Walsall Creative Factory

Creative Factory develops and delivers exciting and dynamic arts and heritage projects and events with local communities celebrating local diversity and culture.  Their workshops, outreach work, projects and events have provided a valuable stimulus for creativity and community spirit.

This exhibition celebrates the richness and creativity of a range of groups and individuals who benefit from the use of a safe and supportive workshop environment to meet with guidance and supervision from artists. It also recognises the passion and commitment of the Creative Factory founders, Directors, volunteers and artists who support their wide-ranging programme of activities.

Weekly workshops are currently offered to engage with and support audiences including an under 5’s group, the Autism Friendly ‘Geek’s Club’ for young people aged 11-25, migrant communities particularly from South Asian and Polish heritages, women’s groups, adults with varied abilities and local residents of The Butts.

Creative Factory was originally founded in 2015. In 2018, Deb Slade, Ruth Radcliffe and Maxine Hayward opened up a community arts workshop venue in an empty hairdresser’s shop. During the pandemic, they adapted their programme to support and engage the local community with socially distanced events.  Today, they are thriving with over 100 attendances per typical week and many more when delivering events in the local neighbourhood.  They are currently funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and by the community well-being programme, No Wrong Door.

As well as providing creative opportunities, the sessions and events delivered by Creative Factory, promote well-being, community engagement and neighbourhood development. They actively work to reduce loneliness and isolation of people within the community and to encourage community cohesion and integration.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a lively engagement programme, involving the artists and the communities.  

Creative Factory Community Day

Saturday 18 February 2023, 11am-3pm

Walsall Creative Factory invites the community to join them on this special day at the Gallery.

Free, Drop-in. All welcome.

Creative Factory Community Day

Saturday 20 May 2023, 11am-3pm

Walsall Creative Factory invites the community to join them on this special day at the Gallery. Join us for performances from BDK Dance Crew, with premiere showings of their film Grief commissioned by Home grown (5 mins), learn mendhi with Creative Factory Friday Ladies and decorate a gift box, a sun catcher or a coaster, and make your own room in a box using card and recycled materials. Which room will you make? Your dream bedroom?

Free, Drop-in. All welcome.