Tin Sheds

And what a world-wide line-up it is, from the latest news about terracotta exports in the US, to a new take on gothic revival tiles in Dutch architecture, and Japanese attempts to remake fashionable English tile designs, to a deeper look at the cultural implications of design and technology transfer. And all in one day, Saturday 12th November 2011! Check out the conference website and BOOK NOW for a discounted price. See you there.

Check out the conference website for a look at the first provisional programme, complete with abstracts of several papers. Should be a great day!

You too can take part in Exporting Stoke and Beyond, it’s not too late. You have until 16 June to submit your abstract, see the website for details. Already we have submissions on Japanese ‘Victorian’ tiles, Stoke influences on European tile production, and Pilkington’s tile exports and exhibitions, amongst other topics. And that’s apart from the keynote speakers! We’d definitely like to see more on the subject of exhibitions, so if that’s your thing, get that abstract in.

It’s good to know the conference is generating momentum – we’ve already had expressions of interest from as far afield as Australia, France and the USA, with abstracts for the short papers offered on tiles from Spain, Portugal, America, Japan and England. There’s still time to submit an abstract (see the conference website), closing date mid-June.

See the conference website www.exportingstoke.org.uk for the downloadable booking form. Get in early for the cheaper rate!

See the Conference website  for details. Booking form soon available.

Exporting Stoke and Beyond: Tiles and architectural ceramics in the world context

A one day conference on Saturday 12 November 2011 at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent

Presented by the Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society

During the mid 19th century Britain was not only the world’s leading imperial power, but was also its foremost exporter of architectural ceramics. The expansion of British territories led to the construction of many public and ecclesiastical buildings displaying the best of British design in ceramic terms.

The conference draws its inspiration from this export of British design and culture, and seeks to explore its consequences for the manufacturing industries of Stoke and beyond, for Britain, and for the former Empire.

The conference will be of interest to ceramic and cultural historians, archivists and curators, and to anyone with an interest in the histories of Stoke-on-Trent, the British tile industry, British manufacturing industry in general, and the British Empire.

Keynote Speakers

The three keynote speakers will be announced shortly.

Call for Papers

We welcome proposals (maximum 300 words) for papers of 20 minutes duration that address any aspect of British tile and architectural ceramic exports in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Suggested themes include – but are not restricted to – the following:

Tiles and architectural ceramics at international exhibitions

Studies of specific buildings

Effects of British design culture abroad

Stoke’s foreign heritage

Export of memorial tiles

Ceramic exports and the Empire

Please submit proposals to Dr Lynn Pearson by email on lynnpearson2@btinternet.com by 16 June 2011. Prospective speakers will be notified of the outcome by 1 August 2011.

Watch this space for further details of the conference, including how to book places, which will be posted early in 2011.

Go to www.tilesoc.org.uk for the TACS website and www.exportingstoke.org.uk for the Conference website