Celebrating 160 years of Art and Design
News
Celebrating 160 years of Bath School of Art and Design with Hot Springs events
Thursday, 12 October, 2017It’s the 1850s, London’s King’s Cross Station has just welcomed its first commuters, Queen Victoria has awarded the first sixty-six Victoria Crosses and the Bath School of Art and Design has opened its doors for the very first time.
Hot Springs of Art and Design - a series of events taking place from Saturday 14 until Monday 16 October - will lead you on a journey into the depths of Bath Spa University’s prestigious art and design teaching history spanning 160 years, inviting you to explore the ongoing influence and partnership of the University’s Bath School of Art and Design and the city of Bath, from the 1850s to present day.
Organised by Bath Spa University, alumni of the Bath Art Secondary School and the Bath and North East Somerset Council-run Victoria Art Gallery, the three-day event will guide visitors through famous Bath venues including the impressive setting of Corsham Court. The days will be comprised of a mix of walking tours, talks, exhibitions and interactive workshops for all ages.
A selection of work by students and staff will also be on display at the University Art Collection exhibition which will showcase pieces inspired by the city and region’s surroundings and encompass the skills developed through research, observation, reflection and practice.
With decades of the University’s art and design to discover, the event promises to be educational for all and this is the perfect chance to find out how Bath’s very own William Harbutt, and former headmaster of Bath School of Art (1874 – 1877), created the world-wide phenomenon that is plasticine.
The topic of education continues as Professor Anita Taylor, Executive Dean of the Bath School of Art and Design, and the first female head of the School, will be chairing a symposium with a stellar line-up of international artists, curators and historians including Gavin Turk and (from the U.S.) Sharon Louden. The panel will examine key questions about the past, present and future of art and design education and explore its influence on lives and subsequent careers of artists and designers.
Additional contributors include:
- Bath School of Art and Design’s Head of Research, Dr Graham McLaren
- Professor Mike Tooby whose distinguished curatorial career includes periods as the founding curator of Tate St Ives
- Leading British sculptor Professor Michael Pennie who has an active association as an artist and academic with the Bath School of Art and Design
- Curator Fiona Cassidy who has managed art institutions in the region and studied on the MA Curatorial Practice course at Bath School of Art and Design.
Dr Graham McLaren, who is currently completing a history of the School to be published by Wunderkammer Press, said: “The histories of Bath School of Art and Design and the City of Bath are inseparable. It was concerned citizens of the City who brought the School into being, agitating for its establishment and putting their hands in their pockets to fund it.
“We hope that the City is proud of the amazing array of art and design talent that the School has produced over the years, adding so much richness and diversity to the culture of Bath and beyond.
“Anyone looking to see just how much has been achieved in the area is welcome to come along to our celebrations as we reflect on memorable moments from the last 160 years and look ahead to the future of art and design and our continued reputation for excellence.”
Dr McLaren will also be sharing stories of years gone by and exploring the School’s strong heritage through a guided walking tour of sites related to Bath School of Art and Design from the 1850s to the present day.
Full listings can be found online at Bath Spa Live.