Art of the Industrial Revolution, and the Future of Heritage Crafts

When artist Mervyn Peake painted the interior of Chance Glassworks in the Smethwick, he created evocative images of the factory’s glassblowers, visually and poetically comparing them to dancers.

While the process of creation by these early industrial craftspeople is undoubtedly beautiful to behold, what can we learn from their depictions?

In this online event hosted by Chance Heritage Trust, our panel will discuss artistic depictions of heritage crafts, how different sectors developed during the Industrial Revolution, and introduce some of the people trying to save these crafts today.

In this online event, you'll get to:

• Hear from a panel of expert speakers
• Learn about the depiction of workers and their crafts in the Industrial Revolution
• Discover the stories behind the art by Mervyn Peake from inside Chance Glassworks
• Hear from some of the people trying to save heritage crafts today
• Ask questions in a live Q&A!

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Our panellists include:

• Malcolm Dick (University of Birmingham)
• Madeline Hughes (Glass Artist)
• Luke Perry (Public Artist at Industrial Heritage Stronghold)
• Mary Lewis (Heritage Crafts Association)

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ADDITIONAL INFO

Chance Conversations is a lively series of free, online webinars and panel discussions about the future of industrial heritage, in Smethwick and the wider area.

Taking place from 26 July – 04 August 2022, our speakers will explore some of the biggest current topics in industrial heritage, from different ways that industrial heritage can revive communities, to the global history and connections with empire that a town's most iconic industrial buildings can reveal.

The talks are being hosted by Chance Heritage Trust and DigVentures as part of #MadeinSmethwick - an ongoing programme of public events inspired by stories from Chance Brothers glassworks in Smethwick, and the ongoing mission to give this disused industrial building a new lease of life within its surrounding community.

Want to see more events?

VIEW THE FULL CHANCE CONVERSATIONS PROGRAMME:

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/the-future-of-industrial-heritage-661909

VIEW THE FULL #MADEINSMETHICK PROGRAMME

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/madeinsmethwick-212039

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HAVE YOUR SAY: HOW SHOULD OUR OLD INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS BE USED?

Chance Heritage Trust is on a mission to raise the cultural profile of Smethwick’s industrial heritage, and bring former industrial buildings – like the iconic Chance Glassworks – back into use within the community.

How would you like to see these buildings used? And, apart from living and working spaces, what kind of opportunities and facilities should they contain for community use?

This survey is part of a wider programme of community consultation, which will help to shape these plans.

Fill out this short survey to have your say!

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HCQXPSR

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THANKS TO…

This programme has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund.