There's been a lot of change this year, especially with the move to our new studio at 212 Space. It's turned out to be a fantastic development for Provide, and being a little off the beaten track has actually made collaboration and production much more fruitful. Although permanent high street retail isn't for us right now, there is still definitely a time and a place for Provide to have a more accessible presence, and today we launched just such a project.

Best of Brum is a 2 month pop up concept in the Great Western Arcade, in which we have brought together a selection of the most exciting emerging artists and designers currently working in and around Birmingham to provide the City with a local, independent shopping destination with Christmas in mind.

Creators with work on show include Joseph Turvey, who recently relocated to Birmingham after 5 years in London; Hades, a women's knitwear brand and fellow 212 Space resident; homeware brand Copper + Solder and Naski, whose incredible, technical bags have been going down a storm since they launched with Provide a couple of months ago.

A first floor gallery above the shop will host a series of events in keeping with the ‘Best of Brum’ theme. Local comedian Joe Lycett will hold a homecoming book signing for his new release ‘Parsnips, Buttered’, and 212 Space co-founders Space Play will reveal five new works in their ‘Brutal Brum’ series. Imbue, once dubbed the Banksy of Brighton but now happily settled in Brum, will also exhibit a collection of his signature controversial artworks, with themes ranging from religion to social media.

We are having an opening party for the pop up on Thursday, 3 November, so please join us then!
Watch this space for more on the project.
Photos by Corina Esquivel.