Charlotte Preston does some much needed archive research work for us here at East Street Arts. So when she told us about an exhibition her and the other MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies students were putting on, we wanted to spread the word.

Venue: The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery
Parkinson Building, Woodhouse Lane, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT
Opening Times
Monday 17th October – Monday 12th December
Monday – Saturday (10am – 5pm)

This intriguing exhibition has been curated by MA Art Gallery and Museum Study students, studying at the University of Leeds, and explores Britain’s obsession with tea and beer. You will find the exhibition in the Education Room of The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery, in The Parkinson Building. Through locally-produced ceramics, the display looks at trends in 18th century drinking cultures and compares the social implications of taking tea in the parlour or enjoying a pint in the tavern.

“We are all so excited to have had this fantastic opportunity and are really proud with what we had achieved”
Clara Woolford, project manager.

Although the purpose and origin of the designs of many of the pieces on display may seem obvious to contemporary viewers, there are a few surprises. For example, a pearlware mug, painted in an oriental style, depicts a typical British landscape featuring grazing sheep and mill chimneys; a scene reminiscent of a 19th century Yorkshire. Also, rather than being a coffee mug as one would expect, it was actually used for drinking beer! Come along to find out more about the fashions, rituals and morals of 18th century drinking cultures.

This display is part of a collaborative project between MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies students and The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery.

For more information on the exhibition, please contact Clara Woolford at  jh08cew [at] leeds.ac.uk
Alternatively, you can visit the Facebook group for the event here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=161531787275263