Living With Art

Artist in residence Can Altay leads a discussion about the places in which we live, work and spend our free time.

Indonesian Textiles

Talk and handling session with textile specialist John Gillow exploring the textile arts of Indonesia that inspired Grayson Perry's Walthamstow Tapestry.

Grayson Perry Curator’s Tour

Join a Gallery curator for a short introduction to the imagery and themes in the Walthamstow Tapestry.

Grayson Perry in Person

The internationally-celebrated artist discusses his latest work.

Michael Rosen: Poetry and Protest

Poet, performer, broadcaster and scriptwriter Michael Rosen explores the social concerns and the radical content of William Morris's poetry, using his own and other poets' work.

Poetry Tour

Join the Forest Poets on a special tour of the galleries as they perform their new poems, which have been inspired by the William Morris Gallery’s collection.

Poetry Tour

Join the Forest Poets on a special tour of the galleries as they perform their new poems, which have been inspired by the William Morris Gallery’s collection.

Meet the Architects

Join us for a conversation with Pringle Richards Sharratt Architects. John Pringle and Penny Richards discuss their approach to refurbishing the William Morris Gallery and the challenges of displaying an internationally-significant collection within a Grade II* listed building.

Everyday Encounters Curator’s Tour

Discover the people and ideas behind the work on display in Everyday Encounters, with a curator from the William Morris Gallery.

Pre-Raphaelites: The 'First Modern Art Movement'

Join Tate curator, Alison Smith, to find out why the Pre-Raphaelites rebelled against the Art establishment and how they changed the artistic landscape of Victorian Britain.

This event is part of WMG Late: An evening with the Pre-Raphaelites.

Everyday Encounters Curator’s Tour

Discover the people and ideas behind the work on display in Everyday Encounters, with curator Carol Naylor from the Society of Designer Craftsmen.

David Bailey in Conversation SOLD OUT

Photographer David Bailey talks about his illustrious career and his portraits of London’s East End with Sandy Nairne, Director of the National Portrait Gallery.

David Bailey East End Faces

Join one of the Gallery’s curators for a tour of David Bailey’s photography exhibition.

Imagined Futures

Ruth Kinna, writer and Professor of Political Theory at Loughborough University, discusses News From Nowhere and itsplace in Morris’s politics, his socialism and contemporary radical ideology.

The Art of Embroidery: Nicola Jarvis and May Morris

Discover the delicate art of embroidery on a special tour with one of the Gallery’s curators, afterwards meet the artist, Nicola Jarvis.

Rise Up Women! The suffragette campaign for the vote

Diane Atkinson considers Emily Wilding Davison's protest in the wider context of the WSPU's militant campaign for women's suffrage in the years leading up to the outbreak of the First World War.

Depersonalisation in Medicine

Artist Emma Barnard and Surgeon Michael Papesh discuss the Person as Patient exhibition.

May Morris: Designer-Craftswoman & Daughter-Editor

A leading figure in the Arts & Crafts movement and a highly skilled embroiderer, May Morris also shared her father's socialist convictions and edited his writings. Biographer Jan Marsh discusses her life.

Adult Tour: Water House and its owners

Explore the William Morris Gallery, once a luxurious Georgian villa, through the lives of the people who lived there. This event is part of Open House London.

Adult Tour: Building the new Willam Morris Gallery

Discover the transformation of this Grade II* listed building into a popular visitor attraction. This event is part of Open House London.

Nicola Tree: The Makers

Join us for an informal viewing of The Makers exhibition, where Nicola Tree will be sharing some of the stories behind her photographs. 

Giles Deacon in Conversation

Join leading fashion writer and commentator Colin McDowell for a conversation with Giles Deacon, "the most adored designer of the past decade" says The Independent

C R Ashbee and the Essex House Press

Mary Greensted discusses Ashbee and the history of the Essex House Press. 

Teachers' Course: Safe and Simple Printmaking

Have a go at a range of simple techniques for the classroom not using knives or cutters. With artist Anna Alcock. £40.

Giles Deacon Curator's Tour

Discover the story behind the first fashion show at the William Morris Gallery with its curator.

Jane Morris: More than a painting by Rossetti

A talk to mark the centenary of the death of Jane Morris. Writer and scholar Peter Faulkner discusses this much overlooked figure, for decades considered only as the Pre-Raphaelite 'stunner' and unfaithful wife of William Morris.

English Magic Curator's Tour

Join Emma Gifford-Mead, curator of the British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, for a tour of Jeremy Deller's exhibition. In partnership with the British Council.

Jeremy Deller in Conversation SOLD OUT

An opportunity to discover more about the evolution of Deller's installation at the British Pavilion and his long fascination with William Morris.

