Handsworth Park Arts Trail

Here is some of the main works of public art that you can find on the Handsworth Park Arts Trail, and some details on each piece. In no particular order. We recommend catching the no 16 bus from Birmingham City Centre to do the trail, find the pieces. Here and Now by Tim Tolkien installed in 2023. The Benjamin Zephaniah mural by I Create Not Destroy (Bunny Bread) unveiled in 2024.

Handsworth Arts Trail

SS Journey

It was sculpted in 2017 by Luke Perry as part of the Handsworth Arts Trail. Near the large lake.

dndimg alt="SS Journey" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth%20Park%20SS%20Journey%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Here and Now bench

Commissioned for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Resembles a fairground waltzer car. Installed August 2023, artist was Tim Tolkien.

dndimg alt="Here and Now" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Here%20and%20Now%20bench%20Handsworth%20Park%2020042024%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Here and Now figures

Commissioned for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Installed August 2023, artist was Tim Tolkien. Part of the same work as the Here and Now bench. Near a path opposite Handsworth Cricket Club.

dndimg alt="Here and Now figures" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Here%20and%20Now%20figures%20Handsworth%20Park%2020042024%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hands and Minds Speak

Located on an island within the small lake at Handsworth Park. It was sculpted in Lawson Oyekan and made in 2010.

dndimg alt="Hands and Minds Speak" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hands%20Minds%20Speak%20Handsworth%20Park%2020042024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Pyramid Tower by Veranda Stories

Located half way between the Sons of Rest building and small lake / pond at Handsworth Park. It was by the visual artists Pauline Bailey & Ola Brown, of Veranda Stories. It had many mandala patterns, which was then laser cut. It was designed with the Women's Sewing Group and Saathi House. Made in 2017.

dndimg alt="The Pyramid Tower" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pyramid%20Tower%20Handsworth%20Park%2020042024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Anchor

Located within the Handsworth Park Community Garden, near Holly Road. The artist was Katie Sturridge.  A symbol of the Birmingham Assay Office. Made in 2015.

dndimg alt="The Anchor" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The%20Anchor%20KS%20Handsworth%20PCG%2020042024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Sons of Rest Mosaic

Located next to the Handsworth Park Community Gardens. The artist wasClaire Cotterill. Based on stained glass windows found in the Sons of Rest building in Handsworth Park. The mosaic was made in honour of the centenary of the end of WW1 in 2018.

dndimg alt="The Sons of Rest Mosaic" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sons%20of%20Rest%20Mos%20Handsworth%20Park%2020042024.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Handsworth Revolution: Steel Pulse

The large mural at the entrance to Handsworth Leisure Centre was commissioned as part of Punch Records’ BASS Festival’s celebration of 50 years of Reggae and coincided with National Album Day and Black History Month.

dndimg alt="Steel Pulse" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Steel%20Pulse%20Handsworth%20LC%20(Sep%202019)%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Benjamin Zephaniah mural

Located on a wall at the Sons of Rest Building in Handsworth Park. Mural in tribute to the late Benjamin Zephaniah (1958 - 2023), a Birmingham born poet. By I Create Not Destroy, aka Bunny Bread. It was unveiled on the 14th April 2024. Commissioned by the Black Heritage Walks Network (BHWN).

dndimg alt="Benjamin Zephaniah mural at the Sons of Rest building in Handsworth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BZ%20SoR%20Handsworth%20Park%2020042024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

At least two of the painted bears can be still found in Handsworth Park, years after the trail had ended.

Sun Guardian Bear

It was created by Goosensi (Mat Barber) working with Friends of Handsworth Park and the Handsworth Community. In the Handsworth Park Community Garden.

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park Big Sleuth" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth%20Park%20Big%20Slueth%202017%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Well Active Bear

It was created by Mark Copplestone and Jennie Saunders working with Birmingham Wellbeing Service. Seen outside of the Handsworth Wellbeing Centre. Also called Handsworth Leisure Centre.

