WalthamForest

William Morris Gallery

Last updated 17 May 2012
William Morris Gallery is closed for redevelopment until July 2012. We are currently developing a new website for the William Morris Gallery. Watch this space for more information.

The William Morris Gallery is changing

The William Morris Gallery is currently undergoing major redevelopment and will reopen in July 2012. The William Morris Gallery Development Project will transform the Gallery, which is set in Lloyd Park in Walthamstow, into a world-class cultural destination for Waltham Forest in time for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The project is being led by Waltham Forest Council, which has matched a £1.5 million award from the Heritage Lottery Fund to refurbish and extend the grade II* listed building, which was Morris's family home from 1848 to 1856.

We are currently developing a new website for the William Morris Gallery. Watch this space for more information.

William Morris exhibition at Leyton Library

Whilst the William Morris Gallery is closed for redevelopment, discover Leyton's special connection with William Morris and find out more about the William Morris Gallery Development Project at this free exhibition at Leyton Library, High Road, Leyton E10 5QH.

William Morris: Designer, Craftsman, Local Celebrity is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm until 8 August 2012. The centrepiece of the exhibition is the magnificent Peacock and Bird carpet, donated to the Gallery in 2010 by The Monument Trust. Visitors can also view a new architectural model of the William Morris Gallery. An exciting programme of free family activities, plus evening events for adults, accompanies the exhibition.

School visits to William Morris at Leyton Library exhibition

This one room display offers an accessible introduction to Morris for school students. Self-led group visits are welcome. Maximum group size in 15 but groups can be split with an introductory visit to the Library downstairs.

Resources to download

William Morris Teachers' Pack - this contains guidance and information to support teachers organising their own visit.

Collage Activity Sheet on symmetrical design (Key Stage 2). Materials, copies of the activity sheet and clipboards are available in the display.

To book visits to the display or to Leyton Library contact lib.leyton@walthamforest.gov.uk 

For more information on the resources or for help in planning your visit contact Sharon Trotter, Learning and Outreach Officer for the William Morris Gallery on sharon.trotter@walthamforest.gov.uk

 

The William Morris Gallery Development Project

The William Morris Gallery is the only public Gallery devoted to the Victorian designer, craftsman and social campaigner William Morris, and it is home to an internationally-significant collection illustrating his life, achievements and continuing influence.

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 to suit everyone from experts to families and school groups.

The Gallery facilities are being improved. The refurbished building will be fully accessible, with lift access to all floors and an accessible entrance. There will also be a new special exhibition gallery, an improved shop, and a Wi-Fi enabled Tea Room with stunning views over the newly-refurbished Lloyd Park.


Learning and research

The top floor of the Gallery is being 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.

Funding and donations

The total cost of the project is £5 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
  • The J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust
  • The Leche Trust
  • The Radcliffe Trust
  • The Heritage of London Trust
  • The Kathy Callow Trust
  • The Allchurches Trust
  • The Mercers' Company
  • The Drapers' Company

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 have almost £600,000 to raise so please show your support and make a donation that reflects what this Gallery means to you.

A donation of:

  • £5 will digitise an image for our website
  • £50 will help buy craft workshop materials
  • A £500 gift will help conserve an original artwork
  • And £5,000 will help create a major new display

Donate online

Visit the Friends of the William Morris Gallery website to make an online donation via PayPal.

Text message

You can donate up to £10 by text message.

Text FWMG11 £__ inserting the amount you want to donate to 70070.

For example, to donate £10 text FWMG11 £10 to 70070.

For donations over £10 please use an alternative method.

Cheque

Please make cheques payable to 'The Friends of the William Morris Gallery' and send with a completed donation form to:

John Philpott
Honorary Treasurer
The Friends of the William Morris Gallery
50 Cranston Gardens
Chingford, London, E4 9BQ

Cheques can also be dropped off at:

Vestry House Museum
Vestry Road
Walthamstow E17 9NH.

Download the William Morris Gallery donation form (210KB Word file)

If you pay income tax, please also complete a Gift Aid form as this will significantly increase the value of your gift - at no cost to you.

Download the William Morris Gallery Gift Aid form (23KB Word file)

Cash

Donations can be dropped off with a completed donation form at our partner museum, Vestry House Museum, Vestry Road, London E17 9NH. Forms are also available at Vestry House Museum.

Get involved

Volunteer opportunities

Join our team and get involved in helping to deliver the William Morris Gallery Development Project behind the scenes, whilst the Gallery is closed to the public. A variety of volunteer opportunities is available enabling you to develop new skills and meet a wide range of people. Reliability, enthusiasm and a passion for our collections are the only requirements.

Please contact us to find out about you may get involved.

Join the Friends of the William Morris Gallery

The Friends of the William Morris Gallery (UK registered charity No. 800513) was founded in 1988 and plays an invaluable part in supporting the Gallery. As a Friend you will receive a range of benefits including a quarterly newsletter and invitations to lectures, private views and visits. By becoming a Friend you will be helping to maintain the high standards of this unique Gallery.

Visit the Friends of the William Morris Gallery web page.

Stay informed

You can get the latest information about the William Morris Gallery Development Project via Facebook and Twitter. Also see Flickr for the latest project photos:

Newsletter

To sign up for our quarterly newsletter please email us:

  • Your full name and email address
  • Or your postal address if you would prefer to receive the newsletter by post

Mailing list information will be held on computer by Waltham Forest Council for the purpose of mailing items of interest to you relating to the Gallery.

The information given will not be used for any other purpose or shared with any other parties.



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