Tucked behind a narrow alleyway, just off Institute Road, much of ·nook·’s magic lies in its unassuming situation: blink and you might miss it. And yet, a veritable treasure trove of one-off creations and contemporary art pieces, ·nook· gallery & studios is surely one of Kings Heath’s unsung heroes, providing the area with a space in which its burgeoning art scene might finally be recognised.
·nook· is managed by Gosia Weber (of Gosia Weber Handmade), whose own creative endeavours have taken her across the country to exhibit her work at various major events, such as the Bovey Tracey Craft Festival in Devon and the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester. Having worked from studios as far away as Wolverhampton, Digbeth and the Jewellery Quarter, Gosia uses cutoffs to create her unique range of bags, purses and jewellery, typified by their bold colours and playful designs. Recently however, exhausted with her daily commute and craving a shift in focus, Gosia happened upon a space with which to action another, different dream of hers and, with the help of her partner Darren Whitcombe, set up ·nook· gallery & studios in June of this year.
A working studio for Gosia, Sarah Leigh (of Felti), Claire Hewitt (of Claire Hewitt Photography) and associated artist, Sue Bibby (of Sue Bibby Embroidery), as well as a public gallery, ·nook·’s role within Kings Heath is manifold. Ultimately, though, it aims to facilitate an interaction between artist and consumer, inviting a productive exchange of support and inspiration. Hosting workshops, community events and soon, informal peer support sessions for makers, ·nook· represents a space in which people can come together, where art can be created, discussed and enjoyed, in all of its forms.
Nevertheless, a project such as this one is certainly not without its challenges. In fact, along with all of the difficulties being faced by every small business owner, Gosia admits to having struggled with a nagging sense of ‘imposter syndrome’, exacerbated by the personal nature of her work. Once a mere pipe dream that she could fantasise about while crafting, Gosia now had to confront the harsh reality of opening a suburban gallery: what will people think? Will they like it? Is there really a need for a space like this in Kings Heath? But these doubts were quickly put to rest when she finally opened ·nook· gallery & studios to the public five months ago. In a community where collaboration and creativity are at the heart of everything we do, ·nook· has successfully weaved itself into the rich tapestry of Kings Heath without a hitch.
Favourite business(es) in Kings Heath?
In one way or another, Gosia finds herself inspired by almost all of the other independent businesses here in Kings Heath. However, she particularly loves Enki, The New Photo Company, The Heath Bookshop, Hop + Scotch and Houblon, as well as all of the quirky boutiques and eateries on both York and Poplar Road!
