Leading arts education charity, The Arts Society, has awarded a grant to us to celebrate Worcester Porcelain’s design heritage. This pilot project will see former Royal Worcester workers invited to share their skills and techniques in regular informal workshops for local residents. These social and creative sessions will be held in the Museum’s ceramic studio space and include sharing stories and skills of porcelain painting, flower-modelling and slip casting.
Museum Director, Sophie Heath said: “By involving former workers from ‘the Porcelain’ we are shining a light on the artistic skills, traditions and processes of Worcester Porcelain’s 250-year history. And we are really looking forward to inviting former factory workers back to Severn Street, such as Tony Young – a wildlife and landscape painter apprenticed in 1971; Avril Pulley who started in 1967 making china flowers and Roger Green, Master Potter, with over 40yrs experience in modelling and casting. We also invite former factory workers to get in touch to express their interest in occasional or regular sessions and in joining our former workers network.”
Funding from The Arts Society will enable the Museum to pilot regular social and creative workshops for children, adults and disadvantaged groups locally which will start in May, with mid-week, Saturday and early evening sessions.
Florian Schweizer, Chief Executive, The Arts Society said: “It’s always thrilling that art has the power to stimulate, educate and connect. The last two years have been challenging for so many people and to be able to offer this opportunity to be creative, discover new skills, create social connections and wellbeing, is really exciting.”
Maggie Keeble, Chair of The Arts Society Worcester said “We are a membership organisation bringing together local people to explore, appreciate and support The Arts in all its forms, historic and contemporary, through monthly talks, day trips and overseas visits. The Museum of Royal Worcester’s project is the perfect mix of pulling the past, present and future together whilst encouraging creativity and shared activity.”