Blackwell The Arts and Crafts House

Moorcroft: 100 Years of a Living Art Pottery

• 23 January — 20 July 2014 *on now

It is highly fitting that this exhibition of bold and beautiful Moorcroft pottery should take place at Blackwell, a house built little more than a decade before William Moorcroft first set up his own factory in Stoke-on-Trent, and whose beautiful handcrafted decoration was, like that of Moorcroft, inspired by the observation and stylisation of plants and natural forms. The incredible skill of the master craftsmen working at the turn of the last century is evident not only in the brilliantly-carved flora and fauna that adorn Blackwell’s interiors, but also in the vibrant, flowing forms of the fruit, flowers and foliage that shimmer from the surface of Moorcroft pottery. Together, Blackwell and Moorcroft constitute Arts and Crafts-inspired workmanship at its very best, and this exhibition presents a wonderful opportunity for visitors to experience how well Moorcroft’s luminous pottery and Blackwell’s finely-carved interiors complement one another.

Suitable for

• Any age

Admission

Website

http://www.blackwell.org.uk/exhibitions/moorcroft-100-years-living-art-pottery

Glasgow Style: Arts & Crafts from 1890-1930

• 25 July — 31 December 2014

The end of the nineteenth century saw Glasgow’s artists emerge as accomplished and talented crafts people. Born at the highly influential Glasgow School of Art and blending together the imagery of the Celtic Revival with influences from Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts Movement, the term ‘the Glasgow Style’ was coined and came to represent this distinctive style developed in the west of Scotland.

This exhibition explores the unique skills of some of the leading makers associated with this period including Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Talwin Morris, Jessie Marion King, Ernest Archibald Taylor and Margaret and Frances Macdonald, showing the strength and prominence of Glaswegian Arts and Crafts.

Suitable for

• Any age

Admission

Website

http://www.blackwell.org.uk/exhibitions/glasgow-style-arts-crafts-1890-1930

Collections of Form

• 11 October 2013 — 16 March 2014 *on now

In an impressive, historic farmhouse, set amongst the hills of the North Yorkshire countryside, one man has amassed a collection of ancient sculpture and historic and modern art to rival of that of any museum. These antiquities, paintings and drawings are grouped around his home so as to interact both with one another and the exterior landscape seen from within.

This autumn, one of the beautiful domestic interiors at Blackwell will play host to a selection of these remarkable artefacts, capturing the sense of viewing them in their original setting and giving an exclusive peek into the owner’s private passion for collecting.

Suitable for

• Any age

Admission

Website

http://www.blackwell.org.uk/exhibitions/collections-form

Introduction to Arts & Crafts

• 11 April 2014 2-2:30pm

Blackwell is one of Britain's finest Arts & Crafts buildings. Join us for a 20 minute introduction to this important movement, its history and application at Blackwell.

Admission

Website

http://www.blackwell.org.uk/event/introduction-arts-crafts

Walking Tour: The Flora of Blackwell

• 15 March 2014 2-3pm

Looking at the wealth of floral decorative detail within the house: its woodwork, plasterwork and stained glass, which are rich with plant life. The tour will include the identification and botanical, horticultural and social interpretation of the many native and exotic plant forms and images used by Baillie Scott.

Suitable for

• Any age

Admission

Website

http://www.blackwell.org.uk/event/walking-tour-flora-blackwell

Meet the Curator

• 21 March 2014 2-2:30pm

An introduction to the House, its history and a look forward to what's coming up at Blackwell.

Admission

Website

http://www.blackwell.org.uk/event/meet-curator

Picasso and Co: Sherwin Ceramics

• 27 March — 21 June 2014

To coincide with British Surrealism Unlocked: Works from the Sherwin Collection at Abbot Hall, this small exhibition will showcase Dr Jeffery Sherwin’s stunning decorative arts collection. A wonderfully inventive pot by Pablo Picasso, bright, bold dish designs by Jean Cocteau and Desmond Morris, and a teapot by surrealist painter Samuel Haile are among the many varied delights this show has to offer.

Admission

Website

http://www.blackwell.org.uk/exhibitions/picasso-and-co-sherwin-ceramics

The Stories of Blackwell

• 4 April 2014 2-2:30pm

Find out more about the people who have called Blackwell home, including the wealthy Holt family, for whom it was designed, their staff and servants and evacuated school children during WW2.

Admission

Website

http://www.blackwell.org.uk/event/talk-stories-blackwell

Early Bird

• 17 — 18 April 2014 5-9pm

We will be inspired by buds, birds, nests and all things spring-like; you can also help with our spring clean by making feather dusters to make Blackwell even more beautiful!

Suitable for

• 7-10
• 14-15
• 11-13
• 16-17
• 5-6

Admission

Website

http://www.blackwell.org.uk/event/early-bird

Collections, Collectors and Curators

• 23 April 2014 10:30am-5pm

The current exhibitions at both Abbot Hall Art Gallery and Blackwell, The Arts & Crafts House, have been made possible because of a passion for collecting art and artifacts and are a reminder that human beings have always loved collecting! Are you an avid collector? What is it about your collection that you value? How do you store your objects? How do you display them and tell their story? This is a wonderful opportunity to bring your collections to the Lakeland Arts plinth where your display and stories will be photographed, documented and then uploaded onto the new Treasures of Cumbria project website.

The event is also taking place at Abbot Hall Art Gallery on Wednesday 16 April.

Admission

Website

http://www.blackwell.org.uk/event/collections-collectors-and-curators-0

A Family Holiday Home

• 25 April 2014 2-2:30pm

Blackwell was built as a holiday home for Sir Edward Holt, Lady Elizabeth Holt and their five children. Find out more about this period in the history of Blackwell and how it was designed to suit their needs.

Admission

Website

http://www.blackwell.org.uk/event/talk-family-holiday-home-0

Made like Moorcroft

• 26 April 2014 11am-4pm

Join artist Penny Hamspon to create your own tube line designed tile, inspired by the Moorcroft: 100 Years of a Living Pottery exhibition. The workshop will give people the opportunity to experience the tubelining decorative process in response to the exhibition, designing and decorating a ceramic tile using the process that has established Moorcroft as an Arts & Crafts institution.

See how Moorcroft pottery is made in this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=O96xEISWc_4

Admission

Website

http://www.blackwell.org.uk/event/made-moorcroft

Bright Young Blackwell

• 16 May 2014 7:30-11pm

Decadence comes back to Blackwell with a bang for one night only. Join us and a glittering group of party-goers as we celebrate the period when Blackwell was in full swing as a house for entertaining. Marvel at the new Steam Launch in the carriage court as you enter through the main door. With some fizz on arrival, a jazz band in the Main Hall and dance classes to get you moving, you will be in need of a cocktail on the lower lawn as the sun goes down across Windermere. There will be a fully licensed paying bar to cater for the thirsty. Dust off your glad rags and book onto this once in a lifetime offer at Blackwell.

Performance and Charleston dance classes are curated by Bees Knees www.londonsfinestflappers.com and Casablanca Steps will be providing the music on the night www.casablancasteps.co.uk

For conservation reasons dancing in stilettos will not be permitted in the Main Hall

Suitable for

• 18+

Admission

Website

http://www.blackwell.org.uk/event/bright-young-blackwell