Major celebrations are set to take place in 2025 for the centenary of ‘North Staffordshire Lowry’ Arthur Berry’s birth thanks to a £147,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The New Vic Theatre, alongside partners Barewall Gallery, Arthur Wood Estate, Victoria Theatre Archive, Claybody Theatre, Keele University, Three Counties Open Art Exhibition, Staffordshire Film Archive and Appetite Stoke, has been awarded a £147,193 grant to design and deliver a year-long programme of events in 2025 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Stoke-on-Trent-born artist, poet, playwright and broadcaster.
Arthur Berry created original poetry, plays and artworks that were rooted in the local culture of North Staffordshire and depicted aspects of 20th century working class life.
Arthur Berry 100 will see a series of celebration events take place throughout the year to showcase the artist’s breadth of work, including exhibitions, the sharing of previously unseen footage and photography from his life and the world premiere of his last play. The programme of activities will contribute to celebrations for SOT100 – a year of activity to mark the centenary of Stoke-on-Trent being awarded official city status.
Theresa Heskins, artistic director of the New Vic, said: “Arthur Berry is our Lowry: an observer of ordinary lives lived in an industrial landscape. Berry was writing, drawing and broadcasting this world during a time when regional voices were regarded as local voices.
“Even so, his fine art was appreciated by a wider audience, and it’s time to make sure the unique voice in his plays and poems is heard again. Thanks to National Lottery players, Arthur Berry 100 will enable us to bring the collection of this incredible artist’s work into the public domain ensuring his legacy is not lost for future generations.”
Amanda Bromley, of Burslem’s Barewall Gallery, added: “Arthur Berry’s legacy will be accessible for all to study, discover and revel in, and I’m beyond delighted. With the help of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we are able to deliver the Arthur Berry 100 celebration events across the region, attracting people from all over the country.
“An artist, poet and playwright who is famous for his captivating work of working-class culture in the 20th century Potteries, Berry’s work is just as relevant today as it was then and will touch the hearts and souls of those who engage.”
