Black Country Voyages, The Black Apotheca Launch

Wednesday 13 May saw the Launch of Black Country Voyages, The Black Apotheca. This was the publics first opportunity to see the newly transformed boat.

Our 2015 lead artist, Jacques Nimki, treated us to home made wild flower tea in Ikon’s Events room, where Jacques had displayed a selection of objects of curious objects in keeping with his ‘Apothecary theme’. The public had the opportunity to ‘earn’ a space on one of two trips on Black Country Voyages taking pace that day, by simply drawing one of the wild flowers they were presented with.

Short boat trips were taking place in Brindley Place, on which Jacques served us home made elderflower cordial and strawberry and elder flower sorbet. There was a great atmosphere and it was fantastic to listen to Jacques discussing his ideas for the year and how he had transformed the boat. Black Country Voyages is now a fresh and open space for workshops to take place, with a canopy of vinyl foliage. A thin workbench stretches the whole of the boat, providing plenty of space to get creative and tool stools have been added to create a laboratory atmosphere. A small seating communal area has been left open at the end, which provides the perfect space to relax and take in the sights whilst traveling on the canal. Jacques has an array of objects and herbs on display which he intends to add to as we travel around the Black Country. It will be great to see the first workshop being held on the boat.

It’s going to be an exciting year!