The Wedgwood Museum A Place of Discovery

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Miranda Blake
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1 The Wedgwood Museum A Place of Discovery The Wedgwood Museum s inspiring Discover Wedgwood packages offer a unique opportunity to spend time with a member of its curatorial team, discovering fascinating stories hidden within its extensive collections and the Wedgwood archives. There are three Discover Wedgwood experiences available Bronze, Silver and Gold which take place regularly throughout the year. A selection of thought-provoking and engaging subjects are investigated, so as well as choosing between Bronze, Silver and Gold, you can also book your preferred date depending on the topic that most interests you. Please refer to our full Discover Wedgwood calendar for available dates and themes. Discover Wedgwood - Bronze The finest Wedgwood tea, ethically sourced coffee and mouth-watering cakes will form part of your warm welcome to the new World of Wedgwood when you book our Discover Wedgwood Bronze package. This will be followed by a two-hour session with an Assistant Curator, during which they will give a themed talk before entering the galleries where they will highlight the objects mentioned and answer any questions you might have. As part of this truly interactive and illuminating experience you will also have access to the Museum galleries for the whole day. Our Discover Wedgwood Bronze experience is priced at 35 per person including tea / coffee and cake and admission to the Museum galleries. Places must be pre-booked and numbers are limited to 20 people. Discover Wedgwood Bronze is available on the following Tuesdays: 1 st March, 5 th April, 3 rd May, 7 th June, 5 th July, 2 nd August, 6 th September, 4 th October, 1 st November, and 6 th December.

2 Discover Wedgwood Silver Delve even deeper into the history of Wedgwood with our Discover Wedgwood Silver experience. Enjoy the finest Wedgwood tea, ethically sourced coffee and mouth-watering cakes on arrival before an enthralling three-hours with an Assistant Curator, including a themed talk in our Darwin Suite followed by questions and answers within the Museum galleries. Discover Wedgwood Silver also includes exclusive hands-on access to the Museum archives. You will have access to the Museum galleries for the entire day and a delicious buffet lunch will also be provided by our chefs. Our Discover Wedgwood Silver experience is priced at 55 per person including tea / coffee and cake, buffet lunch and admission to the Museum galleries. Places must be pre-booked and numbers are limited to 20 people. Discover Wedgwood Silver is available on the following Wednesdays: 9 th March, 13 th April, 11 th May, 15 th June, 13 th July, 10 th August, 14 th September, 12 th October, 9 th November, and 14 th December. Discover Wedgwood Gold This is the most exclusive of our Discover Wedgwood experiences, giving you the unique opportunity to spend five hours with our Curator Gaye Blake Roberts. During this time you will be treated to a fascinating themed talk, hands-on access to the Museum archives and time in the Museum galleries where you will be able to ask questions and truly discover the breadth and impact of Wedgwood s exciting legacy. You will enjoy the finest Wedgwood tea, ethically sourced coffee and mouth-watering cakes on arrival. A delicious formal lunch with the Curator in our beautiful new restaurant, the Dining Hall, is also included. Our Discover Wedgwood Gold experience is priced at 95 per person including tea / coffee and cake, formal lunch with the Curator in the Dining Hall and admission to the Museum galleries for the whole day. Places must be pre-booked and numbers are strictly limited to 8 people. Discover Wedgwood Gold is available on the following Thursdays: 17 th March, 21 st April, 19 th May, 23 rd June, 21 st July, 18 th August, 22 nd September, 20 th October, and 17 th November.

3 Discover Wedgwood: Bronze Dates and subjects st March Wedgwood & The Lunar Society An exploration of the key figures of the Lunar Society, including Josiah Wedgwood, his doctor Erasmus Darwin, his business associates Matthew Boulton and James Watt among others. Discover the stories and the science of these learned men and how they have had an impact on Wedgwood s production. 5 th April The Wedgwood Family An exploration of family members over 250 years 250 years of one extraordinary family. Get to know the people behind the names, discover curious characters, geniuses, and relations you would not expect. From Josiah Wedgwood and his legacy of a master potter, to the modern day An exploration of the scientists, composers, politicians, academics, and potters who are all descendants of one Burslem potter. 3 rd May Wedg-what?? Wedgwood oddities in the collection Have you ever come across a Wedgwood sock dryer? Or a Wedgwood hookah? Join us for a trip through the weird and wonderful parts of Wedgwood s history. Discover all sorts of quirky things in the Museum collections and how they reflect the ever-changing trends and tastes in history. 7 th June Wedgwood s impact on Stoke-on-Trent Discover how the vision of one man shaped the whole area and the lives of many. Although very little remains now of the factory that Wedgwood built at Etruria, the impact his company and family have had across the city has been enormous. Join us through a geographic adventure across the city as we explore the houses, places, factories and monuments which are all associated with Wedgwood. 5 th July Wedgwood remembers Throughout the history Wedgwood has made wares in celebration of popular heroes and historical events. Discover objects from the black basalt First Day Vases, to the jasper plates

