Arts & crafts learners exhibit at William Morris Society in Hammersmith

Arts, Crafts & Performing Arts

Arts & crafts learners exhibit at William Morris Society

Learners in our arts & crafts courses are showing off their works on the walls of famous craftsman William Morris.

The historic riverside home of Morris – Kelmscott House in Hammersmith – is now displaying local artists’ work alongside his world-class prints. The iconic arts society has carefully selected our student’s pieces for the second year in a row. 

Vanessa Manson from the William Morris Society said: “We're so honoured to be hosting the outstanding work of the students from the Macbeth Centre again this year. We chose pieces that displayed a wide range of skill, technique, and medium, but that also indicate the exciting direction that contemporary craft is taking. 

“We hope to continue to participate in the coming years to keep the spirit of William Morris and skilled craftsmanship alive.” 

Here at Macbeth, we offer dozens of arts and crafts classes, all taught by the best in the business – see the full list of courses on our website.

Exhibition unveiled

From jewellery to picture framing and pottery, the exhibition features a wide variety of beautiful pieces from our talented learners. 

Elena Sivachenko, 68, has been selected for a second year running. Last year, her silver blue enamel brooch – Blue Bells – sat on display in the museum. This year, she’s exhibiting her stunning stained glass, My love is like a red, red rose. 

“William Morris is such a big name in art history,” she said. “In every corner of the world, people know who he is. It's a great honour to be exhibited in the walls of this museum, where he lived, worked and printed his masterpieces. I feel very privileged, lucky and grateful to be a student at the Macbeth Centre.”

Her classmate Ruben Agocs’ gorgeous stained glass piece, Kayak Swimmer, is also being displayed. Ruben beamed at his art hung on the walls: “Oh I’m very proud to be exhibited here”. 

He’s also taking children’s illustration and pottery at the Macbeth Centre. His pottery won a prize at this year’s Arts & Crafts Exhibition.

Also being displayed is Gill Haynes’ oil on canvas painting, The Jaunty Angle, featuring a man wearing a bent hat. “I’m delighted! It feels like a real endorsement, and I think it’ll encourage us all to go and try that little bit harder,” she joked. “There’s such an amazing range of diverse work here. It shows just how varied the talents in the borough are.”

Remembering Tom and Joanna

There are tributes to two stained glass learners who sadly passed away this year, Tom Newton and Joanna Baldauf.

Tom was a long-time student, and his graffiti inspired piece is on display. His tutor, Tim Cunliffe, said: “Tom had been attending my stained glass for some years and got so much from the classes. His story really does exemplify the positive and beneficial aspects of adult education to wellbeing and mental health.”

Joanna regularly attended classes whilst undergoing arduous chemotherapy sessions. They meant a lot to her, and no doubt helped in coping with her health issues.  Her stained glass Scrap Scafitti – Rectangle is on display.  She was also awarded category winner in the 2023 arts & crafts student exhibition for her piece Daffodil Memorial.

Both Tom and Joanna will be missed by everyone who knew them at the Macbeth Centre. We are so happy to celebrate their creativity and achievements.

Plan your visit

You can check out the exhibition every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 2pm to 5pm, until Sunday 29 October. Tickets £3.50. 

The display is at the Coach House and basement of Kelmscott House, 26 Upper Mall, Hammersmith W6 9TA – home of the William Morris Society, established in 1955.