Join us for the first ever festival celebrating all things Morris and more! This November we will be hosting a new and innovative festival celebrating the life, work and influence of William Morris - MorrisFest – which will be held at the Birmingham & Midland Institute. It will consist of lectures, panels, performances and craft demonstrations as well as our annual Kelmscott Lecture, our Christmas Artisan Market and the Useful & Beautiful Art Prize finalists which will be exhibited and winner announced.
Demonstrations
Neera Segal and Nicola Jarvis will be demonstrating their beautiful crafts of embroidery and Indian Woodblock Printing. Hear them talk about their work, see their art come alive in front of your eyes and perhaps even try it for yourselves.
Lectures
Academic speakers will be delivering lectures on various areas of Morris’ interests including: Imogen Hart, John Blewitt, Lynn Hulse, Annette Carruthers, John Stirling and representatives from SPAB, The Victorian Society, and the Pre-Raphaelite society.
Talks & Panel Discussions
A range of artists and artists will be speaking about how their contemporary work is inspired by the designs and ideals of Morris, these include; Orla Kiely, David Mabb, Jeremy Deller, Fishbone & Sycamore, Chloe Chia
Performances
Isabella Javor will be performing her solo musical play ‘Threads of May‘ written about May Morris. A beautiful homage to the work of a fascinating individual.
Welcome Reception
Join us on Friday evening at the BMI to celebrate the launch our first MorrisFest. Hear from our President, Sir Tristram Hunt speak on Morris, enjoy a private view of the finalists of the Useful & Beautiful Art Prize as well as the winner being awarded.
The Kelmscott Lecture
Professor Michael Robertson; whose Morris biography is forthcoming from Thames & Hudson, will be delivering this years annual Kelmscott Lecture entitled ‘Morris in Our Moment’. You can join in person or online.
The Useful & Beautiful Art Prize
A new award established by the William Morris Society to celebrate and support emerging artists, designers, and craftspeople whose work reflects the ideas and ideals of William Morris. The Prize is guided by Morris’s belief that art is both Useful and Beautiful, inseparable from everyday life, work, and nature.
Christmas Artisan Market
Much like our Artisan Market that we hosted at the society this July, we will be hosting a Christmas market at the BMI across the weekend of the festival. Expect beautiful hand-crafted items from artisans based in and around Birmingham and the Midlands. A perfect spot to get a useful and beautiful gift for your loved ones or indeed yourself!