4 commemorating the moon landings. Learn about their fascinating stories and explore the ways in which Wedgwood has remembered these important events in our heritage. 2 nd August Wedgwood & Royalty Learn about the fantastic creations that adorned the households of the high society From the first tea set sent to Queen Charlotte, to the Appledore pattern which Queen Elizabeth II picked out on her visit to the Barlaston factory in We take a tour through Wedgwood s history exploring how Wedgwood has courted royal approval to help sell their products. 6 th September Make yourself at home Wedgwood and Interior Decoration Learn how Wedgwood s Ornamental ware and also his Useful ware not only made a house into a home, but also enabled customers to keep up with the latest trends in interior decoration and to display their sophistication. Explore how changing fashions are reflected in changing interiors and discover famous buildings and their illustrious owners. 4 th October Wedgwood & Literature Other than being some of the most famous names in the literary world, did you know that characters from Homer, William Shakespeare, Sir Walter Scott and Beatrix Potter grace Wedgwood ceramics? We will go on a literary tour through the galleries exploring the designs which appear on the pots. See how literature reflects the changes in society and how Wedgwood kept up with the current taste. 1 st November Wedgwood at War During this month of national remembrance, join us in the Museum to explore the stories of Wedgwood at War. We will explore objects which relate directly to the impacts of war, and the stories of the men (and women) who went away to serve from Waterloo to the Second World War. 6 th December Wedgwood Majolica Brightly coloured and incredibly inventive in shapes and decorations that s Majolica! Wedgwood s creations were an epitome of the Victorian taste and highly sought after. Discover pieces from the Museum collections and dive into a world of colours and textures.

5 Discover Wedgwood: Silver Dates and subjects 2016 Silver 9 th March Everything yields to experiments Wedgwood & Science Discover how Josiah Wedgwood established for himself an international reputation amongst men of science in the 18 th century. This talk will focus on the impact an innovative group of West Midlands men the Lunar Society have had on the world how we know it. We will expand upon it and explore the world of botany, early experiments with photography, and we will get to know arguably the most famous British scientist of the nineteenth century: Charles Darwin. Join us for exclusive access and stories in the Wedgwood archives. 13 th April Begin at the Heads first, & then proceed to the inferior members Wedgwood & Royalty Discover the close bonds between Wedgwood and royalty across the world and history. Travel with us all the way from Queen Charlotte s tea table, across Europe and as far as Catherine the Great s Russian Empire. Discover invaluable records such as letters, Crest Books and bill heads in the archives. 11 th May Wedgwood & Literature Explore the close relations of Wedgwood s creations with literature over the centuries. From the Iliad to Ivanhoe we will discover famous and popular Wedgwood pieces and have an exclusive look at pattern books, reference material and inspirations in the archives. 15 th June The Wedgwood Museum opens its jewellery box Fashion is infinitely superior to merit in many respects, said Josiah as early as We will discover three centuries of Wedgwood jewellery design with examples from the Museum galleries and the archives and explore how these pieces reflected the ever-changing tastes and fashions.

6 13 th July Wedgwood at War Cecil Wedgwood and the First World War To commemorate the centenary of the death of Cecil Wedgwood on the Somme on 3 rd July 1916, we will explore his life and work as well as the impact the First World War had on the Etruria factory with exclusive hands-on access to the archives. 10 th August Wedgwood & 20 th century designers Be it Daisy Makeig-Jones, Eric Ravillious, Eduardo Paolozzi or Norman Wilson with their fingers on the pulse of time Wedgwood s artists created iconic pieces of 20 th century design. Learn more about the individual designers and their creations for Wedgwood culminating in a hands-on session in the archive to see some of their original designs. 14 th September Wedgwood s impact on Stoke-on-Trent Learn about Wedgwood s factory Etruria a milestone of the Industrial Revolution and a role model for many factories in all branches of manufacturing how it shaped the whole area of Stoke-on-Trent and how history repeats itself with the 1940 move to the new state of the art factory in Barlaston. Explore the archives and exclusively discover old photographs, letters and maps that demonstrate how time has changed. 12 th October The Wedgwood Family An exploration of family members over 250 years Get to know the Wedgwood family even better! Have a look at private letters and other personal and official documents in the archives. An exploration of the scientists, composers, politicians, academics, and potters who are all descendants of one Burslem potter. 9 th November Wedg-what?? Wedgwood oddities in the collection Have you ever seen a Wedgwood hedgehog? Have you ever wondered what a Pyrophorus Vase was? And what was a Canopic Vase used for? Join us for a trip through the weird and wonderful parts of Wedgwood history. With exclusive access to Wedgwood archives and collection, join us in exploring the stranger pieces of Wedgwood production. 14 th December Wedgwood s 18 th century marvels Ever wondered about the story behind the Frog Service? Do you know the significance of the Portland Vase? Why are the First Day Vases so called? Come with us as we explore in detail some of the fascinating Wedgwood objects in the eighteenth century galleries

