Potters – A Celebration exhibition at the Hilton Garden Inn
An exhibition inspired by Stoke-on-Trent’s pottery industry and the work of a local poet – and former pot bank worker – is to be on display at an event taking place at the premier Hilton Garden Inn this month.
“Potters – A Celebration” features work by ceramic artist Reiko Kaneko and will take place at the Hanley venue at the Smithfield estate on Sunday 25 October.
All of the work featured has taken inspiration from poet, John Lancaster and the acclaimed poet collection – Potters: A Division of Labour – which won the inaugural Arnold Bennett Book Prize in 2017.
John – who grew up on Biddulph Moor also worked as a pottery worker at Meakins in 1964 – which is what inspired him to craft the poems in the first place.
(Images the Hilton Garden Inn)
“After learning that Meakins in Tunstall had been demolished in the 1970s, I started to question why the pot banks were closing down and I just wanted to celebrate those people who worked there so I started to write the poems,” said John.
“In 2016 I published my book and then in 2017, I won the inaugural Arnold Bennett Book Prize. It was in 2023 when I had another full sequence out and the poems formed a part of that as well, then two years ago Reiko contacted me to say she wanted to create some ceramics inspired by my poems and now we are doing this lovely event together.”
John added: “It’s nice to come back to do something and it’s important for me to do.
“I think it’s important to remember what you were a part of and it helps me to make sense of what my life has been and still is.
“From going to Hanley High School on the school bus, I have had that visual of the pot banks in the background – it’s always been there and for me it’s really nice to see my poems and what they mean go on display in this form working with Reiko.”
John will be reading some of his poems for the event at the Hilton Garden Inn on Sunday 25th October, as well as sharing the history of his work.
Reiko will also be speaking at the event – which is free to attend and starts at 3pm.
“It’s good to do an event in person and I am really looking forward to it – it will be really nice,” said Reiko, who is known for her hand-crafted fine bone china designs.
“I lived in Stoke-on-Trent for five years and the City endeared me. The people and the poems about the factories have all helped with the characters I have created to share an accurate picture of working in the pottery industry.”
Ben Carey General Manager at the Hilton Garden Inn, said: “We are ideally situated within the cultural quarter on the Smithfield estate, and near to major local landmarks, which makes it really exciting to be able to welcome both Reiko and John for this special event to celebrate our potteries heritage.
“Both John and Reiko have connections to Stoke and it is really important for us to celebrate our City and share the incredible work of those who are linked to the area and everything Stoke-on-Trent is about. We cannot wait to welcome everyone on the 25th.”
Potters: A Division of Labour starts at 3pm and finishes at 5:30pm on Sunday 25 October.
To register a free place please follow this link
Potters: A Celebration Tickets, Sunday, October 25 • 3 PM – 5:30 PM | Eventbrite
