A new contemporary art programme is set to reimagine the legacy of porcelain.
The Museum of Royal Worcester has announced a two-year scheme, funded by Arts Council England, which will bring together artists, students, and the wider public in a fresh exploration of the city’s world-renowned ceramic heritage.
The museum has received funding through the National Lottery Project Grants Unlocking Collections scheme to enable it to launch a contemporary art programme titled "Under the Glaze: Reviewing Worcester Porcelain’s Art and Design," connecting historical craftsmanship with modern ideas and community engagement.
Kate Travers, director of the Museum of Royal Worcester, said: "Thanks to National Lottery players, we are thrilled to receive support from Arts Council England to unlock these new stories.
"Worcester porcelain has a remarkable history of creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation, and today these objects continue to inspire new ideas.
"This project allows us to connect historic skills with contemporary skills and communities, creating new ways for people to explore, question, and enjoy Worcester porcelain’s art and design heritage."
The programme will feature collaborations with two ceramic artists, alongside participation from art and design students at Heart of Worcestershire College and the University of Worcester.
Community groups and former Royal Worcester factory artists will also contribute.
The first exhibition, "Ornament Unbound: Tissue Transferware Reframed," will open to the public on September 10.
It will showcase the work of Worcestershire-based artist Lisa Sheppy, whose practice is rooted in material innovation and historical research.
Ms Sheppy has extensively studied the museum’s archives and completed a PhD at the University of the West of England on tissue transferware, an industrial ceramic technique first introduced at the Worcester porcelain factory in the 1750s.
Her exhibition will blend traditional ceramic printing with digital drawing and laser engraving, forming a creative bridge between past and present.
Ms Sheppy said: "Tissue transferware is a fascinating meeting point between craftsmanship, technology and cultural exchange.
"I am thrilled to bring this to life through my new exhibition Ornament Unbound: Tissue Transferware Reframed.
"I hope to open up this historic technique to new audiences and show how these skills can inspire contemporary creative practice."
The exhibition will run until February 21 and will feature artist demonstrations, giving visitors an inside look at the creative process.
A series of hands-on workshops will also be offered.
Ms Sheppy said: "I am delighted to be working with students from Heart of Worcestershire College, to offer opportunities to experiment with ceramic design, and discover the stories behind Worcester porcelain."
In March 2027 the second exhibition will launch.
Artist Matt J Smith will create new work exploring Worcester’s iconic figurines as a starting point for conversations about identity, representation, and cultural exchange.
The Museum of Royal Worcester cares for over 10,000 ceramic objects and more than 100,000 archive records, preserving the stories of the designers, artists, craftspeople and communities behind one of Britain’s most significant porcelain manufacturers.
For more information, visit www.museumofroyalworcester.org/whats-on.
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