Solihull Arts Complex

Solihull Council is excited to be unveiling a new art installation, in partnership with Extraordinary Us, where residents are the stars of the show.

As part of ‘Museum of Me’ nine people will have their lives celebrated in a museum without walls built with their personal belongings in Solihull's Touchwood.

Running from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 15 February (10am to 5.30pm daily) Museum of Me is an interactive installation made with, for and about people in Solihull.

The residents sharing their stories have moved to Solihull from places as distant as Hong Kong and as close by as Aylesbury. Even though they all have had very different experiences, the one thing they all share is the warm welcome they received when relocating here and how proud they are to call Solihull home.

Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Wazma Qais said;  “The Museum of Me puts the spotlight on people who are in their own way enriching the local community, so I am delighted that our residents are sharing their stories with us.

“We hope through this project that residents and visitors will be able to experience the joy and inspiration that creativity and culture can bring, and we look forward to seeing the difference it will make.”  

Extraordinary Us Director Paul O’Donnell said; “As a storyteller working closely with people on this project I’ve had a little cry at my desk a couple of times, I’ve burst into laughter at others, and I’ve seen the beauty of individual people in a world that often feels like there is none to be found.

“I think people should come to experience the museums and meet the Museum Stars, because in so doing they might realise that their boring, plain, dull, mundane life –  well it is worthy of a museum. It’s been amazing to meet them all and we can’t wait for everyone else to get to know them too.”

Tony Elvin, General Manager Touchwood, concluded; “With over 11 million visitors every year and a vibrant hub of activity within Solihull, Touchwood is a natural site to showcase community art. With a flow of people throughout the day, there will be plenty of guests able to join the museum stars’ friends and families in finding out what makes the Solihull community so special.”

In addition St. Anne’s Catholic Primary School will be exhibiting their artwork (Monday 8 – Wednesday 11 February) and on Thursday 12 February the international creative team that has curated the Solihull Museum of Me project will be sharing their stories as well.

Museum of Me Solihull is an Extraordinary Us project in partnership with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and Touchwood funded by the Arts Council.