Birmingham’s heritage explored through new exhibition

Birmingham’s Ikon gallery has teamed up with a network of five schools for a new exhibition showcasing artwork from KS1-4 students.

The Future Heritage exhibition marks the culmination of a year-long partnership between Ikon Gallery and Ark’s Birmingham Schools, connecting hundreds of pupils with professional artists, creative workshops, gallery visits and hands-on learning experiences.

The exhibition called Future Heritage will be showcased from 2 to 11 October at Ark Boulton, Ark Kings, Ark St Alban’s, Ark Tindal and Ark Victoria.

In hosting artist residencies, by Niki Gandy, Jo Gane, Nessa Grimes and Hazel Tomlinson, Ark students explored themes of identity, place, history and the natural environment.

The resulting artworks reflect Birmingham's rich cultural heritage and young people’s creative engagement with the city's stories, landscapes and communities.

Working with pupils from Ark Tindal Primary Academy, Nessa Grimes facilitated the creation of ceramic artworks inspired by local wildlife and biodiversity.

At Ark Boulton Academy, Niki Gandy and Jo Gane staged a student-led investigation into Birmingham's place in the history of photography.

Hazel Tomlinson led Ark Kings Academy students on a journey into Birmingham's medieval past through the story of the 12th century Deritend Jug.

The exhibition at Ikon Gallery brings together artworks created by students from all three residencies, alongside works produced by pupils from Ark St Alban’s Academy and Ark Victoria Academy.

By presenting the development of ideas alongside the finished pieces, the exhibition highlights the transformative impact of visual arts engagement, demonstrating how creative experiences can help young people connect with their city, build confidence, develop new skills and discover alternative ways of learning.

Will Kew, education producer at Ikon, said: “This partnership has created meaningful connections between learning in the classroom and creative experiences in the gallery.

“Working closely with artists and the Ikon Education Team, young people have been encouraged to explore their ideas, develop new skills and take genuine ownership of the creative process.

“The exhibition is the result of a truly collaborative partnership, with students playing an active role not only in creating the artworks but also in shaping how they are presented. Their voices, perspectives and experiences are at the heart of the project.”