Thinking of Potter's Parlour and awaiting the 26th

Dear All

While we still have this title, I thought I'd fill in a little background. John Potter was a farmer who financed his sons Thomas, Richard and William to set up a textile warehouse in Manchester. Thomas and Richard in particular were key to the political scene in the early nineteenth-century and were radicals in favour of religious freedoms, free trade and parliamentary reform. Interestingly, in terms of political lineage, Richard (or Radical Dick as he was nicknamed) married Mary Seddon in 1815 and was the grandfather of Beatrice Webb (no relation). As far as the parlour was concerned, this was a back room called Potter's Planning Parlour where radicals met to discuss politics and ways of getting parlimantary representation for Manchester. I don't know the exact location though the Potter business was Cannon Street in Manchester. So, whatever you think of Benthamism (which was the key interest of the group!), we can still appreciate that under the banner of Potter's Parlour a dynamic interchange of ideas and theories about society happened. I'm looking forward to taking up the challenge again. If people are interested, most of the information came from the following source:

A. C. Howe, ‘Potter, Thomas Bayley (1817–1898)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008

See you on the 26th.

Making Conversation Invite

Hello all,

I am going to be carrying out my regular exhibition tour and workshops at Manchester Gallery soon and thought the potters parlour people may be interested in coming along

I have wanted to broaden the scope of participants attending my exhibition tour/workshops for some time now and as a result of the 'integrated' nature of my M.A events, I am pleased to say that Manchester Gallery are supportive of this move. Put simply I feel that a multi sensory approach to encountering an exhibition, and making in response to it, is potentially of interest to everyone as a new way of relating to art, not just designated audiences. Therefore the gallery are now marketing 'Making Conversation' to both visually impaired and sighted visitors.

If you attended 'What is a Sensory Intervention' the M.A events I recently carried out, I would like to point out that 'Making Conversation' will differ from that experience, because these are workshops, there will be support from me (if you want it) and a more informal feel in general.

Details of the format and dates are below.

Please spread the word and feel free to invite colleagues friends and family, I really hope you can join us.

11th March 1 - 4pm
The exhibition we will be looking at for these workshops is by Paul Morrison
'Using plant images from popular and classical sources, British artist Paul Morrison plays with scale to create dramatic black and white landscapes. This exhibition of his work includes new canvases, sculpture and a major site-specific wall painting.'

www.manchestergalleries.org

During this first session we will explore the exhibition through audio description, discussion and objects.

This is followed by tea /coffee and a chat in the eduction studio to work out what you would like to make in the following two sessions. What you chose to make is entirely up to you, including whether you chose to work individually or with others, in previous 'Making Conversations' work made has ranged from staging a futuristic furniture exhibition for half an hour, making aliens, and a balloon release. I will be on hand in sessions two and three to help and give suggestions if needed and will source the materials you want to use.

18th March 1 - 4pm
Making in the education studio plus tea and coffee

25th March 1- 4pm
Making in the education studio plus tea and coffee

it is strongly advisable to come to all three sessions to ensure you see the exhibition and have as much time as you need to make things, but you are still very welcome if you are only available for less.

Best wishes,

Naomi