John Ruskin, ‘The Nature of Gothic’ and William Morris

Find out how William Morris was influenced by John Ruskin's essay, 'The Nature of Gothic'

Curator's tour

Join one of the Gallery's curators for an introductory tour of the collection

The Heroic Labour of Frank Brangwyn

Tim Barringer explores Frank Brangwyn's fascination with manual work

Meet the Artist - Diana Furlong

Join us to explore Zoom In, Zoom Out with artist Diana Furlong. This event is part of the E17 Art Trail.

William Morris and the First World War

Tony Pinkney explores Morris's analysis of war and violence

Curator's tour

Join one of the Gallery's curators for an introductory tour of the collection

Film Screening: Indian Textiles

Follow the skilled craftsmen who make Bagh prints, Kalamkari and Ajrakh prints, three traditional Indian textiles, in this series of short films. In collaboration with the Crafts Museum, New Delhi.

Frank Brangwyn tour

Join one of our curators to discover the life and work of Frank Brangwyn

Frank Brangwyn tour

Join one of our curators to discover the life and work of Frank Brangwyn

Brangwyn at War!

Libby Horner reveals the stories behind Frank Brangwyn's First World War designs

Friends' Talk: Pre-Raphaelite Women

Lucinda Hawksley discusses the women of the Pre-Raphaelite movement

Curatorial tour: Rossetti's Obsession

An expert insight into Rossetti’s depictions of Jane Morris

Tangled Yarns Panel Discussion: Is Fashion Still To Die For?

Panel discussion on working conditions in the textile industry

Friends' Talk: Ernest Gimson and William Morris

Mary Greensted discusses the work of Ernest Gimson

Friends' Talk: Alke Schmidt

Artist Alke Schmidt discusses her Tangled Yarns exhibition

Friends' Talk: Eleanor Marx

Rachel Holmes explores Eleanor Marx's role in feminism and socialism

Q&A with Yinka Shonibare MBE

The internationally-renowned artist discusses his work with Zoe Whitley

Curatorial tour of The William Morris Family Album

Find out more about the Morris family and the making of the exhibition in this free guided tour.

Friends' Talk: John Henry Dearle

Natalia Martynenko-Hunt discusses John Henry Dearle's life and work

Friends' Talk: Philip Webb

Tessa Wild examines Philip Webb's life and work

Free Arts Award & Beyond network meeting

Free Arts Award & Beyond network meeting for educators and community groups. 

Friends' Talk: Morris and Holst

Mike Roberts explores the personal relationship between Morris and Gustav Holst

David Mabb: In Conversation

David Mabb in conversation with Larne Abse Gogarty

Curatorial tour: Announcer

Free tour of David Mabb's exhibition, Announcer

City of London Walk: Architects, Poets and Painters

A meander through romanticism, gothic alleyways, aestheticism and the resting space of poets

Friends' Talk: Art and the Russian Revolution

An illustrated talk exploring the unfolding of the revolution during and after 1917.

Friends' Talk: William Morris and his Workers at Merton Abbey

David Saxby examines Merton Abbey, the home of Morris's workshops

Rosalind Fowler: Talk and film screening

Our artist in residence discusses and screens her work

Wenlock Abbey: A hidden gem of the arts and crafts movement

Dr Cynthia Gamble reveals and brings to life some of the secrets of Wenlock Abbey

Takeover Day: Thomas Gamuel Primary School guided tour

Join pupils from Walthamstow’s Thomas Gamuel Primary School for a gudied tour of the Gallery

Takeover Day: Thomas Gamuel Primary School guided tour

Join pupils from Walthamstow’s Thomas Gamuel Primary School for a gudied tour of the Gallery

Tinting film using plant dyes (artist in residence event)

Drop-in activity using natural dyes to add colour to film with Rosalind Fowler.

Forage, dig and experiment with film (artist in residence event at OrganicLea)

Drop-in experimental filmmaking activity with Rosalind Fowler.

Lecture: Edward Lloyd

Dr Sarah Lill sheds light on the life of Edward Lloyd

OrganicLea Open Day

A celebration of Rosalind Fowler's residency and film screening of new work in progress at OrganicLea, Chingford

Social Fabric: Curator Talk

A unique insight into the history, trade and ongoing significance of textile traditions in eastern and southern Africa.

Underline: Behind the Scenes with Giles Round at the William Morris Gallery

Artist Giles Round discusses his new Art on the Underground commission for Blackhorse Road station

Fashion Showcase

Join fashion label CHiCHia and Professor Frances Corner 

Social Fabric lunchtime tour

Free exhibition tour with curator Rowan Bain 

Friends' Talk: George James Howard: Painter and Patron

Art historian Peter Burman discusses the work of aristocrat George Howard as a painter and patron of art

Tour- Social Fabric, London Craft Week

Go behind the scenes to view the William Morris Gallery’s collection of block printed textiles.

