The story of how Craftspace developed Shelanu (a migrant women's craft social enterprise), transitioning women from beneficiaries of arts projects to becoming creative producers in Birmingham.

1. Shelanu
belonging to
us
in Hebrew

2. BIRMINGHAM
HOMEGROWN
SHELANU
AMBASSADORS
CULTURAL CITIZENSHIP
SMALL STORIES
Creative economy
City brand/image
Innovation

3. The creative enquiry began in 2004… working with refugee women to explore identity through
jewellery and photography for a national touring exhibition curated by Craftspace called ‘Self’
The Community Integration Partnership was our partner organisation

5. Further projects followed at the Community Integration Partnership to develop skills led by artists

6. Work displayed at ‘Origin’ the Crafts Council’s london craft fair

7. Working out objectives during training sessions in
social enterprise

8. Cultural citizenship, seeing, looking, knowing, feeling ownership
Skills and product development
Personal and collective enquiry

9. “City of a thousand trades….workshop of the world”
Visits around the city to see and
experience museum collections, the
jewellery trade, the buildings and
parks, the industrial heritage

11. The first collection inspired by industrial heritage

17. The first batch produced range Migrating Birds
developed with jeweller Rita Patel

18. Retail commission: Bespoke jewellery for ‘Caught in the Crossfire’ exhibition,
Herbert Museum & Art Gallery

23. Shelanu Birmingham Souvenir Project 2015

25. www.craftspace.co.uk/shelanu

26. forms of belonging and integration
harnessing and harvesting agency
ambassadors, representing
exhibiting, collaborating
sharing skills, skills exchange

27. ‘Hands Together’ case study display alongside an exhibition celebrating 40 years of
jewellery making in the UK. Goldsmiths Centre London, Sept 2015
Shelanu exhibiting: The Southbank Centre, Goldsmiths Centre London, Contemporary Craft Festival Bovey
Tracey, Walford Mill Dorset, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, mac birmingham, Rugby Art Gallery &
Museum, Bilston Crafts Gallery

28. Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey
Anti-curate exhibition
mac birmingham
‘Craft & Conflict’ Bilston Crafts Gallery

29. Shelanu into the Community
Birmingham City Council Cultural Commissioning contract
Shelanu facilitated 32 jewellery workshops in 4 community centres

31. Arts & Humanities Research Council project
Craft on the Radio
Shelanu and over 50’s craft group
‘Young at Heart’ skills exchange session

34. Story Meadow
Tales of Migration to Birmingham 2013
Artist Jivan Astfalck in collaboration with Shelanu
and the School of Jewellery MA students

35. A participatory installation artwork made with the
public over five days with over 2000 flowers
incorporating 40+ languages
https://www.flickr.com/photos/craftspace/sets/72
157637375580656/