This weekend the Slow Boat returned to one of their regular locations, Bumblehole Nature Reserve for a number of activities.

In August 2015 the Slow Boat was taken back to Stourbridge, returning to the Red House Glass Cone for a week of workshops.

Since mid August IYP have been running boat trips with Kick Ash; a programme where young people get involved in projects using drama, music, sculpture and loads of other art forms to explore all aspects of smoking and related issues.

For the last two days we have been running boat trips for the retired painting groups at Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery.

Last weekend, Black Country Voyages made its way to Pelsall North Common in Walsall. It started out as a bright summer day full of painting, drawing and clay making.

Read about Joe’s time at Ikon as an Arts Administrator Intern.

This summer for the Bronze Arts Awards, we had the privilege of working with a fantastic group of students at the Winterbourne House and Gardens.

Last month the Slow Boat returned to Netherton to take part in the Bumblehole Family Fun Day. This was a one off event organised by the very welcoming volunteers of the Bumblehole Conservation Group Visitor Centre.

On Saturday Black Country Voyages made a short journey from Brindley Place, Birmingham to Kings Norton Junction to take part in the 2015 festival to celebrate 200 years of the completion of the Birmingham to Worcester Canal.

Yesterday, 2 July 2015, saw the finale of Ikon Gallery’s 50th anniversary celebrations with a major art auction at Sotheby’s, London. Entitled Artists for Ikon, it achieved £785,375 selling works donated by some of today’s most important artists, all of whom have previously exhibited at the gallery.

On Sunday, the boat went to its second year at Brownhills Canal Festival.

Tuesday 26 & Wednesday 27 May at the International Festival of Glass- The Redhouse Glass Cone, Stourbridge

Saturday 16 May was Black Country Voyages first event showing the Black Apotheca. Jacques Nimki worked with members of the public to discuss his ideas of adding to his archive of herbs and objects whilst we worked around the Black Country canals.

Wednesday 13 May saw the Launch of Black Country Voyages, The Black Apotheca. This was the publics first opportunity to see the newly transformed boat.

On Saturday 13th June the boat was moored up at a new location at Longwood Boat Club for their Canal Festival.

By Emily, Marketing and Press Assistant and Kerry, Visitor Services Co-ordinator

Join us on Saturday 11 April, 10am-2pm for a fun, family-friendly community duck race with prizes for the first 3 ducks over the line and best decorated duck. You can sponsor a duck for £1 on the day or in advance – online, by visiting Ikon Shop or the Canal & River Trust at Peels Wharf in Tamworth or Cambrian Wharf in Birmingham.

We’re thrilled to announce that our exhibition At Home with Vanley Burke is going ahead.

As part of Ikon’s 50th anniversary celebrations we host a special day looking back at the last five decades.

As part of his critically acclaimed exhibition at Ikon Gallery, Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi held a two day masterclass, focusing on his miniature portraits, on 20 & 21 November.

Ikon’s 2015 exhibition, At Home with Vanley Burke, is an ambitious undertaking and will involve moving the entire contents of the artist’s flat in Nechells, north-east Birmingham, to the gallery. Burke’s home is extraordinary – a cabinet of wonderful curiosities.  You can help make the project happen by donating and you’ll receive special rewards in return.​

Thursday 13 – Sunday 16 November 2014, 4-10pm, free

Today we unveiled Gillian Wearing’s new sculpture for Birmingham outside the Library of Birmingham – A Real Birmingham Family

On Thursday 30 October we unveil A Real Birmingham Family, a public sculpture that is the culmination of our four-year project with Turner Prize winning artist Gillian Wearing.