I LOVE the art that is showcased here. As a base for local artists, you'll see work by the likes…read moreof Lucy McLauchlan displayed alongside work by more unusual artists such as Jamie Hewlett of Gorrillaz fame. The gallery itself is tiny, but the walls are always full from floor to ceiling with beautiful works available to buy. They tend to show a lot of streetart inspired work, or more print-based pieces which helps to keep costs lower than if they were selling original oils. Alongside the framed works there's always a selection of unframed options available, and small pieces displayed in cabinets which accompany the exhibitions - anything from cross-stitched computer programmer jewellery to mini toys and zines. If you're visiting the Custard Factory and want to grab a few little presents for friends, this is always a good place to pop into.

The custard factory is renowned for its creative fashion, arts and culture so it only seems fitting…read morethat the Studio4 Gallery is situated here. Although only a small space, you'll be surprised by the amount of art work available to view and buy. When you first walk in you will be overwhelmed by the variety of modern art available. From the floor to the ceiling you will find art by a varied collection of British artists, some recognised and some undiscovered which makes the shopping experience even more special and intriguing. There's lots of cool what I call 'poster art', which would look great in any swanky city centre apartment of stylish home alike. There really is something for everyone from classic remakes to fresh and funky one-offs, next time you're in Digbeth I recommend you go and check it out.

Time Art Gallery in Solihull is a great addition to the Touchwood Shopping centre!…read more Located on the ground floor between Superdry and H&M, they offer a superb service and inspiring eye catching artwork on display. The images are all hand painted and then reproduced as prints or onto a canvass, and the genres cover sectors such as movies, music, cities and even a Volkswagen inspired range. The paintings are of such high quality, you have to look again! They have everything from Bob Marley to Madonna, Oasis to The Wanted, Amy Whinehouse to the Beattles. I liked the large canvass of the Joker. The great exceptional service which they offer includes having your own photo reproduced onto a canvass, from £20 for a 10"x10" upto a large 20"x40". You can email your picture in ( info@timeart.co.uk or adztimeart@gmail.com ), send it via text, MMS, take in a cd or dvd, or even an actual photo for them to scan in! They'll advise on the best suitable size depending on the quality of your image, and the canvass is produced to such a high quality with mounts, I was very pleased with my pictures. Also on display are paintings produced by local artists of Moulin Rouge, Paris, Butterflies, poppies etc hand painted directly onto canvass which were stunning! They currently have a sale on of upto 50% off for canvass printing, and they are usually ready within an hour. So what are you waiting for?....

A very well maintained gallery - there is always good quality & interesting art available with a…read moregood rotation of works available. The staff are very friendly, knowledgable & helpful and a warm welcome always awaits, this gallery doesn't feel stuffy unlike some I have been into in other towns.

Home & garden store, Local Art and Sculpture Gallery, Garden Design studio, Garden and Homeware,…read moreGifts and Plants, First class light refreshment facilities. Situated on an A426 between Rugby and Lutterworth, the calm within is amazing and the wealth of gift ideas and quality goods for home and garden. Visit their website and read about the history of the farm and, in particular the barn itself? It's an education. An absolute must, and my main reason for visiting regularly, is the refreshment area. It really is sublime. There is a small seating area right opposite the counter which, in the colder months, has a log burning fire. There is a larger and very comfortable seating area in an upstairs lounge with mixed seating.sofas, armchairs, tables.another log burning fire which is regularly attended to. Sink into one of the cozy chairs and watch the traffic pass yet at the same time feeling, as if perhaps, you are somewhere else? An impressive array of homemade cakes etc., awaits your attention when you place your order which, even if you choose to take a seat in the upstairs lounge, will be brought to you by a member of the pleasant staff. For a light lunch you may try their delcious homemade soup with a roll? I would be happy to recommend this establishment to my female contacts as a place for the unaccompanied traveller to stop and rest a while in a spotlessly clean and safe environment. Worth a detour!!

