Contemporary craft from across the Midlands



Made in the Middle

Made in the Middle touring exhibition will be at Midlands Art Centre from 14 February – 12 April 2026.

The exhibition draws together 37 artists whose work highlights the innovative contemporary crafts being made in the Midlands today. The artists represent the region’s vibrant and diverse creative community and include both emerging talents and established names.

The wide range of objects, materials, skills, processes and techniques on display provide inspiration for anyone interested in making, seeing or buying craft.

The exhibition is the ninth in the Made in the Middle series and will tour to galleries across the Midlands into 2026.

You can find out more about visiting the exhibition here.

Six brightly coloured, differently sized vases. Each vase is entirely one colour, and differently shaped. The surfaces are decorated with many sharp grooves, creating lines top to bottom.

Explore the virtual exhibition

Discover the artists through video, images, BSL and audio resources.

A large detailed white papercut artwork. Rings radiate out from the centre, with each layer being very precisely and meticulously cut.

Visit: See the exhibition

Find out more about the tour.

Two arms hold a large blue pot decorated with orange shapes. It is large and round at the top tapering inwards towards the base.

Watch: Stories of Making and Migration

‘Everyday makers’ influenced by migration.

Taylor and Nilupa sitting in Nilupa's studio, looking down, working on a small-scale handheld loom, weaving strips of fabric.

Explore: Crafting Pathways

A project for four Birmingham-based young people to develop their artistic skills, interests and identities.

A red high-heel shoe. The sole between the arch and the toe of the shoe has been extended and curves about 90 degrees. It says 'Turning Point' in gold capital letters.

Read: Made in the Middle 2025

Find out more about the latest exhibition.

Shop: Made in the Middle Catalogue

Order now, £10.

Pages from the guide show and artist in their studio and a page of text titled 'stories'.

Learn: Exhibition resources

Download our guides to inspire creativity and ideas.

Four candle holders lined up in a diagonal row, each a different colour with a different coloured candle in it. The holders resemble diabolos - like a sphere cut in half, and then the top and bottom are connected. The candle holders appear rough on the inside and smooth on the outside, and are natural colours.

Shop: Made in the Middle

Contemporary craft from makers featured in the exhibition.




Where Next?

Made in the Middle: Virtual Tour

Explore the virtual Made in the Middle exhibition.

Three sculptures. They appear to include found objects made from building material. They include rough stone shapes, twisted shapes and smooth glazed forms.

Made in the Middle 2025

Made in the Middle tells a story of exceptional contemporary craft and design made in the Midlands.

Three sculptures. They appear to include found objects made from building material. They include rough stone shapes, twisted shapes and smooth glazed forms.

Artist: Oxana Geets - Character Stories

Read the tales of five new creatures.

Three simple ceramic creatures. A dark dragon-like form with a green tongue, a light brown hedgehog-like creature which appears to hold a small bag and look surprised and a small brown bear like figure with open arms.

Made in the Middle: Artists

See all of the artists in the exhibition.

Three abstract sculptures. They are made of irregular shaped blocks of coloured plaster. They look very solid. The colours are bright and blocky, greens, blues, pinks and yellows.


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