The trendy Jewellery Quarter is getting trendier as it welcomes the grand opening of Stryx Gallery on April 15th, 2024. Located opposite the Midlands Metro station on Vyse Street and led by Anna Katarzyna Domejko and Karolina Korupczynska, Stryx Gallery is poised to become the city’s go-to destination for contemporary art enthusiasts, gift buyers, coffee shop lovers and fans of community activities.
Stryx Gallery prides itself on showcasing a meticulously curated collection of affordable contemporary artworks by local talents who are both emerging or mid-career artists. From captivating paintings to jewellery like you’ve never seen before. The gallery offers a diverse selection of pieces that capture the essence of Birmingham’s vibrant arts scene.
What sets Stryx Gallery apart is its unwavering dedication to supporting emerging artists. Through mentorship programs and artist residencies, Anna and Karolina provide invaluable resources and guidance to nurture the city’s creative talents, with an aim to support and keep talented creatives in the city, ensuring a thriving arts community for years to come.
Today’s private launch event (Saturday 13th April) offered a sneak peek into the current gallery’s offerings, with acclaimed artist Ewan Johnston, known as @b4g_lord, capturing the essence of guests with his captivating portraits. I had seen his work previously at Wolverhampton Art Gallery and fallen in love, and it’s brilliant to know that you can now purchase his work at Stryx Gallery. I am a little (okay, a lot) in love with the painting he did of me.
Visitors will also get to see the stunning jewellery creations of Lexi Strauss, including unique sausage and kebab earrings that definitely add a touch of whimsy and uniqueness to the gallery. I’ve never wanted my ears pierced as much as I do now, having seen these fantastic creations.
There’s plenty more exciting pieces of art, including Molly Cleaver’s playful wooden creations. If you watch Joe Lycett Live, you might see a piece of her work in the background. Or if you don’t want to wait to see it only once a week, you could purchase a piece to have in your own home.
You can purchase Jemima ‘Mim’ Graham’s bold statement prints, Paul Newman’s fascinating paintings and drawings (the type of painting you could get lost in looking at all the unique and creative details), Lucy Andrews oil paintings on aluminium (her painting entitled Going Out Out, had a lot of interest), an epic screen print from Abdulrazaq Awofeso and jewellery from Gabriella Broadley.
As Stryx Gallery opens its doors to the public, guests can look forward to a dynamic lineup of exhibitions, talks, workshops, and events. From thought-provoking panel discussions to immersive art experiences, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
What I love about this gallery is its commitment to the community with its community engagement programme. From Mother and Baby, Stay and Play sessions on Fridays, to a Mother’s Who Make hub connecting creative m/others, birth givers and caregivers together as they manage the juggling of both trying to work as creatives and also being parents. There’s photography meet-ups, over 50s events and lots more.
Until 27th April 2024, you can see the Home Grown Community Open Exhibition, a collection of art created by the local community.
There’s even a place to sit and enjoy a hot or cold drink with a cake (at very reasonable prices) with baby chairs available.
For more details about programming and opening times, check out their website here: https://stryx.co.uk/
Located at 90 Vyse Street, Jewellery Quarter, B18 6JZ