Art Schools & Ceramics

The annual Reginald Haggar Lecture is presented this year by the Antiques Roadshow's Paul Atterbury. Paul tells us about the remarkable designers, artists and teachers associated with art, design and technical schools in the Potteries. Established in the 19th century to develop artists and designers for the ever-growing Pottery industry, many of these talented people became household names, including the 'Pottery Ladies' Charlotte Rhead, Susie Cooper and Clarice Cliff.

Reginald Haggar was himself a teacher and lecturer at the Art Schools of the Potteries and we are pleased to dedicate this event to art and design education.

The event is a collaboration between the Reginald Haggar Lecture Fund, Arts Keele and the Northern Ceramic Society with grant aid from the Raymond Williams Foundation to maintain free access. Donations are welcome when you book your tickets.

There are other related events that you may also attend on the day, free of charge:

11.30-12.30 The Northern Ceramic Society morning lecture- The Potteries-Crockery Importers and Dealers: Understanding Ceramic Production and Demand by Dr Neil Ewins, Westminster Theatre, Chancellor's Building

10.00-4.00 Arts Keele Exhibition: The Best for the Most in the life of Sir Roy Shaw, Chancellor's Building. Exhibition open 19 September – 31 October

Further information about these events can be found in the Agenda below.

Info: The annual Reginald Haggar Lecture is presented this year by the Antiques Roadshow's Paul Atterbury. Paul tells us about the remarkable designers, artists and teachers associated with art, desgn and technical schools in the Potteries. Established in the 19th century to develop artists and designers for the ever-growing Pottery industry, many of these talented people became household names, including the 'Pottery Ladies' Charlotte Rhead, Susie Cooper and Clarice Cliff.

Info: Dr Neil Ewins is an academic, researcher, museum curator and author. His expertise is in the field of trade, import/export and consumption of goods made in the Staffordshire and other British Potteries. His publications include 'Supplying the Wants of Our Yankee Cousins' which examines one of the most important markets for the Potteries' goods- the USA. Come and hear about his latest research about supply and demand, how taste was formed and the process of marketing and selling goods internationally. There is a forthcoming book on the subject too

Info: The Best for the Most in the life of Sir Roy Shaw: Lifelong learning, the arts, and inclusive opportunity
Keele University celebrates the distinguished life and career of Changemaker Prof Sir Roy Shaw (1918-2012) through an exhibition (19 September – 31 October) and a public lecture on October 5 2026.
Roy Shaw was Director of Adult Education at Keele University between 1962 and 1975. In 1975, he left to become Secretary General of The Arts Council when it was still a UK-wide organisation. He retired in 1983 having weathered a turbulent period of politics and funding cuts, while establishing vital, long-lasting pillars of arts and education policy.

Event venue & nearby stays

Westminster Theatre, Keele University, Newcastle-under-Lyme, United Kingdom

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