The William Morris Gallery is being transformed into a world-class cultural destination where people of all ages will enjoy and be inspired by the life, work and extraordinary influence of William Morris.
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Your new Gallery
In planning the William Morris Gallery Development Project we spoke to visitors and local residents and you told us how you would like us to improve the Gallery to make it into an exciting, inspiring place for everyone to learn about Morris and enjoy the collection.
The Grade II* listed building will be completely refurbished and there will be a new extension of architectural merit designed by Pringle Richards Sharratt architects, who are also leading on the exhibition design. Building work will commence from July 2011. Here are some of the ways this will improve your visit.
Exploring the collection
When the Gallery reopens in July 2012, more of the outstanding collection of textiles, wallpapers, ceramics, glass, furniture, stained glass, books and fine art will be on display. The new displays will be interactive, with different levels of information for everyone from experts to families and school groups.
Through the collection, visitors will explore Morris’s early life in Walthamstow, his Oxford University days where he became involved with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood of artists, and his early, collaborative experiments in art, craft, architecture and interior decoration.
Hands-on interactives will introduce visitors to the arts and crafts techniques used by Morris & Co., including weaving, printing, dyeing, knotting carpets by hand and designing patterns from nature, as illustrated in this detail from his 'Daisy' design. Morris frequently used older, traditional techniques rather than modern ones, as he felt they resulted in better quality products. He was also inspired by craft practices from Asia and elsewhere.
During his lifetime, Morris was most famous as a poet. A new gallery will explore the diverse stories which inspired Morris – from classical legends to the Icelandic sagas – as well as his quest to design and print a perfect book. Morris was also a tireless campaigner and Socialist. This side of his work will be examined through a combination of stunning audiovisuals and iconic objects, including the satchel he carried to political rallies up and down the country stuffed with Socialist pamphlets.
Morris is known today as the father of the Arts and Crafts movement. The refurbished Arts and Crafts room will enable us to show regularly changing displays of material from our extensive Arts and Crafts collection. Morris’ continuing legacy will also be explored through a programme of major exhibitions in a new, purpose built temporary exhibition space.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a regularly updated display of paintings and prints from the Gallery’s substantial collection of works by Sir Frank Brangwyn RA, who worked for Morris.
Learning and research
The top floor of the existing building will be transformed into a dedicated learning and study space. This will include wet and dry craft studios for schools and community groups, a seminar room and a library, which will enable us to provide excellent research facilities for scholars and students.
New resources for teachers will also be available and we will be offering a varied and exciting programme of activities, events and outreach for children and adults.
The William Morris Tea Room
You will be able to relax in the new wi-fi enabled Tea Rooms with a cup of tea and a slice of cake – or why not join us for lunch on the beautiful new terrace overlooking Lloyd Park?
Funding
The total cost of the project is almost £5.2 million. The project has been made possible by a major grant of over £1.5 million by the Heritage Lottery Fund matched by £1.5 million from the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
We are grateful to the following trusts and foundations for their support.
- Clothworkers Foundation
- Foyle Foundation
- Garfield Weston Foundation
- The Monument Trust
- The Wolfson Foundation
- Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
- Textile Society
- The Pilgrim Trust
We have also received generous donations from the Friends of the William Morris Gallery, who have been supporting the fundraising effort, and from individuals.
We still need your help! Find out how you can support us.
William Morris Gallery
Lloyd Park
Forest
Road
Walthamstow E17 4PP
Tel 020 8496 4390
Email wmg.enquiries@walthamforest.gov.uk
