Character Heads in Clay Workshop
2026-08-29 11:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | Gallery 1
Character Heads in Clay Workshop with Paul Brown RBSA.
Design and sculpt your own characterful face in clay. Using a variety of sculpting techniques, learn to create features and expressions with a range of tools and modelling methods.
Age group and abilities to be taught

18 years and above
Ideal for beginners and experienced artists

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught

Learn the basic sculpting methods to create a head and features in clay
Learn how to handle clay, creating a simple block shape onto which sculpt a head and face
Learn how to use a range of sculpting tools and techniques to create features, texture, and expression

Course outline for the day

Morning activity

Introduction and examples
Create basic shapes in clay
Begin to build up simple features and expressions

Afternoon activity

Review progress
Refine features, look at embossing and texture
Discussion as to possibilities for hollowing and firing work

What you need to bring with you:

Reference images of friends, family, and any other inspirational images of faces
Plastic box, tray, or board for transportation of finished work
Plastic bags
Apron
Any pottery sculpting tools

What we will provide:

Wooden boards
Clay
Sculpting tools
Range of stamps for embossing/creating texture
Examples of tutor’s work for reference

Methods of assessing outcomes

Feedback from tutor
Group discussion
Completion of evaluation form

Booking information

To book please use the ticketing system below. Alternatively, please call the Gallery on 0121 236 4353 during opening hours to book over the phone. Bookings can also be made in person at the Gallery.
Booking is essential. Payment in full is required at the time of booking to secure a place.
Payments are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Places are limited to 10 people per workshop unless stated otherwise. Allocation will take place on a first-come first-served basis.
All workshops run from 11.00am – 4.00pm with a 40 minute lunch break, unless otherwise stated. Tea and coffee will be provided, participants need to provide their own lunch.
Please inform the RBSA Gallery when booking of any health conditions or additional needs as some workshops might not be suitable.
A valid student ID must be provided to receive a student discount.

Cancellation Policy

If you, the customer cancels your booked workshop, we are unable to offer you a refund.
Transfers to an alternative workshop may be possible depending on the circumstance and is at the discretion of the RBSA Gallery.
In the event of under-subscription, workshops may be cancelled or re-arranged. We will give you as much notice as possible if this happens and you will be able to transfer to another course or receive a full refund. The RBSA is unable to refund additional expenses, such as travel and accommodation.
If you are booked on a workshop and do not attend on the day, a refund will not be given.

Continual Professional Development (CPD) and Copyright

We welcome bookings from people attending for Continual Professional Development (CPD). However, our workshops are not designed as CPD. If your employer is paying for the course or you require more details about what you expect from the course, please contact the Gallery in advance before booking.
The workshop content and any information provided (e.g. handouts, guidance notes, etc.) are the intellectual property of the artist delivering the workshop. They should not be used or reproduced without permission from the artist (e.g. copying handouts to use in any classes workshop attendees might deliver themselves afterwards).

Other information

The workshop will take place in the RBSA Gallery, floor 1. The space will be closed to visitors and will only be used by workshop attendees. However, staff and volunteers will need to walk through the space at various points in the day to access the staff office, which is located on the same floor.
Attendees can leave their materials in the workshop space during their breaks but the RBSA will not be responsible for any loss or damages.
Please bring a packed lunch. Alternatively, there are a number of cafés and sandwich shops within walking distance of the Gallery.
Please bring an old shirt or apron to help protect your clothing.
The continuous redevelopment work in the city centre has caused increased traffic, delays, and diversions in and around the City Centre. Therefore, please allow yourself plenty of travel time, plan your route, and check your parking arrangements.
If you are travelling by car, please ensure your car is clean air zone compliant, or charges may occur.

