Birmingham City University Students Showcase Southside’s Cultural Heritage at National Trust Exhibition

A new exhibition celebrating the vibrant culture and communities of Birmingham’s Southside is set to open this June at the National Trust Birmingham Back to Backs.

From 5 June 2026, the public can explore From Around Here: Creative Responses to the Culture and Community of Birmingham’s Southside, a free, year-long showcase featuring original work by students from Birmingham City University’s Department of Fashion and Jewellery.

The exhibition presents a diverse array of creative pieces inspired by the area surrounding the Back to Backs—Birmingham’s last remaining example of the historic “back-to-back” houses that once characterised the city’s industrial working-class life. Visitors will encounter rings, garments, textiles, illustrations, photography, digital media, and wallpaper, all reflecting Southside’s rich identity and evolving cultural landscape.

The collaboration between the National Trust and Birmingham City University began in 2023 when students visited the Back to Backs to study the work of master tailor George Saunders, a member of the Windrush generation who arrived in Britain from St Kitts in 1958. The project expanded in 2024 to encompass the broader Southside area, known for its energy, diversity, and creative spirit.

More than 150 students have engaged with a live heritage brief, encouraging hands-on interaction with local history, people, and place. Their work spans multiple disciplines and perspectives, showcasing how Birmingham’s communities continue to inspire innovative creative practices.

Students also collaborated with prominent local figures, including drag artist, costume maker, and LGBTQ+ cultural icon Twiggy, highlighting the voices and personalities that shape Southside today.

In partnership, the Back to Backs and Birmingham City University developed a shared colour palette inspired by Southside’s streets, spaces, and communities. This palette runs throughout the exhibition, visually linking the works while reflecting the character and diversity of the area.

Louise Martin, Senior Lecturer in Fashion and Textiles at Birmingham City University, commented: “This project has given students the opportunity to engage directly with Birmingham’s communities, histories, and creative identities in a meaningful and collaborative way. From fashion and jewellery to textiles and digital media, the work reflects not only the diversity of Southside itself, but also the creativity and individuality of the students responding to it.”

Sabra Khan, General Manager for the National Trust Back to Backs, said: “We’re very pleased to be hosting this exhibition from the Fashion and Jewellery students at Birmingham City University. They’re such a talented group of young people and our team has thoroughly enjoyed working with them. It’s been fascinating to see how the local area has inspired their creativity.

“The Back to Backs are so much more than historic buildings. They give us an insight into our social history and how the city evolved into what we know today. All of this is reflected in the work of the students in the exhibition. Through working together, we hope the history and stories we share will inspire the next generation.”

Opening times for the exhibition are Tuesday to Wednesday from 1pm to 4.30pm, and Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm. A private view will be held on Thursday 4 June 2026 from 6pm.