Exciting new Pottery Studio opened in Birkenhead, Wirral - bringing back the spirit of Della Robbia - 18th May 2012

Janet Holmes, a Wirral potter (and a Cheshire woman of the year nominee) who has exhibited and taught on the Wirral for over 30 years opened the Rathbone Studio in Argyle Street, Birkenhead on Friday, 18th May 2012. 

Opened by the Mayor of Wirral, Gerry Ellis, the day was a huge success with over 70 people attending. Among those present were the Wirral Councils's Heritage Officer, Eileen Wilshaw and Colin Simpson, Curator of the Williamson art gallery (that houses Della Robbia pottery pieces).  A highlight of the afternoon was a reading of an extract of a new book based on the Della Robia Pottery by its author, Gladys Mary Cole.

Janet says, “I am so excited, Della Robbia represented the golden age of the town and became internationally renowned. When I realised that 28 Argyle Street was empty, I felt it was opening a door from the past that shines a light on the present community to express themselves.

Not only will I be exhibiting my own work but there will be workshops that give people the technical skills to produce their own work and offer an environment that allows individual creativity, Della Robbia was founded by Conrad Dressler and Harold Rathbone, so I am proud to bring the Rathbone name back to Argyle Street. My work is so far from the highly glazed Della Robbia style but by following in the footsteps of those great potters maybe I can be the shape of things to come." 

The potential to bring the sprit of the Della Robbia Pottery back to Birkenhead has been helped with the support of Methodist Housing and financial support through the Empty Shop Fund from the Wirral Borough Council. 

At the opening, and for the following week, visitors will be able to create their own piece of pottery. These taster sessions will hopefully show people how rewarding it is to create their own individual pieces; ceramics could once again put Birkenhead's unique expression on the map.

Della Robbia (1894 - 1906) was highly distinctive pottery created at premises in Price Street, Birkenhead and at 28 Argyle Street, Birkenhead.  It was inspired in part by the work of Luca della Robbia, the Florentine sculptor (1399 – 1482) who perfected a special pottery glaze. 

 For further information, please contact: 


Janet Holmes 

Rathbone Studio

28 Argyle Street

Birkenhead, Wirral. CH41 6AE

0790 333 7995


or visit the studio website:


www.rathbonestudio.com

For information on visiting The Wirral, please see www.visitwirral.com


Right: Janet Holmes with Wirral Mayor Gerry Ellis who opened the studio on 18th May 2012.