The Great Walsall Festival Of Good Things

Join in celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Garman Ryan Collection with an exciting event capturing what’s great about Walsall today!

There's something for everyone to join in with:

Inspired by the new Black Country Stories exhibition opening on the 4 October, Magnum photographer Martin Parr has documented lots of people from around the Black Country and their leisure pursuits. Plus Martin Parr book-signing.

Do you grow your own veg? Would you like to show it at The New Art Gallery Walsall? Come and see the photo of the enormous leek on show as part of the Martin Parr photography show.

Show off your baking skills!

Discover the Garman Ryan Collection

Edible Art.

Open Charity Abseil from the roof of The New Art Gallery Walsall!

Live music from Walsall Gilbert & Sullivan Society and Walsall Male Voice Choir

David Calcutt’s, The life and times of the Tat Man, as seen at Walsall Museum with award-winning Storyteller Anna Conomos. Performance at 2pm-4pm. This show is then touring to the Wolverhampton Arena

Arts and Crafts Fair

Village Show Competition - the best fruit, vegetables and cakes

Festival of Flowers - floral displays on the gallery windowsills on Floors 1 and 2.

Open Studio - Meet and chat with the current artists in residence, Strange Ways.

Art talks - Learn about the story behind the Garman Ryan Collection and the Great Burstead Festival at 11:30am am and 3:30pm. There are short collection introductions every hour from 11:00am.

Creative workshops for everyone:

Make your own bird feeder with Walsall Council’s Countryside Services Team
Try your hand at Calligraphy and make a bookmark for your own archive!
Learn tips on flower arranging
Make your own Sugarcraft rose to take home
Artist Claudette Chambers gets you involved in her work a Sense of Black Community and gives you a chance to make your own as a card