Garden store with a small cafe, the cafe has some lovely cakes and drinks. The owner is very…read morefriendly. The shop is full of interesting products which I love to fill my home with

Grand Union is an artists' studios and gallery space located in the Minerva Works complex in…read moreDigbeth. At the heart of Birmingham's artistic community, Grand Union hosts a programme of free public exhibitions, talks, workshops, screenings and other events throughout the year. The artists' studios are home to some of the best-known Birmingham-based artists and are opened up periodically so that people can visit and get a glimpse into the artists' individual working spaces. The Minerva Works complex which houses Grand Union has become a real hub of activity during Digbeth First Fridays. Also located in this complex are Vivid Projects, Centrala and Stryx, which all have busy programmes. There's also a printers, graphic designers and an art supplies shop.

Grand Union is an art collective that has 8 studios and a project space for exhibitions and events…read more As I share a studio in the same building (Minerva Works) I often see them putting together projects and while some of the exhibitions they have might seem a bit left field they are certainly trying something new and bringing diversity to the industrial backdrop of Digbeth. As it is a non profit organisation they are always keen to have people help out. If you would like to get involved you should check out their website and drop them a line. It is definitely something different and interesting and I recommend supporting it even if everything they do might not be to your taste.

I cannot speak highly enough about Park View Gallery! Over a…read morefew years I have had a number of pictures framed by Roger and have always been thrilled with the results. He instinctively knows which colours and frames will be best for your picture and, while he offers advice, he never puts pressure to influence your choice. He is always welcoming and helpful and I look forward to my visits. I am amazed at how his frames enhance what I have produced. It's hard to beat having your work professionally framed by someone with Roger's skill and expertise. It's worth every penny! I have just left two more pictures for him and can't wait to go and pick them up in a couple of weeks time!

Park View Gallery is a picture framers and gallery on the corner of Avenue and Vicarage Road…read more Not only does Park View offer a bespoke picture framing service but also exhibits the work of local and national artists in a wide range of mediums including paintings, photography, jewellery and ceramics. My family have used Park View for a couple of hanging and framing jobs and even had a piece of jewellery mounted, which highlighting Roger's versatility. At the most recent exhibition the work of Jon Jones, a portrait painter was shown and was in fact the artists first solo exhibition since 2008 and his first in Birmingham for four years. His work was striking and gave a real sense of the lives of his subjects. Park View is expanding with a cafe planned by owner Roger, so if you have never visited then there's all the more reason to do so.

I think the best word to describe the Eastside Projects is probably esoteric - which obviously…read moremakes it a toughie to write about. However, it's a lovely space and a lovely concept so I will try...Based just down the road from the altogether different Air nightclub and not far from The Custard Factory, Eastside Projects is an exhibition space that hosts and commisions experimental contemporary art exhibitions as well as a kind of collective that looks at ways in which art may be useful to society. Or as their website and rather beautiful user manual (copies of which are available in the gallery and are well worth picking up) puts it "EP is a questioning structure that in turn produces more questions and also, of course, possible answers. Our ambition is to incorporate the methodologies of art-making at all scales and functions of the organisation.We believe in working collaboratively towards change and do so to support the cultural growth of Birmingham. We do not make art for the public. We are the public that makes art. The artist run space is not a stop gap. The artist run space is a public good." As well as regular exhibitions they hold lunch time talks and are one of the stops on the Art Bus route - they also have an amazing office - a piece of artwork originally commisioned for the 2007 Venice Biennale and created by Heather & Ivan Morison and that has been transformed into a space that holds a desk, shelving and a kitchen.

I often go to the Custard Factory to for a range of events or to buy vintage clothing. So when I…read morefirst heard about the Eastside Project, which is around the block, I was excited to go and view it as everything about this little corner of Birmingham oozes creativity and independence. This large exhibition space has been utilized by a group of artists to offer people like you and me an opportunity to experience contemporary art at its finest. What I like most about this place is that it continually encourages both new and old artists and creative people with a vision, to experiment with new ideas and get involved with utilizing the exhibition space. Alongside the art exhibitions, they also run a number of events which tend be an opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing. Definitely worth checking out if you're passionate about making your mark on the industry.