May Morris Conference 2016

This two-day study event will present new research on May Morris’s life and work, in advance of a new exhibition at the William Morris Gallery in 2017.

Friends' Talk: Walter Crane: The Arts and Crafts, Painting and Politics

Art historian Morna O’Neill explores the political and aesthetic ideals of Walter Crane

Clare Twomey Q&A

Clare Twomey discusses her Time Present and Time Past installation

Art, Food and Environment: E17 Art Trail Idea Sparks Talk

Join us for a lively evening of panel discussion, debate and drinks to stimulate ideas in the run up to next year's E17 Art Trail (3 - 18 June 2017).

Useful and Beautiful Tour

A curator-led tour of the Gallery’s most important textiles

Ceramics Intensive - Student Study Day for GCSE/6th Form/BTEC

Boost Art & Design Critical Studies and sketchbooks and get inspiration for ceramics projects this term

London Open House

Discover the architectural history of the Gallery

Friends' Talk: The Kelmscott Manor Venus and William Morris's "House of Love"

Art historian Julia Dudkiewicz discusses the mysterious Venus painting preserved at Kelmscott Manor

The Bentham Community Late

Lively debate on William Morris and Jeremy Bentham's differing views on happiness

Friends' Talk: The embroidered furnishings of the Lethbridge sisters, c. 1899-1922

Lynn Hulse explores the careers of Lady Julia Carew and Lady Jane Cory

Hidden

Join us at the launch of Hidden, a photographic installation by Red Saunders. Meet the artist and hear the stories behind the photographs.

Friends' Talk: Horace Warner’s Spitalfields Nippers

An illustrated lecture by the Gentle Author of Spitalfields Life blog on recently discovered photographs by Horace Warner

Coralie Bickford-Smith In Conversation

An evening with Coralie Bickford-Smith, author of The Fox and the Star

Friends' Talk: Mary Watts and the Chapel at Compton

Neil Bamford gives a detailed talk on craftsperson and social reformer Mary Watts

Radical History Workshop Talk: William Cuffay and the London Chartists

Hassan Mahamdallie discusses the fascinating life of William Cuffay, the son of a slave who became the elected President of the London Chartists. 

The Art of Printmaking

Discover the Gallery’s surprising collection of prints

Hidden by Red Saunders

The artist photographer Red Saunders will be giving a talk about his project, Hidden, and the large photographs exhibited in front of the Gallery.

William Morris Birthday Lecture: Morris and the Society for Protection of Ancient Buildings

Maggie Goodall discusses Morris’s campaigns to save historic architecture

Plantworks: A Factory As It Might Be artist tour

Come and meet the artist to find out more about the exhibition.

Brangwyn and Japan: Curator Tour

Hear some of the fascinating stories behind the exhibition on Frank Brangwyn and the Art of Japan.

Friends' Talk: Hilary Chapman on Yoshijiro Urushibara

Hilary Chapman explores the work of the celebrated Japanese printmaker

Be Magnificent: Curator Talk

Join curator Rowan Bain for a guided tour of the exhibition Be Magnificent. Walthamstow School of Art 1957-1967

Educators' Private View of May Morris: Art & Life

An exclusive evening viewing of this landmark new exhibition

Iceland: Questions of Travel with Lavinia Greenlaw and Ösp Eldjárn

A night of poetry, discussion and music inspired by William Morris's travels in Iceland.

May Morris Art & Life Curator Tour

A highlights tour of May Morris: Art & Life

Friends Talk: May Morris, a daughter's story

Historian Alan Crawford, known for his work on the decorative arts and architecture, tells a story of May Morris, her life and work

May Morris Art & Life Curator Tour

A highlights tour of May Morris: Art & Life

Friends' Talk: French Artists in London

In the 1870s France was devastated by war and an uprising in Paris. Artists fled to Britain and their remarkable works created in London are discussed by Tate Curator Caroline Corbeau-Parsons. 

The People's Forest Artist Talk with Gayle Chong Kwan

Join Gayle Chong Kwan for an artist led exploration of her latest exhibition The People's Forest.

William Morris Birthday Lecture: The Socialist Diary

A fascinating insight into a period of intense political activity. Ahead of a new edition, Professor Florence S Boos reveals the essence of Morris’s Socialist Diary. 

Volunteering information drop-in

Find out more about volunteering at the William Morris Gallery and Vestry House Museum