Location: Unit 17, (Ex-Tresspass Shop) Hillstreet Shopping centre, TS1 1SU

Dates: Fri 26 Sept - Sun 28 Sept

Hours: 10am - 3pm 

Access: Step free 

Artists: Rosie Gibbens 

‘Unimate’ is a drop-in workshop where participants design and build prospective ‘labour-saving’ domestic devices inspired by an absurd interpretation of the future of robotics in the home. The humanoid ‘machines’ will be assembled using found household appliances alongside fabric body parts.

Location: 14 Corporation Rd (Opposite Tesco Express) Middlesbrough TS1 1LJ

Dates: Fri 26 Sept & Sat 27 Sept

Hours: 10am - 2pm, Free, Drop-in

Access: Step free 

Artists: Rumna Yasmin and Miki Rogers

What’s in My Suitcase’ is a collaborative project between Storyteller and writer Rumana Yasmin of Book Boy Books and Artist Miki Rogers, working alongside Indi Deol of Desi Blitz. Miki and Rumana work together to tell and uncover stories of migration through objects that have travelled across continents and creative activity which explores migration themes. For Middlesbrough Art Week Rumana will be telling a traditional Bangladeshi tale of Chader Buri, the fabled granny, with prompts from Nakshi Kantha traditional Embroidery. Miki will be using Kantha sewing to look at items brought from across the world, and you can join along by making your own Kantha embroidered mini panel.

Location: 10 Newton Mall (opposite old Poundland Store) Cleveland Centre, Middlesbrough  TS1 2NW         Date: Sat 27 Sept Hours: 10am - 12pm Access: Step free Artists: Zara Saghir

Join artist Zara Saghir in this hands-on workshop to craft a miniature dholki drums, inspired by the traditional pre-wedding dholki celebration from South Asian culture. A dholki is a joyful yet emotional gathering, where women sing traditional wedding songs (geet) to celebrate the bride’s transition into married life. Though festive, the dholki also carries undertones of expectation, pressure, and performance around marriage.

In contrast, this workshop offers a reimagined ritual, one that centers self-love, reflection, and autonomy. Each participant will write a personal affirmation or empowering promise to themselves, a private vow of freedom, truth, or self-worth.

Location: Unit 17, (ex-Tresspass Shop) Hillstreet Shopping centre, TS1 1SU

Dates: Sat 27, Sun 28 Sept and Sat 4 Oct 

Hours:10am - 4pm, Free, Drop in 

Access: Step free 

Come and explore Common Ground! 

During Middlesbrough Art Week we will be imagining what we can grow and nurture together in a sustainable future filled with hope, care and creativity. At our different making stations, you’ll be invited to use your imagination to design, build, paint and print with Sue Loughlin, our Community Connector. Get inspired by the themes and artists at MAW 2025, and our new creative programme Common Ground. Everyone is encouraged to get involved, share ideas and make art together.

Free Drop in event

Location: 14 Corporation Rd (opposite Tesco Express) Middlesbrough TS1 1LJ

Dates: Sat 27 Sept

Hours: 10am - 2pm, Free, Drop-in

Access: Step free 

Artists: Haider Ali

On Saturday 27th September, Desi Blitz will bring along their truck painted bus, hand painted by the internationally revered Truck painter Haider Ali. As well as marvelling in the spectacle of the bus, visitors can enjoy a mini museum of migration inside the vehicle, listen to stories of migration from the ‘One Suitcase’ project and follow a scavenger hunt looking for animals and designs with the painted design of the bus.