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park Big Sleuth" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth%20Park%20Big%20Slueth%202017%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz on Kent Street at Sidewalk in Southside

The Dorothy street art popped up unexpectedly after Easter 2024, on Kent Street, with a ruby red slipper on the line above. On some doors of the Sidewalk gay bar. But by chance The Wizard of Oz will be playing at the Birmingham Hippodrome in June 2024. Is it Joe, as it's not Banksy? Photos from Birmingham We Are's Jack Babington and Elliott Brown. Who run our Instagram page.

The Wizard of Oz at the Birmingham Hippodrome from 11th to 16th June 2024, starring Craig Revel Horwood as The Wicked Witch of the West.

The owners of Sidewalk did not expect to find Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz on their building, on a pair of doors. It quickly got into the media, is it a Banksy? No. Who is it by? It is by Joe Lycett? We are not sure yet. Probably not by Disney B32. Perspex has been put over the artwork to protect it. There is also a pair of ruby red slippers on the phone line wire above Kent Street in the Gay Village (Southside BID).

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Kent%20St%20Jack%2006042024%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Kent%20St%20Jack%2006042024%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Kent%20St%20Jack%2006042024%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Kent%20St%20Jack%2006042024%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Kent%20St%20Jack%2006042024%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Jack Babington | Pro Photography Pictures

You will find Dorothy is you make your way to Hurst Street in Southside, when you find Sidewalk, then turn onto Kent Street. She is on the doors. This visit during Storm Kathleen so it was trying to rain, and was a bit windy, like Dorothy flying away in the house from Kansas to the Land of Oz!

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Sidewalk%20Kent%20St%2007042024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Sidewalk%20Kent%20St%2007042024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Sidewalk%20Kent%20St%2007042024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Dorothy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dorothy%20WoO%20Sidewalk%20Kent%20St%2007042024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown | Ell R Brown 82

Go here for our post on Facebook: Dorothy FB. And on Instagram: Dorothy Insta.

Replacing the Great Charles Street Queensway footbridge: improving the link from the Colmore to JQ BID's

There is plans from Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands (who hopes to be re-elected for a 3rd term in May 2024) to replace the footbridge over Great Charles Street Queensway. It starts near Church Street, Colmore BID, to Ludgate Hill, Jewellery Quarter BID, then the walk up to St Paul's Square. Has ramped steps on both sides. And the glass building one side full of graffiti.

This walk from Church Street to Ludgate Hill was on Easter Sunday, 31st March 2024 (starting from Coffee #1 Newhall Street and ending at St Paul's Square).

We start at the Colmore BID, from Church Street Square, the view to the rickety footbridge over Great Charles Street Queensway, the view up to Ludgate Hill, St Paul's Square and St Paul's in the Jewellery Quarter.

dndimg alt="Great Charles Street Queensway footbridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Great%20Charles%20St%20Qway%20footbridge%2031032024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Prunus Cistena Purple leaf cherry blossom seen in Church Street Square. Next walk down Church Street, and enter the footbridge at Great Charles Street Queensway, via Britannia House.

dndimg alt="Great Charles Street Queensway footbridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Great%20Charles%20St%20Qway%20footbridge%2031032024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading down Church Street, the Great Charles Street Footbridge is on the left. Up Ludgate Hill you can see the spire of St Paul's Church in St Paul's Square.

dndimg alt="Great Charles Street Queensway footbridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Great%20Charles%20St%20Qway%20footbridge%2031032024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

After crossing the footbridge, and walking past the construction sites on Ludgate Hill, you get to this classic view from St Paul's Square.

dndimg alt="Great Charles Street Queensway footbridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Great%20Charles%20St%20Qway%20footbridge%2031032024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

See Phyllis Nicklin's 1960s photo for a comparison of Ludgate Hill.

