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The Festival of Britain in the Black Country
Artsfest / Artsfest 2021 / The Festival of Britain in the Black Country
ArtsFest Online and the Black Country Studies Centre are pleased to present a series of events commemorating the 70 years anniversary of the Festival and its impact in the Black Country.
What do a javelin, a lighthouse and a ceramic porcupine all have in common? These are just three of the many Black Country made objects that featured in the 1951 Festival of Britain.
In this talk, BCLM researchers Simon Briercliffe and Jenny Gilbert explore some of the Black Country’s finest contributions to the Festival as well as how the Festival was celebrated in the region.
Numerous Black Country manufacturers were featured in Festival exhibitions – highlighting the innovative role of the region and the influence of Black Country industry in shaping consumer tastes. Meanwhile, closer to home, Dudley and Walsall hosted historical pageants, Stourbridge held an exhibition of glass and the businesses of Brierley Hill came together for a special parade. And Mrs Betty Morris of Smethwick won the regional heats of the hotly contended Festival Fare cookery contest.
Join Jenny and Simon for an entertaining glimpse at an unforgettable summer of Festival fun, with a distinctly Black Country twist.
Dr Jenny Gilbert coordinates the Black Country Studies Centre and is also a Researcher at the Black Country Living Museum. She previously lectured in design history and theory and continues to research mid-twentieth century working class dress.
Simon Briercliffe is a Researcher at the Black Country Living Museum, and a doctoral researcher in Black Country history at the University of Birmingham. His new book on the Black Country in the 1940s-1960s is published in July with History West Midlands.
This event was recorded on 22nd July 2021.
What do a javelin, a lighthouse and a ceramic porcupine all have in common? These are just three of the many Black Country made objects that featured in the 1951 Festival of Britain.
In this talk, BCLM researchers Simon Briercliffe and Jenny Gilbert explore some of the Black Country’s finest contributions to the Festival as well as how the Festival was celebrated in the region.
Numerous Black Country manufacturers were featured in Festival exhibitions – highlighting the innovative role of the region and the influence of Black Country industry in shaping consumer tastes. Meanwhile, closer to home, Dudley and Walsall hosted historical pageants, Stourbridge held an exhibition of glass and the businesses of Brierley Hill came together for a special parade. And Mrs Betty Morris of Smethwick won the regional heats of the hotly contended Festival Fare cookery contest.
Join Jenny and Simon for an entertaining glimpse at an unforgettable summer of Festival fun, with a distinctly Black Country twist.
Dr Jenny Gilbert coordinates the Black Country Studies Centre and is also a Researcher at the Black Country Living Museum. She previously lectured in design history and theory and continues to research mid-twentieth century working class dress.
Simon Briercliffe is a Researcher at the Black Country Living Museum, and a doctoral researcher in Black Country history at the University of Birmingham. His new book on the Black Country in the 1940s-1960s is published in July with History West Midlands.
This event was recorded on 22nd July 2021.
Artsfest 2021
January 2021 Recordings:
February 2021 Recordings:
April 2021 Recordings:
- Yam Cams: Photography in the Black Country
- Blown Away Winner Elliot Walker Demonstrates Hot Glass at the University of Wolverhampton
- HoPIN Webinar: Illustrated Print for Industry and Commerce
- All the Writing Selves We Have to Be - A Discussion on Writing Careers
- Masters in Conversation - Stephen Snoddy
May 2021 Recordings:
- Intellectual Property Series: Inspiration or Imitation? Copyright & Moral Rights in Artistic Works
- HoPIN Webinar: The Rise of Photographic Illustration 1839-80
- Your Future - Fashion and Textile Careers
- Revisiting a Tonic for the Nation: Introduction to the Festival of Britain
- Lyric Writing Master Class with Xidus Pain
- World IBD Day: When Art and Medicine Meet
- Paul Cox - His Illustrated Life and Career
- The Wrenna by R.M. Francis - Book Launch
- Intellectual Property Series: Intellectual Property and Photography - Creators, Owners and Licences
June 2021 Recordings:
- Intellectual Property Series: What’s in a Name: Trade Marks and Brands – Workshop
- British Art Show 9 and Socially Engaged Art
- In Conversation - Dr Louise Fenton and Artist Paul Cox
- Intellectual Property Series: Fashion, Textiles and Intellectual Property: Patchworks, Quilts or Veils?
- Intellectual Property Series: Intellectual Property and the Music Industry: Mapping the Maze
- Bilston Enamels: Talk and Q ∓ A
August 2021 Recordings:
September 2021 Recordings:
October 2021 Recordings:
- Trans and Non-Binary Representation in Musical Theatre with Andi Lee Carter
- Creative Futures - Lynsey Harris Designer Maker
- East Asian Representation in the Broadway Musical Allegiance
- Creative Futures: Jason Fernandes, 3D Designer ∓ 3D Design Lecturer
- Cultural Appropriation in Film, Music and Fashion Creative Industries
November 2021 Recordings:
- Black Representation in Musical Theatre
- Creative Futures: David Longworth Exploring Careers at the BBC
- South Asian Representation in Musical Theatre
- Ray Bradbury's The Illustrated Man at Seventy
- Creative Futures: VOiD Applications Web Design
- The Top Secret Poetry Notebook of Willis the Poet
- HoPIN Webinar: Illustrating Industry
- Creative Futures: Naomi Jacques Glass Artist
- Family Planning - The Lived Experience Through Art - Panel Discussion
December 2021 Recordings:
- Creative Futures: Nick Cohen Creative Director, Writer and Maker
- Why Bother? The Art of Disability: Practice Does Not Make the Perfect (Disrupting Bodies)
- How a Manchester Gallery Supports Disabled and Neurodivergent Artists
- Simon Briercliffe in Conversation with Professor Keith Gildart
- Creative Futures: Eighty3 Design, Web Design and Branding
- Poetry on Prescription: Creative Writing & Wellbeing
- The Art of Disability History: A personal view through NDACA (the national disability arts collection and archive)
- It’s An Artists Life: Talk with Artist Tanya Raabe
We are embracing Black History Month beyond the confines of a single month. Our intention is for Black History Month to transcend seasonality and 'tokenism’ so that the original initiative itself is eventually no longer required.
UK Disability History Month (UKDHM) is an annual event creating a platform to focus on the history of disabled people's struggle for equality and human rights.
LGBT+ History Month is a month-long annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans,
and non-binary history, including the history of LGBT+ rights and related
civil rights movements.
