Coming Out – Sexuality, Gender & Identity at The BMAG
Featuring works by the art super-giants Andy Warhol, Sarah Lucas and Francis Bacon to name a few, this ground-breaking new exhibition will be opening its doors with a public launch in partnership with SHOUT festival that promises life drawing with a drag queen, performance art and activities. Marking 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of male homosexuality in England and Wales and putting LGBT+ stories in the spotlight, the BMAG’s new exhibition also offers a rare glimpse of Grayson Perry’s ‘Claire’s Coming Out Dress’. Events linked to the event include soap carving, rainbow storytelling, tours and drag make-up art. See www.birminghammuseums.org.uk for more details.

Launch event: Sat 2 Dec Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH. 1-4pm. Exhibition runs from Sat 2 Dec – Sat 15 Apr 2018, Mon – Thu, Sat & Sun 10am-5pm, Fri 10.30am-5pm. Free. www.birminghammuseums.org.uk

Digbeth First Friday ft. Club Integral, Grand Union Xmas Party, SYN sirens & sexuality + more.
A creative explosion of arts events, happenings, exhibitions and eats featuring all sorts of fun, trouble and after-hours adventures in expression. See here for full details.
Fri 1st Dec. Various venues across Digbeth. 12pm – late. Mostly Free.

Exile and incarceration at IKON gallery
Two new, starkly contrasting exhibitions from Thomas Bock and Edmund Clarke launch this month at the magnificent IKON. Thomas Bock’s work centres around his time spent in exile to Australia and reflects a subtle insight into our colonial past through his depiction of the Aboriginal people. Clarke’s exhibition takes inspiration from his time as artist in residence at HMP Grendan – a therapeutic prison where prisoners are required to take responsibility for their offence. Whilst not a victim of incarceration like Bock, Clarke’s work is heavily inspired by the lives of those around him an his work grapples with the themes of censorship, security and control.
Wed 6 Dec – Sun 11 Mar. 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2HS. Open Tues-Sun 11am-5pm, closed Mon. Free.
www.ikon-gallery.org

Stereohype: That Healin’ Feelin at The mac
With the timeless links between mental health and creativity being never more pertinent than they are now, Stereohype will be displaying this relationship with an evening of innovative live performance and music at The mac. Performers will include talent such as local vocal innovator Call Me Unique, Trademark Blud and StereoHype DJs. Stereohype is a Midlands based organisation which works with artists, filmmakers, musicians and health professionals from African and Caribbean backgrounds to help combat the stigma which surrounds mental health. ‘That Healin’ Feelin’’ promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking night full of fresh sounds and new talent. See more here
Thu 7 Dec. mac Birmingham, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH. 7pm. £5 (£3 concessions). 16+.www.macbirmingham.co.uk

Winter Craft Market at IKON
With Christmas only 11 days away, what better place to do some much-needed shopping before the panic kicks in? Instead of squeezing yourself through the busy crowds of New Street, why not treat yourself to a cosy, relaxed evening at one of the cities art galleries. As well as an opportunity to sample some of the fineries that the Midland’s best crafters have to offer, there will be plenty of music and festive treats to be on offer at Yorks – The Ikon’s café. Perhaps once you’re done shopping, you could even pop your head round the new exhibition too.
Thu 14th Dec. 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2HS. 4-8pm. Free.
www.ikon-gallery.org

Digbeth Arts Market Christmas Edition
Digbeth hosts its annual funky and festive Christmas Arts market to make snapping up the ultimate Christmas gift a charming reality versus high street hell.. Expect street food, street art and music alongside stalls hosted by some of the city’s best creatives with wares as varied and wondrous as the creators themselves. One of Mr A. Singh‘s beautiful peacock canvases and some silver seashells please – if you’re asking.
Sat 9th Dec. Unit 2 Lower Trinity St, Digbeth, B9 4AG. 12.30pm-1930pm. Free.
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