The thing about Digbeth is the variety of smells; greasy food, but mainly chemical smells like diesel, oil and paint. It's a quietly busy area with businesses ranging from graphic design studios to limousine rental places. You walk down a street not quite sure what you're going to find and then not sure what you actually have found. On several occasions I was sure I had found an art space of some kind but never found out how to get in or what it really was.
My full, 2 day exploration of Digbeth came about because I felt I had not done enough when I was still living in B'ham. When the chance came to go back, I also decided to return to Digbeth. I knew the Custard Factory well, it has been a favourite place mine for years. It's the old Bird's Custard factory turned into a complex with shops, art studions, galleries, a theatre, places to eat and its own radio station Rhubarb, amongst other things. Every time I go back something new and really cool has sprung up. This time I noticed the Creative Open Workshop (link below) seemed to have grown and there was a shop selling paints with a lad hanging out on a couch inside drawing amazing pictures with felt tips. Truly, the Custard Factory is an exciting place.
After checking out the Custard Factory I used my art map from the Digbeth Is Good website to find more hidden gems, more on those tomorrow.
LINK ATTACK:
Digbeth is Good - Get the map and follow the art trail
Studio 4 - Brilliant Gallery and Shop showcasing the best in local art talent and they offer free mags like Vice.
Creative Open Workshops - craft tutorials and a great craft shop, fairs regularly.
