HANLEY SCHOOL OF ART

1847 - 1947

Free Library and School of Art, Hanley

Hanley School of Art at Haslehurst Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. The first move to establish an art school in Hanley was made by the neighbouring Mechanics' Institute in 1845, but it was only when a group of master potters became excited by the idea that it became a reality. Andin 1847, under the auspices of the London School of Design, the Potteries School of Design was founded. At first it consisted of two schools, one at Stoke Town Hall and the other in rooms at the British School, but the Hanley branch became independent in 1860. Classes were held at the British School building in Pall Mall, Hanley which was built in 1818 and the building in Pall Mall was enlarged in 1880 with the addition of a new storey which provided space for another two hundred students. Under the direction of Samuel Cartlidge (1882-1900) and his successor, George Cartlidge, the school reached a high standard of achievement, but, with the amalgamation of the Six Towns' art schools after Federation, the Hanley school lost ground to its rival at Burslem, and was eventually closed in its centenary year. The British School buildings have now been demolished. Suffolk artists who studied at Hanley School of Art include Herbert Ashwin Budd and Mabel Mary Spanton.