Next Generation RBSA 2026
2026-09-01 - 2026-09-12 | Galleries 1 & 2
The Next Generation RBSA programme is triennial opportunity open to early-career visual artists based within easy reach of the RBSA Gallery in Birmingham. Through the programme, the Society is offering a small number of artists the opportunity to enjoy the benefits a three-year free membership of the Society.
In contrast to the Society’s previous Graduate Artists programme, this new scheme reflects the multitude of ways in which people begin their artistic journeys, and the Society actively encouraged self-taught artists to apply for the programme, alongside those who have completed arts-related courses at university.
The Next Generation RBSA Exhibition comprises work by applicants who, following interviews, were selected to show a collection of their artwork. From this group, those chosen by the RBSA Council will be offered full Membership benefits, including multiple exhibition opportunities at the RBSA Gallery each year, a solo show space, expert guidance and tutoring, inclusion in Society activities, and valuable invitations to networking events. They will achieve the prestige of having NGRBSA letters after their name for the duration of their tenure and, at the end of the three years, will be supported in completing an application to become part of the Society’s Membership.
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to view prospective Next Generation artists’ work and read their statements prior to the Council selecting the first cohort of Next Generation RBSA Artists.
Exhibition closes: Saturday 12 September 5.00pm
Image: Ross McCormick, An Act Of Contention

Guild of Aviation Artists - Defence of the Realm
2026-09-15 - 2026-09-26 | Galleries 1 & 2
The Guild of Aviation Artists was established in 1971, and it is recognised throughout the world as the premier society for the promotion of aviation art. Its principal aim is to promote aviation art in all its forms, and to encourage interest in the genre by artists and non-artists alike.
Amongst the founder members of the Guild was the famous wildlife artist, David Shepherd, who was in fact an aviation artist before he became famous for his wildlife work. Other famous past members include the late artists Terence Cuneo, Keith Shackleton, Roy Cross, and Roy Huxley (the latter two being most renowned for their Airfix and Matchbox cover art).
The Guild’s current membership stands at around 260 in the UK, and the work of members, both past and present, is to be found in not only private collections around the world, but in many corporate and governmental locations. In particular, the majority of paintings to be found in the likes of the RAF Club and messes of airbases were most probably produced by Guild members.
Today, amongst the membership of the Guild, are to be found ex-service personnel who have rekindled their association with military aviation through their artwork.
This new exhibition, Defence of the Realm, will feature some 180 aviation paintings, the majority of which will follow, and portray, the defence of the realm theme.
The opening day of the exhibition, 15 September, will be Battle of Britain day itself. A VIP opening ceremony (by Invitation only) will be held at the RBSA Gallery Monday 14 September, when President of the Royal Air Force Association, Air Marshal Sir Baz North, will be attending as guest VIP to open the show.
The Guild has agreed to donate part of the commission on any sales at the exhibition to the Royal Air Force Association in recognition of those that have served – and those who continue to do so.
Exhibition closes: Saturday 26 September 5.00pm
Image: Robert Calow, Defence Of The Realm (detail)

RBSA Prize 2026
2026-10-01 - 2026-10-31 | Galleries 1 & 2
The biennial RBSA Prize celebrates creativity and innovation by promoting work at the cutting edge of contemporary art. While this exhibition includes work by artists based locally, nationally, and internationally, those with more contemporary practices were encouraged to submit work, allowing the RBSA to shine a light on artwork that is pushing boundaries.
As one of the most exciting contemporary arts venues in Birmingham, the RBSA Gallery provides exhibiting artists with an excellent platform to showcase their artwork to a large and diverse audience.
An enormous variety of techniques and approaches are represented in the works on display, exploring a myriad of different themes and concepts. Visitors can expect to be surprised and challenged by this exhibition with the judges selecting a stunning collection of work.
The following prizes will be awarded:
First Prize £1000
Second Prize £500
Third Prize £250
Up to six highly commended certificates will also be awarded.
Preview Evening: Thursday 1 October 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 31 October 5.00pm
Image: Éadaoin Glynn, Girl Unknown 4
