William Shakespeare and Mid-Century Art and Design

Overview

Discover William Shakespeare and mid-century modern art and design in Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwickshire.  

Through the buildings, artefacts and public art in a town most famous for its timber-framed buildings and pastoral riverside setting, this day school explores Shakespeare’s material heritage as interpreted by the émigré and refugee artists and designers of the 1930s diaspora.

Using recent scholarship on the artists and designers who brought European design training and innovation to Britain in the years before the start of World War II in 1939, it uses the material heritage of Shakespeare to look at how these men and women transformed art and design in Britain.

During a day of lectures and directed discussions, we will consider new ways of thinking about modern design and the innovations of the mid-twentieth century in this most traditional of heritage towns as well as engaging with the work of artists and designers including Tibor Reich, Fred Kormis and Paul Vincze, all of whom made extraordinary contributions to the material culture of William Shakespeare, taking inspiration from his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon. 

Please note: this event will close to enrolments at 23:59 BST on 19 June 2024.

Programme details

9.45am:
Registration at Rewley House reception

10am:     
Lecture: mid-century modern in the Midlands

11.15am:
Tea/coffee break

11.45am:     
Group discussion: Stratford-upon-Avon and the Shakespeare quatercentenary: a heritage town in 1964

1pm:
Lunch break

2pm:     
Lecture: William Shakespeare and Tibor Reich: a case study

3.15pm:       
Tea/coffee break

3.45pm:    
Group discussion: William Shakespeare and mid-century modern

5pm:     
End of day

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee (includes tea/coffee) £99.00
Baguette Lunch £6.50
Hot Lunch (3 courses) £17.60

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit or are a full-time student in the UK you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees.

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Cathryn Enis

Dr Cathryn Enis is a historian specialising in the material and cultural heritage of William Shakespeare and the interaction between this complex legacy and the wider history of the English midlands.

Application

Please use the 'Book' button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in the price, but if you wish to stay with us the night before the course, then please contact our Residential Centre.

Accommodation in Rewley House - all bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished and each room has tea and coffee making facilities, Freeview television, and Free WiFi and private bath or shower rooms.  Please contact our Residential Centre on +44 (0) 1865 270362 or email res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk for details of availability and discounted prices.