Well and truly back!

So, after all our International shenanigans, we’re back at the Edge, where we belong… Things are busy, busy, busy here and it’s all hands to the pumps as we bring you loads of fantastic news.

Our three-screen video installation ‘To You From Super Me’ has been launched at the Public in West Bromwich and will be available to view until the 9th of September.  It looks fantastic, beautifully synced and presented and well worth a look if you are in West Brom – worth a visit in itself in our opinion.  We’re really proud of the piece, and all the work by the artists and participants and we’ll be holding the official launch from 6pm on the 20th June, and would love to see you there -

On July 7th we are hosting an event at the Edge as part of our Echoes programme of work. ‘Yard Talk’ will be a fun event, with live music and free Caribbean barbecue, where’ll you’ll be able to hear and share stories of blues parties and all the work and play we used to partake in ‘back in the day’.  With reggae sounds provided by Pekka Don, Bongo Damo and music from Birmingham Community Gospel Choir – and reggae bingo! – this promises to be a fun Summer afternoon in sunny Digbeth (sunshine has been booked and guaranteed).

We’re expanding!  After many years trading, our neighbours, Ready Rads, have moved on from next door, so we’ve taken over Unit 1 – the Friction Empire grows by another 1000 sq ft or so!  Look out for more opportunities for studio and making space in the near future.  We are also pleased to announce that we have received funding from ACE’s ‘Renew’ fund for a feasibility study into making a large-scale capital bid to develop the Edge for the long term as a ‘making and showing’ space for’ Southeastside’ (keeping the innovative and creative district-naming of our beloved council).  We’re partnering with Sustained Theatre on this project, and also sharing the Edge with them – so, welcome home guys!  We’ve got all kinds of ideas for how the space will develop – we’re very keen on keeping the post-industrial beauty of the Edge intact, but we’ll be developing the space to have the facilities for artists to make and try out their work in a comfortable, supportive environment and hope to be able to support many wonderful failures as well as many fantastic triumphs over the next ten years or so – wish us luck!

Opportunity – sadly, due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, our administrator, Marta, has had to hand in her notice and move back to Bulgaria – boo, bloody hoo.  So we are looking for a new arts administrator for thecompany.  If you are keen on our stuff, have amazing admin skills and drive, initiative and the ability to work like a Trojan if called upon, please contact Marta for an application pack.

That’s it for now – skyward ho!