Metropolis: Reflections on the modern city @BM_AG

Ever since early hunter-gatherer tribes first sought the protection and benefits of settlements –beginning with Uruk, Eridu, Ur and Çatalhöyük – towns and cities the world over have offered a rich source of fascination and inspiration for artists of all disciplines.

David Hancock: Cosplay until 1st June @WolvArtGallery

The work of Manchester based artist David Hancock focuses on youth subcultures and in this latest solo exhibition he focuses on the world of ‘Cosplay’. Short for ‘costume play’ the relative recent craze is one that people have adopted to dress up as characters from various computer games, comic books and films.

Birmingham Rep at 100

In February Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company celebrated its 100th birthday. The dramatic century was marked with a gala performance of Philip Pullman’s I Was A Rat! Following is a celebratory programme of exhibitions, activity days, guided backstage tours, an audio history project and a new website REP100.org which will make the company’s remarkable archives available to the public for the first time.

Bicycle Basket Bazaar – bicycles, creativity and good cheer

This is a super-cute idea and it’s happening at this year’s Faltpack; “The Ministry of Cycles and POD Projects present a unique array of retailers, all cramming their wares into bike-baskets and pannier-racks.”

@ikongallery 15 years in Brindleyplace

It’s hard to recall the derelict space of Birmingham’s Brindleyplace compared to the destination it is now. Packed with offices and eateries it is home to one of the city’s favourite venues, Ikon Gallery and has become the must-visit place when aiming to impress friends from out of town. To celebrate 15 years since opening its doors to the public in its new home in Oozells Street School, Ikon presents 2 events to take you back in time and look at the history of the area.

Thrift Radiates Happiness

The imposing structure of the Birmingham Municipal Bank on Broad Street has stood overlooking the city as new buildings have emerged all around. Venues, bars, restaurants, hotels and office blocks have all sprung up around it over the years whilst the bank has sat redundant and unloved, until now.

Zed Nelson: ‘Love Me,’ Until 8 June @WolvArtGallery

Beauty. It’s a big brassy world. It’s a 53.7 billion dollar world and it’s a world which is extensively and cross-culturally explored by Zed Nelson in his latest exhibition  Love Me.