A giant teapot sculpture has been unveiled to celebrate the city’s world-famous porcelain history.
Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Louis Stephen, cut the ribbon to open a new sculpture of a giant teapot in their courtyard at The Museum of Royal Worcester, Royal Porcelain Works on Saturday, September 16th.
Called the ‘Teapot of Stories,’ it has been made possible with the generous support from the Kildare Trust and Bransford Trust, and celebrates Worcester’s porcelain heritage in the regenerated ‘porcelain quarter.’
The sculpture was created by artists Ron Thompson and Julie Edwards of Planet Art and the design was shaped by workshops involving pupils at local primary and high schools in the city, as well as community groups and residents living in the regenerated factory site.
In September, city residents enjoyed an all-ages Courtyard Sculpture Celebration at the Museum, a full day of creative activities at the museum off Severn Street.
Sophie Heath, museum director, said:
“The rain held off and local residents and community groups, including the Monday Night Club, enjoyed meeting our teapot sculpture artists, and getting hands-on with artist-led creative activities in our Pop-up Museum, making a clay teapot and decorating a coaster.
Lots of city residents and former Royal Worcester workers enjoyed tea-tasting and sharing memories and stories about ‘The Porcelain’ and what this area means to them today.”
Oral history producer Julia Letts, gave a fascinating talk on ‘Anecdotes from the Archive’, sharing stories and memories from former Royal Worcester workers that Julia interviewed just before the factory closure. Julia will be a guest on our upcoming series of Winter Talks, find out more.
Worcester City Council’s Life Stories team were involved sharing photographs and memories from ‘Know Your Place, Worcester’, the interactive website platform.
Author and local historian, Colin Millett launched and signed copies of his new book on Royal Worcester painter Harry Davis, widely regarded as one of the ‘greats’ of the twentieth century.
While as part of Worcester Mela’s Melting Pot project, Balbir Singh Dance company performed the story of ‘Tea Leaves’ with Mohiniattam dancer, Hita Sasidharan, Kathak Dance Artist, Jaymini Sahai, Aniruddha Mukherjee Bhai on Tabla, and visual artist, Louise Grimsby sketched a teapot full of stories and painted with tea.
