JQ OPEN STUDIOS
29th – 30th JULY

For the third year running Jewellery Quarter makers, designers and artists will be opening their workshop and studio doors and inviting you to come inside and see what they do.

Running alongside the Jewellery Quarter Festival, this year’s line-up will include 3 art galleries, a mini film festival, a new lighting range and three breweries alongside jewellery designer makers demonstrating their craft.

Local tapestry maker Tina Francis is the Jewellery Quarter Open Studios Coordinator and is responsible for curating the trail every year: “Whilst the Jewellery Quarter is famous for its metal trades, there’s a growing number of makers that are starting to call Jewellery Quarter their home. The makers benefit from working in a vibrant community which is always wanting to help each other with advice and support.

“Birmingham used to be called the City of 1000 Trades and whilst we may no longer be able to make that claim a visit to Jewellery Quarter Open Studios will demonstrate that craftsmanship is alive and well in the UK’s second city.”

The 2017 Open Studios map will be available to download in early July.

For more details, please visit the dedicated blog www.jqopenstudios.wordpress.com or contact Tina Francis tina@tinafrancis.co.uk

Follow @JQOpenStudios

VIDEOS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

GETTING HERE

The Jewellery Quarter is easy to get to with a 20-minute walk or 7-minute tram ride from the city centre (£1 adult single or 0.90p using a Swift Card). You can also catch a bus, drive or walk here. The Golden Square runs the length of Warstone Lane, nestled underneath the Big Peg Office building. Find out more

ACCESSIBILITY

Both squares are accessible to wheelchair users but some venues may not be. Golden Square is equipped with ramps accessible to wheelchair users on both Vyse Street & Warstone Lane. St Paul’s Square is naturally sloped although visitors should be advised that due to it having its original cobble stones, it might cause problems for wheelchair users. Businesses on the Open Studios trail may not be accessible to some visitors, we advise that you check the access information in bold underneath each participating business on the Open Studios Map which is released closer to the weekend.

The JQ stations is equipped with a lift taking you to street level. Please note that some streets do not have a drop curb making it difficult for wheelchairs. The JQBID is committed to making the JQ Festival, as well as the Quarter itself, an accessible destination for all. Whether you visit us over the Festival weekend or not, we would like to hear your views on accessibility in the area. Please help us by emailing info@jqdt.org or calling 0121 233 2814 and providing feedback.

JQ Festival Launch

The Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQBID) welcomed guests to Argentea Gallery for the launch of the Jewellery Quarter Festival 2017.

JQBID Director Luke Crane and JQ Open Studios Coordinator Tina Francis provided an overview of this year’s festival and what visitors can expect over the weekend. View the images from the event here.