15/03/13
Today I visited Bilston Graft Gallery to meet up with Sophie McIntosh, the head curator and manger of the gallery.
I took a 20minute tram journey from Wolverhampton to the graft gallery, and was kindly given directions by those that shared the tram. Once I arrived at the gallery I discovered that it was attached to a library and later found out that both the craft gallery and library were opened together in 1937.
The Gallery wanted to have a focus on the industrial background of the city, the gallery still continues to do this today. The Gallery opened with a collection of paintings but since 2004 it has had a focus on industrial crafts, and often commissions craft makers.
The Craft Gallery is well integrated with the community and supports and part takes in local events such as Bilston in Bloom. The Gallery layout is divided by several different spaces. When first entering the gallery you walk into the gallery collections, that houses a range of works from local and international craft makers from different periods. The Gallery has everything from Victorian snuff boxes to brass jugs and newly commissioned works. This space then leads on to the resource room and then the main gallery space. This space is best described as a grand hall. The space has a large amount of open space as well as wall space. The space is lit by light but also has the option of natural light. This space host 4 to 5 major exhibitions a year. The collection space also leads onto the education space, that is aimed at 0 – 7 years olds.
Upstairs opens to a hireable gallery space for £120 pounds a month, and also has the option of hosting events and talks in the meeting space. This space is also tied in with the main gallery space.
In reflection the main gallery space, is second to none for the space and the light. sadly the space was empty when I visited so I didn’t get a sense of how it could be used for exhibition purposed.
However the next exhibition sounds rather exciting, this is entitled made in the middle. The show explores stories and myths generated from the Black Country.
In the afternoon I visit Bantock House, were I meet Helen, who is the head curator at the space.
Bantock House is originally a Georgian farmhouse known as New Merridale Farm and was built between 1730 and 1780.
In 1811 Thomas Herrick a barrister at Law was in residence and changed the house name to Merridale House. He also built an extension onto the front of house. He changed the house from a farmhouse to a more gentleman’s house. He created larger rooms and widened the staircase.
Thomas Bantock moved into the house in 1866. He was agent by trustees of the duke of Bridgewate estate. 1858 he setup his own transport company called Thomas Bantock and Company. He had interests in colliers and canals in the area. Thomas married Mary Dickinson in 1852 and by 1866 he had eleven children including twins, Alberta and Albert Baldwin, sadly Alberta died at the age of one. He later became an Alderman in 1868 and Mayor a year later. He served the town for 33 years. He was a non conformist and also established Tettenhall college.
In 1896 Thomas Bantock died and his second eldest son brought the house. His name was Albert Baldwin, he moved in with his wife Kate.
He also had an active interest in the Royal Hospital in Wolverhampton. He moved into the house in 1895. He also made further changes to the house the most significant being a 4 bay window in a very craft style, he is now considered to be a head of his time. He was elected as a Councilor for St James ward in 1900 and as Mayor in 1905, 1906 and 1914. Baldwin died in 1938 and the house became in possession to Wolverhampton Corporation.
The house is built up of a rich collection of English Porcelain and enamels, carved Chinese and Japanese Ivory figures.
