Bilston Craft Gallery facts for kids
Facade of Bilston craft Gallery.
|
|
| Established | 1937 |
|---|---|
| Location | Mount Pleasant, Bilston, West Midlands |
| Type | Arts and Crafts |
The Bilston Craft Gallery is a special place in Bilston, West Midlands. It's the biggest gallery in the West Midlands that focuses only on crafts! You can find it on Mount Pleasant, close to Bilston town centre.
The Gallery Building
How Old is the Building?
The building where the gallery is now was built in 1905. It was a two-storey stone house. A family named Harper, who made locks, lived there first. Before that, an older house called Brueton House stood on the same spot. It was built in 1818.
What Was the Building Used For?
From 1918 to 1930, the house was used as the Bilston Girls High School. After the school moved to a bigger place, the house was changed. A large new part was added to the back. From 1937 until the 1990s, this building was home to the Bilston Art Gallery and Museum. Today, the building also has the Bilston Library inside.
History of the Gallery
When Did the Gallery Open?
The Bilston Art Gallery and Museum first opened its doors in 1937. A famous person named Professor Thomas Bodkin officially opened it. He was the first director of the Barber Institute of Fine Arts in Birmingham.
How Did the Collection Start?
The gallery's first collection came from William Thompson. He used to live in Bilston but later moved to Colwyn Bay, Wales. In 1937, he gave about one hundred paintings to the gallery. Over the years, the gallery showed art by local artists. It also received many gifts and built a large collection. This collection included local art and items about the area's history.
Changes in the 1990s
In the 1990s, things changed for cultural places in the area. The gallery's collection was moved to the Wolverhampton Art Gallery. The Bilston Museum then became the Bilston Craft Gallery. Today, it is part of the Wolverhampton Arts and Museums Service. It still shares the building with the Bilston Library.
What Can You See at the Gallery?
Permanent Exhibitions
The Bilston Craft Gallery has a permanent exhibition called 'Craftsense'. This display shows items from local industries from the 1700s. It also features new art pieces made using similar old techniques.
Bilston Enamels
A big part of the 'Craftsense' display is almost one hundred Bilston enamels. These are special artworks made with a shiny, glass-like coating. In the 1990s, these enamels were moved to Bantock House. Many people were upset about this. But in 2005, they were brought back when the 'Craftsense' gallery opened. The Bilston enamels here, along with those at Bantock House, form a huge collection. It's one of the largest, second only to the Victoria and Albert Museum!
Temporary Exhibitions and Learning
The gallery often has new, temporary exhibitions. These shows feature modern craft works by different artists. The gallery also offers many ways to learn for people of all ages. You can even access the Crafts Council Photostore. This has pictures of over a thousand talented designers and makers. There's also a creative gallery called 'Craftplay' made just for young children.
Community Art Space
The 'First Floor Gallery' is a space that groups or individuals can rent. They can use it to show their own art and craft exhibitions.
The Gallery Garden
Behind the gallery, there's a large garden filled with different flowers. You can also find several craft works in the garden. These include two wooden dragons carved by Graham Jones. There's also a circle of stone sculptures.
