Stories of Making & Migration

Hear people’s stories of making who have migrated to the Midlands from other countries.

We have been collecting stories of making in the Midlands that are influenced by migration.

We met with ‘everyday makers’ who craft for themselves, making at home, in a local studio or with a community. Through jewellery, pottery, crochet, textiles, blacksmithing and batik, their work celebrates the cultural and ethnic diversity of the Midlands. It highlights how craft skills that migrate with the makers influence creativity.

We met makers of South American, African, Caribbean, South Asian and East Asian heritage. They tell of a love for making and craft. Whether self-taught, passed down through family or shared within their community. It has been a privilege to work with them to weave together a rich tapestry of stories across the Midlands.

Research, documentation and storytelling by Hayley Salter, a Birmingham based photographer, film-maker and creative producer.

Find out more about the exhibition

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.

Meet the artists

See the artists exhibiting in Made in the Middle.

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.



Where Next?

Stories of Making & Migration

Hear stories from ‘everyday makers’.

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

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.

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.

Made in the Middle: Learning Resources

Resources and activities to support you visit.

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


We use cookies. By browsing our site you agree to our use of cookies, Find out more