Barewall Art Gallery Studio in Burslem is inviting families and visitors of all ages to celebrate the life and legacy of renowned Potteries artist, playwright and poet Arthur Berry with a special event for Heritage Open Days Festival 2025.
Running from Tuesday 16th to Friday 19th September (11am–4pm daily), the Arthur Berry: Discover & Colour Event will offer a fun, hands-on way to explore both Berry’s work and Burslem’s heritage through art and imagination.
Visitors can:
- Pick up a complimentary Arthur Berry–inspired Burslem Colouring Book to take home.
- Join relaxed drop-in colouring sessions in the gallery studio, exploring Berry’s mark-making, perspective, and creative techniques from the ground up.
This free, family-friendly event is suitable for all ages and provides an inspiring opportunity to connect with one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most iconic cultural figures.
Publications & Creative Resources
Alongside this activity, Barewall is also sharing other creative resources produced as part of Arthur Berry 100, offering families and individuals new ways to discover Berry’s legacy and Burslem’s heritage:
- Dandelions, a newly-published poetry book inspired by Arthur Berry.
- The Tin Chapel & Other Bits of Daft – an e-book video of Berry’s short story.
- A Ragged Richness, a monograph on Berry by Peter Davies (available to purchase).
Event Link:- https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/arthur-berry-s-burslem-discover-colour.html
A Sense of Place Exhibition
Still running until 21st September is ‘A Sense of Place’ Exhibition invites visitors to step into the world of one of Arthur Berry.
Located at the Barewall Studio, adjacent to the Barewall Art Gallery in Market Place, Burslem, the exhibition explores the evocative locations that shaped Arthur Berry’s creative legacy. Through rarely seen archive photographs, immersive sound recordings of Berry’s voice, and excerpts from his writings, poems and plays, ‘A Sense of Place’ brings to life the vivid world he so memorably portrayed.
A Sense of Place runs in parallel with this year’s Three Counties Open Exhibition, which is being hosted at Fenton Town Hall-having temporarily relocated from its usual home at Burslem School of Art due to ongoing works. In keeping with Arthur Berry’s deep-rooted connection to Burslem, Amanda Bromley and the Barewall team felt strongly that the exhibition should remain in the artist’s spiritual home. The show, now being held at Barewall Studio, is in the former PMT and café building—an iconic location that Berry himself frequented and fondly recalls in his autobiography, A Three and Sevenpence Halfpenny Man.
The exhibition is free to attend and is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–4pm. A specially curated selection of artworks and items from the Arthur Berry Estate will also be available to purchase from Barewall Art Gallery, offering visitors the chance to take home a piece of this powerful local heritage. No booking is required.
Date: Until 21st September
Times: 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday
Venue: Barewall Studio, next to the Barewall Gallery, 2-4 Market Place, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 4AT
Tickets: Free, no booking is necessary
Celebrating 100 Years of Arthur Berry
2025 marks 100 years since the birth of Arthur Berry—an extraordinary voice in 20th-century working-class art and culture. Best known for his paintings of everyday life in the Potteries and his poignant reflections on local identity, Berry left behind a legacy of deep artistic and social value.
The Arthur Berry 100 programme forms part of the city-wide Stoke-on-Trent 100 centenary celebrations, with exhibitions, performances, public art and community events shining a spotlight on Berry’s enduring contribution to art, literature and place.
This year-long programme has been made possible thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, using money raised by National Lottery players. It is delivered in partnership by New Vic Theatre, Barewall Gallery, Arthur Berry Estate, Victoria Theatre Archive, Claybody Theatre, Keele University, Three Counties Open Art Exhibition, Staffordshire Film Archive, and Appetite Stoke.
Amanda Bromley, Director of Barewall Art Gallery & Studio, said:
“Arthur Berry’s legacy is rooted in the lived experience of everyday people and places. With support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we’re thrilled to unveil this exhibition and series of walking tours, giving audiences new and meaningful ways to connect with his work. Whether you’re rediscovering Berry or discovering him for the first time, A Sense of Place offers a powerful and personal insight into the world he captured so vividly.”
Arthur Berry 100
Arthur Berry 100 is a year-long celebration taking place throughout 2025, marking the centenary of the birth of renowned Potteries artist, playwright and poet Arthur Berry, coinciding with Stoke 100, the city-wide programme commemorating 100 years since Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status. The yearlong schedule of exciting events taking place in the city of Stoke-on-Trent to celebrate Arthur Berry 100 can be viewed by visiting the website: https://www.arthurberry100.co.uk/upcoming-events.
