Let’s call it a surreal day out at the MAC and we Don’t mean McDonald’s.

What MAC Stands For in Birmingham

Mac = Midlands Arts Centre

Midlands Arts Centre in Cannon Hill Park Birmingham

Parking for Midlands Arts Centre in Cannon Hill Park

We parked up in a Leafy car park on the edges of a large park, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH to be exact -ish. which we then had a relatively short stroll On a slight downhill Remember with the uphill on the way back to the Midlands Arts Centre .

Autumn sunshine by the car park  |  The downhill path through the trees towards MAC

Walking Routes and Accessibility at MAC Birmingham

We think it is very accessible for most people and has good-quality paths amongst the trees, greenery, and the park. The runners were plentiful and even a skipping man, gave way to ducks, or are they swan in the bright low autumn sun? all on the boating lake by the side of the Mac = Midlands Arts Centre, not far from Birmingham

Swan shaped pedal boats on the lake  |  Swan Lake Boating beside MAC

Cannon Hill Park History and Louisa Ryland

The MAC is in a beautiful location within Cannon Hill Park. From a brief Google search the park was opened in 1873 and known as Cannon Hill Fields a gift from Miss Louisa Ann Ryland of 57 acres  to the Birmingham Corporation. We have a beautiful area being enjoyed by many people with no interest in art whatsoever. Interesting to note its now approximately 200 acres with various additional land purchases over the years.

An autumn walk through Cannon Hill Park

Midlands Arts Centre Architecture and Glass Windows

The MAC building is an interesting, 1964 although we imagine its been altered and amended over the years as it looks a relatively modern building to us. With a mixture of finishes on the visible on the outside. It uses natural light through modern stained glass windows, or it maybe painted glass windows, to cast light patterns into the building.

The entrance to Midlands Arts Centre

Light patterns from the colourful windows at MAC

MAC Birmingham Cafe Food Review

 It has an excellent café . We thought the food was really good. I’d try the item recommendation by of one of the people running the café, sorry I forgot to ask his name. We do wish we remembered what the name of the meal was called, but we would just say, if they do recommend something, it’s well worth trying.

The cafe at MAC viewed from upstairs

Where to Find the Toilets at MAC Birmingham

If, like us, you had a good drive, to get to the MAC. The toilets on the left as you entered into the building. They’re downstairs, and well sign posted but we still found them quite  hard to find. Hopefully that helps someone.

The sign and stairs leading to the toilets

Art Exhibitions and Galleries at MAC Birmingham

The surreal  exhibition we went to see was on the ground floor. There are also other exhibitions on the first floor, as usual, and we don’t know how we seem to make a habit of this. They were just a changing part of the exhibition. It didn’t distract from the surrealistic art that was on show .

Looking towards the entrance from inside MAC

Art on display in the Made at MAC Gallery

Surreal Solihull Exhibition and Emmy Bridgwater at MAC

Sorry, I should have mentioned earlier: I think we were near Solihull in Birmingham as the exhibition was called Solihull Surrealism or something like that. When googling we have seen it said that it  “Honors the legacy of British Surrealist artist and poet Emmy Bridgwater, who lived in Solihull. I have to say that we enjoyed the exhibition considerably. We probably saw more pictures, photographs, and paintings that we liked than we have done at any art gallery for a long time. We say “liked,” as always some of them we didn’t like, some of them we found interesting, and some of them we found strange, interesting and many we liked.

Visiting MAC Birmingham and Nearby Botanical Gardens

Information about the artists was great as well. The Midlands Arts Centre was not too busy, not too empty, and seemed to be full of lots of friendly people. We thoroughly recommend a visit. It is also worth allocating some time to viewing the park. If we remember correctly, we also pass botanical gardens it may have been the Winterbourne Botanical Gardens Edgbaston Park Rd or Birmingham Botanical Gardens Westbourne Road I think it’s probably a good day out in the area. Birmingham city centre is not too far away.

Another view of the MAC building and courtyard

MAC Birmingham Visit Final Thoughts

Okay, that’s it. Thank you. Bye.