Category: Arts

No water, but going swimmingly

We’re really pleased to share the news that the Swimming Without Water exhibition will be going ahead, starting next week.

The collective of artists will be using the currently unused Gala Pool at Moseley Road Baths to display their artwork.  (Apologies, we’ve just found out that it’s actually going to be in the area directly outside the Gala Pool!) Their aim is to bring together their contemporary artwork with the space and the audience to create a unique experience.

‘The artists, Debby Akam, Flora Gare and Tim Skinner, are working to bind their works with this glorious historic building, to re-enliven it; to repopulate it through an engagement with the building and the audience (swimmers and non-swimmers from Moseley Road and beyond) through the medium of art.’

The exhibition begins on 18th February and will run until 15th March.  All are welcome – a great chance to experience some interesting new art as well as step through the doors of Moseley Road Bath’s much-loved Gala Pool after years of closure.

Let us know your thoughts!

The Works Winter Salon

The Friends of Moseley Road Baths Committee members are a talented bunch – when we’re not busy planning events, running stalls and talking to the press our members always seem to be doing interesting and creative things.

One such person is Viv Harrison, who has exhibited her art work across the city at events including ArtPride, and now at ‘The Works Winter Salon’ which showcases fine art from the holders of The Works Artist Studios.  Have a look at Viv’s website to see a selection of her drawing, illustration, prints and photography.  The exhibition runs at The Works from 8th December until 13th December, and many of the artworks will be available to purchase.

Victoria Baths

Every so often a newsletter pops through my door from the lovely people at Manchester’s gorgeous Victoria Baths.  The building, winner of the BBC’s 2003 ‘Restoration’ programme is a real jewel in the crown of British municipal architecture, and it’s always fantastic and inspiring to receive updates on their work.

In the last few years the Baths have been transformed from a derelict building to a busy heritage visitor attraction.  Last year members of Friends of Moseley Road Baths were lucky enough to spend the day touring the building and witness the restoration ourselves.  The visit was made particularly exciting as the facade of the whole building had recently been completely restored to its former glory, complete with lovely wrought iron fencing, cleaned up terracotta and beautifully restored stained glass windows.  The care and attention given to each little detail is staggering.  It’s well worth having a look at their website to find out how such an immense amount of work has been successfully achieved.

Even if you can’t make the journey up to Manchester yourselves for one of the many open days or arts events that are now taking place there, the chances are that you will have already seen the building without being aware of it.  Amongst other hit TV shows, various parts of the building were used to film the 70s spoof cop show ‘Life on Mars’ and more recently it has formed the backdrop to ‘Casualty 1909’.

Manchester’s Victoria Baths really shows how relevant and exciting our community buildings can be.  Great efforts have been made to get the community through the doors, to collect oral histories and to maintain the integrity of the building.  However, that’s not to say that it’s been an easy ride – all of the people who have worked so hard to get to this stage are to be commended.  Well done, and all the best for the next stages of restoration!

Swimming Without Water

We’re very pleased to announce that a very talented group of artists have successfully been granted Arts Council funding for an art project, called ‘Swimming Without Water’ at Moseley Road Baths, in our very own Gala Pool!

The group are anxious to make use of the space, raising awareness of that part of the building and showcasing their own work against the backdrop of the gorgeous Edwardian Pool.  Artists Flora Gare, Debbie Akam and Tim Skinner will  be working in the Baths and within the local community to create their work.  More information on the project will soon appear on their website – http://swimmingwithoutwater.org/

We’ll be keeping you updated on the project.  Exciting times!

Flickrmeet at Moseley Road Baths

A couple of months ago the Birmingham Flickrmeet Group, decided to turn their attention to Moseley Road Baths.  The group, which meets monthly at various places of interest around the City took some absolutely fantastic photos showing many places in the building which are off-limits to the public.

Photo by Emma (EditorialGirl)
Photo of Laundry Room by Emma (editorialgirl)

It’s absolutely crucial that people get involved in documenting the state of the building, not only because it’s such an interesting building with unique features such as the laundry room (pictured, thanks to Emma (editorialgirl)) and slipper baths, but because it’s important that we highlight the criminal neglect of the baths and show just how much potential this beautiful building has.

You can view all the Flickr photos of Moseley Road Baths here.  Don’t forget to get in touch with us if you have any photos that you would like to share with Friends of Moseley Road Baths!  If this has whetted your appetite then remember to have a look at our marvellous Virtual Tour site where there are dozens of photos and videos of the building.