7 Discover Wedgwood: Gold Dates and subjects 2016 Gold March 17 th A Passion for Flowers On the 7 th March 1804 seven men met at James Hatchard s house, (now the bookshop), in Piccadilly, London to plan the creation of a new society devoted to the improvement of horticulture. John Wedgwood, Josiah s eldest son, took the chair at the inaugural meeting of what became the Royal Horticulture Society. The important role of flowers in the 18 th and 19 th centuries will be the focus of this study. April 21 st The Genius of Wedgwood Josiah Wedgwood was born into an exciting era of English history, a period of change and development dominated by the industrial revolution. This day will explore the influenced of fashion, taste, commerce and culture on Wedgwood ceramics of the 18 th century through the pieces themselves and the amazing archive collection. May 19 th Wedgwood and Artists Throughout the centuries the Wedgwood firm has employed some of the most celebrated artists to provide designs and inspiration for their products. We will look at some of the most influential of these artists whose work is renowned in other disciplines rather than ceramics such as John Flaxman, George Stubbs, Walter Crane, Thomas Allen, Eris Ravilious, Davis Shepherd, Eduardo Paolozzi amongst others and provide a new perspective on art and design. June 23 rd Wedgwood & the Enlightenment One of the most striking aspects of the Wedgwood Museum is the diversity of the exhibits, reflecting the atmosphere of the time. There was no intellectual restraint so such freedom of thought enabled men like Wedgwood and his associates to exchange and develop ideas on cultural, political, social, moral, scientific and artistic levels as never before. July 21 st Josiah Wedgwood Potter, pioneer and philanthropist This subject will explore all the facets of Josiah Wedgwood s life from his humble beginnings as the twelfth and youngest son of a third generation potter to his wares being used in every court in Europe. It will also look at the connections he made which significantly affected his life, and his philanthropy towards his workforce and friends alike.

8 August 18 th The Genius of Wedgwood Josiah Wedgwood was born into an exciting era of English history, a period of change and development dominated by the industrial revolution. This day will explore the influenced of fashion, taste, commerce and culture on Wedgwood ceramics of the 18 th century through the pieces themselves and the amazing archive collection September 22nd Wedgwood; Chinoiserie and the Orient Chinoiserie is an all embracing term for the fashionable oriental themes in the decorative arts of Europe. From the 17 th century with the discovery of the sea route to China and the increased growth of wares exported from the orient meant that the Chinese style became extremely fashionable from the Rococo Chinoiserie of the , to the 19 th century, especially with the construction of Brighton Pavilion, through to today s designs. The influence of Japan on Wedgwood ceramics will be shown through the wares of the 19 th century onwards with decoration based on the distinctive Japanese forms. October 20 th Wedgwood and Artists Throughout the centuries the Wedgwood firm has employed some of the most celebrated artists to provide designs and inspiration for their products. We will look at some of the most influential of these artists whose work is renowned in other disciplines rather than ceramics such as John Flaxman, George Stubbs, Walter Crane, Thomas Allen, Eris Ravilious, Davis Shepherd, Eduardo Paolozzi amongst others and provide a new perspective on art and design. November 17 th Wedgwood & the Enlightenment One of the most striking aspects of the Wedgwood Museum is the diversity of the exhibits, reflecting the atmosphere of the time. There was no intellectual restraint so such freedom of thought enabled men like Wedgwood and his associates to exchange and develop ideas on cultural, political, social, moral, scientific and artistic levels as never before.

New Exhibition Showcases European Love Affair with Japanese And Chinese Porcelain

EMBARGOED TILL 4PM, 7 JAN 2010 MEDIA RELEASE New Exhibition Showcases European Love Affair with Japanese And Chinese Porcelain The exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum features a collection of