Craftsmen Then and Now

[Image via Charleston]

A reminder: The centenary of the Omega Workshops -- an early 20th century experimental design collective formed in 1913 by art critic Roger Fry -- will be celebrated during the upcoming London Design Festival. Activities include a painted objects masterclass led by Sophie Coryndon at The New Craftsmen Garage on Thursday, September 19 from 11 a.m. to 4.15 p.m.  Since Omega members were artists associated with the Bloomsbury Group (Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant) who typically painted a wide variety of decorative items in addition to designing ceramics and textiles inspired by the work of Matisse and Picasso, Coryndon's class participants will paint wooden writing cases, lampshades and lamp bases, and apple crates. Details here.

[White from the Courtald Gallery's  2009 exhibition, Beyond Bloomsbury: Designs of the Omega Workshops 1913–19.]

Later that same day, from 7 to 9 p.m., Courtauld curator Dr. Alexandra Gerstein will show original Omega designs in the Museum's Drawings and Prints room. Click here for tickets.