William Morris was a frequent visitor to Manchester, and the only Morris & Co shop outside London was located on the city’s Albert Square. His now famous dictum: Do not have anything in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful, was first heard in Manchester, as was the first of his explicitly socialist lectures: Art, Wealth and Riches. Manchester was host to Walter Crane (Head of Design at the School of Art) and many other figures of national importance. However, in this well-illustrated talk Barry will also share recent research on lesser-known Manchester-based Arts and Crafts architects, artists and artisans who formed the Northern Art Workers’ Guild in the city. The Guild was unusual for its time in that women were active and equal members, holding office, giving talks and showing work at the Guild’s open exhibitions. Whilst the Guild was short-lived (1896-1912) its members and ideals played a key part in later initiatives, including the Red Rose Guild of Artworkers formed in Manchester in 1921.
Barry Clark is an experienced speaker and retired Manchester Metropolitan University lecturer with a life-long interest in the Arts and Crafts Movement. He is co-author of the recently published The Northern Art Workers’ Guild and the Arts and Crafts movement in Manchester. He is a craft bookbinder, chair of the Society of Bookbinders’ North West and North Wales region, and tutors bookbinding workshops for beginners at the Portico library in Manchester.