dndimg alt="Ludgate Hill" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ludgate%20Hill%201960s%20PN%20UoB.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

We have put together this 1960 and 2024 comparison of Ludgate Hill from St Paul's Square. Now seven bollards and a heritage lamppost instead of six bollards and a heritage lamppost. Plus two bins. And the pavement has been widened in the last 64 years.

dndimg alt="Ludgate Hill" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ludgate%20Hill%20SPS%201960%202024.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The zoom in from St Paul's Square down Ludgate Hill shows you that Great Charles Street Queensway has split the city in half since it opened in the early 1970s. You can see Church Street Square on the other side in the Colmore BID, as well as the Hotel du Vin further up Church Street (the former Birmingham and Midland Eye Hospital of 1883).

dndimg alt="Great Charles Street Queensway footbridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Great%20Charles%20St%20Qway%20footbridge%2031032024%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Head out to have a look at St Paul's Church with daffodils, then leave the Jewellery Quarter via Livery Street, walk down Constitution Hill and Old Snow Hill. No trams at St Paul's Tram Stop, but walk up the steps to St Chads Tram Stop, then walk past the Snowhill estate offices, and back to Snow Hill Station Square and Colmore Row.

dndimg alt="St Paul's Square" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St%20Pauls%20JQ%20daffodils%2031032024.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

The Pride of Place Collective

View the article to find out how, together, and with the right tools, community, business and local/regional government can work smarter to nurture and grow all important pride in the places people live in, work in, grow up in and visit.  It's all about collaboration!  Everyone's talking "Pride of Place".  

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 2.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 3.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 4.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 5.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 6.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 7.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 8.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 9.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 10.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 11.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 12.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 13.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 14.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 15.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 16.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 17.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 18.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 19.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 20.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 21.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 22.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 23.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 24.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 25.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 26.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 27.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 28.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 29A.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 30A.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 31.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 32.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 33.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 34.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 35.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 36A.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 37A.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 38B.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 36.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 38.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 39.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 40.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 41.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 42.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 43.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPOP 44.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Our Beating Heart at Snow Hill Station Square

There was a mirror ball heart sculpture thing at Snow Hill Square from the 21st to 23rd March 2024. Lit up between 6:30pm and 10:30pm each evening. On the final evening was a silent disco. Bit hard to photograph after dark with it spinning, especially in zoom in. Wasn't there for long. Train in to see it, then train out back home.

The free pop-up artwork is called Our Beating Heart was created by Studio Vertigo. A Mirror ball installation lit up Birmingham city centre from Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd March 2024, between 6:30pm and 10:30pm each night. Located in Snow Hill Station Square, outside of the Colmore Row entrance to Birmingham Snow Hill Station, and between 1 and 9 Colmore Row.

Lunchtime on Thursday 21st March 2024, a quick look at Our Beating Heart by Studio Vertigo. I popped out from work to get my lunch at Sainsbury's Local, then took a quick few shots on my phone camera.

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Snow%20Hill%20heart%2021032024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Snow%20Hill%20heart%2021032024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A couple of crops of the above photos, wasn't sure if I was going to see it after dark, well not on the first two evenings. And missed an event on the launch evening (Jack Babington and Damien Walmsley got some photos that evening).

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Snow%20Hill%20heart%2021032024%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Snow%20Hill%20heart%2021032024%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A last minute decision on Saturday evening of the 23rd March 2024, to get the train up to Birmingham Snow Hill to see Our Beating Heart. Wasn't there for long, just to get the photos below. Found it a bit hard to focus on the mirror ball heart. Walked around twice. There was a silent disco going on at the time, they had headphones on. With limited trains on the line, I headed back into the station to get a train home. These were around 7:45pm in the evening. They were playing music by the Pet Shop Boys.

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(14).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(15).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Our Beating Heart" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/OBH%20Studio%20V%20Snow%20Hill%20SS%2023032024%20(16).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown