Wedgwood Public Programs

Presented by Townsville City Galleries. Created by the V&A – touring the world.

Exclusive to Australia in 2025, Wedgwood: Artists and Industry showcases highlights from over 200 years of Wedgwood ceramics and design — straight from the UK’s Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A).

Experience Wedgwood: Artists and Industry through an exciting array of public programs!

Taste, place and tradition: Wedgwood in the expanded field

Artist, curator and writer Glenn Barkley will talk about his long-standing interest in Wedgwood and the influence it has had on his practice as author and curator.

• Date: Friday 2 May 2025
• Time: 6 to 7pm
• Age: 18 years and over
• Cost: $15 ($10 for Friends of the Galleries), including nibbles
• Location: The Brewery Event Space

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Wedgwood Inspired Cup Making Extravaganza! (Sold Out)

Join Glenn Barkley for a cup-building workshop, where he will demonstrate the use of sprig and press moulds as well as show participants how to make their own simple sprig moulds.

• Date: Saturday 3 May
• Time: 10am to 4pm, including a 1 hour lunch break
• Age: 18 years and over
• Cost: $40 ($28 for Friends of the Galleries), including lunch and Gallery access from 10am to 1pm.
• Location: Wedgwood Workshop Space, Shop 7, 261-263 Flinders St

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Tropical Leafware (Saturday is Sold Out)

A workshop with Johanna Wiggers

Join local artist Johanna Wiggers for a ceramic workshop inspired by Wedgwood’s iconic majolica leafware. You are invited to hand-build a ceramic dish and create your own unique leaf design using local flora.

Why not make the Saturday workshop a special Mother’s Day occasion? Take part in the workshop with your mother, visit the Wedgwood exhibition and then book an afternoon tea at Restaurant 1889 at The Brewery to experience the distinct pleasure of dining on Wedgwood.

• Dates: Friday 9 May and Saturday 10 May (Saturday is Sold Out)
• Time: 10am to 12noon
• Cost: $40 ($28 for Friends of the Galleries) including Gallery access from 10am to 1pm.
• Age: 16 years and over
• Location: Wedgwood Workshop Space, Shop 7, 261-263 Flinders St

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Wedgwood Symposium

Join us for a morning of all things Wedgwood, with industry experts Alastair Blanshard and Timothy Roberts.

• Date: Saturday 14 June
• Time: 10am to 12:30pm
• Age: 18 years and over
• Cost: $40 ($28 for Friends of the Galleries), including morning tea
• Location: The Hotel Grand Chancellor

The World of Wedgwood and the Rediscovery of Antiquity

Join Professor Alastair Blanshard as he explores the eighteenth-century fascination with antiquity, from Grand Tour adventures to neoclassical design, uncovering the bold figures – scholars, scoundrels, and forgers – who shaped the era and fuelled the demand for Josiah Wedgwood’s iconic pottery.

Breaking the Mould: how Wedgwood changed ceramics

In this talk art historian Timothy Roberts will explore how Wedgwood has embraced tradition and change during its 265-year history, richly illustrated by many highlights of Wedgwood’s production, from iconic pieces to lesser-known jewels and even playful variations on familiar themes.

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School Tours

Townsville City Galleries invites your school to Wedgwood. We are offering guided tours to schools for the Wedgwood: Artists and Industry exhibition!

• Options: There are two options available:
  1. guided tour
  2. guided tour plus a workshop with a local artist (year 9 and over only).
• Note: Bookings essential, spaces limited, minimum two week’s notice required.

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Group Tours

Townsville City Galleries is pleased to offer guided tours of Wedgwood: Artists and Industry for groups of 5 participants and above.

Tours will last 30 to 45 minutes and will give patrons an overview of the exhibition on display.

• Cost: Ticket price (be it standard, concession, etc.) plus $5 per person tour charge.
• Note: Bookings essential, minimum two weeks of notice is required.

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Art Escape School Holiday Workshops

High Tea Paints

• Dates: Tuesday 1 to Friday 4 July 2025 (July School Holidays)
• Four sessions daily:
  1. 10 to 10:30am
  2. 10:30am to 11am
  3. 11am to 11:30
  4. 11:30 to 12pm
• Location: Wedgwood Workshop Space, Shop 7, 261-263 Flinders St
• Note: Free, all ages, drop-in, maximum numbers apply, first come, first serve attendance.