, lots more– perfect Christmas present material!

And finally, Infinite Opera will be doing pop up Digbeth Carolling – meet up at 6.30pm in the corridor outside Modern Clay to learn new songs, including ‘Digbeth Carol’ and ‘There’s Grit in the Air’, before taking off to spread Christmas Cheer around Minerva Works!
⁠

5:30-8:30pm
Grand Union gallery

Have a crack at some festive hand-crafting with artists Natasha Taheem and Matt Westbrook, who will each be leading free, drop-in block printing workshops throughout the evening. Then strike a pose in the Christmas Photobooth with Greg Milner and Sarah Hamilton Baker!

6:30pm onwards
Outside Modern Clay

Sing original Digbeth carols with Birmingham-based opera company Infinite Opera, beginning with a short warm up and rehearsal before taking to the streets of Digbeth.

Infinite Opera will prepare few short songs that we will merrily sing whilst visiting the open galleries and exhibitions including: ‘There is Grit in the Air’, ‘We’ve Heard it’s an Upcoming Area’, and ‘Digbeth Carol’

5:30-8:30pm
Grand Union studios, Unit 15 and 17

Explore the depths of Grand Union’s artists’ studios with artists including Farwa Moledina, David Rowan, Stuart Whipps, Roo Dhissou, Maryam Aisha, Mads Washbrook, Modern Clay, Courtenay Welcome, Sireen Martin, Elle Macmillan, and Simon Bloor.

5:30-8:30pm
Grand Union gallery

Treat yourself and grab a slice from our festive bake sale, with cakes kindly made by the Minerva Group here at Grand Union, alongside kitchenware created with The Growing Project.

5:30-8:30pm
Modern Clay, Unit 17

Get your hands on some last minute gifts, from postcard prints to limited editions, by Grand Union studio holders and members of co-operative studio Modern Clay.

To learn more about Digbeth First Friday, click here to visit their website. →