Red Rose Guild

Red Rose Guild
Formation1921; 103 years ago (1921)
Defunct1985
TypeCraft organisation
PurposeTo promote the importance of craftwork in modern society[1]
HeadquartersThe Whitworth, Manchester
Region served
UK
LeaderMargaret Pilkington OBE
AffiliationsCrafts Centre of Great Britain

The Red Rose Guild was a guild based in Manchester, with the aim to promote British arts and crafts.[2] It was “regarded as the most influential national outlet for makers”[3] in Britain during the first half of the twentieth century. The Guild was founded in 1921 by printmaker Margaret Pilkington, OBE, and remained active until 1985.[4] The Guild held annual exhibitions at Houldsworth Hall, part of what is now Hulme Hall, Manchester until World War II. Prominent members of the Guild included potter Bernard Leach,[5] silversmith Joyce Himsworth[6] and weaver Ethel Mairet.[7] After the war, the Guild moved its headquarters to Whitworth Hall. In 1950 the Guild joined the Crafts Centre of Great Britain.[8]

  1. ^ "Records of the Red Rose Guild". archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  2. ^ Sylvia (1955-10-25). "Why be shy of colour?". Lancashire Evening Post. Lancaster, UK. p. 8.
  3. ^ Backemeyer, Sylvia (2000). Making their mark: art, craft and design at the Central School, 1896-1966. London: Herbert Press. p. 113. ISBN 0713658622.
  4. ^ "Red Rose Guild". artbiogs.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  5. ^ Backemeyer, Sylvia (2000). Making their mark: art, craft and design at the Central School, 1896-1966. London: Herbert Press. p. 114. ISBN 0713658622.
  6. ^ "Why be shy of colour?". Lancashire Evening Post. Lancaster, UK. 1955-10-25. p. 8.
  7. ^ Coatts, Margot (1983). A Weaver's Life: Ethel Mairet, 1872-1952. London: Crafts Study Centre. p. 4. ISBN 0903798700.
  8. ^ Backemeyer, Sylvia (2000). Making their mark: art, craft and design at the Central School, 1896-1966. London: Herbert Press. p. 112. ISBN 0713658622.