1mile² Smethwick was the very first square mile to be launched. It is a partnership between Visiting Arts and Urban Living, delivered by a local team led by Hybrid, Ulfah Arts and ecology partners the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country.

The international artist for Smethwick is Arif Mahmood, a Karachi-based photographer interested in people and their environment. He took up residence in the community between March and May, and spent his time documenting the people, events and places of Smethwick.

Local artist Melanie Tomlinson trained in illustration at Birmingham Institute of Art and Design. She works from her studio in Birmingham and also as an artist in the community. Melanie’s passion for nature and its protection inspires all her work and she believes that folklore and mythology can help us better understand the necessity of all living things to human survival. Her work sometimes has roots within other cultures and narratives and may incorporate illusory symbols or appear deliberately mysterious or strange.

1mile² Smethwick is supported by Urban Living.