PAST EVENTS
30 January - 1 March
New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road ST5 0JG
Berry RAW
Presented by Barewall Gallery, with kind permission from the Berry Estate, private collectors and partners.
A Centenary Exhibition of paintings, drawings and artifacts from the estate of Arthur Berry
RAW was an important exhibition of Berry paintings showing BERRY at his most authentic, honest self, rooted in expressing the human condition in its raw state. The exhibition includes never-before-seen artwork, shown alongside original sketches and items from the Berry archive.
8 February, 14:00 & 15:30
Brampton Museum
Brampton Park, ST5 0PQ
Arthur Berry New Perspectives
Presented by Staffordshire Film Archive
In this special archive film screening, audiences are offered the change to find out more about Potteries’ cultural icon Arthur Berry in his own words - and from the people that knew him best.
Join host Ray Johnson for an extra special event to celebrate one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most famous sons.
26 February 2025
Lunar, World of Wedgwood, Barlaston
Lunar Art and Wine Society: The Two Arthurs
Presented by Lunar Art and Wine Society, Barewall Gallery and Jane Wood.
A special evening celebrating the remarkable partnership between Arthur Berry and Arthur Wood.
21 March
12:00 - 16:00
Newcastle Library, Castle House, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 1BL
Poetry Busk
Presented by Newcastle Library supported by the Keele Key Fund
Celebrating World Poetry Day, and its theme of Poetry for peace and unity, the Poetry Busk will bring together a whole host of poets, be them published, hobbyist, students, readers, and appreciators. The aim is to perform 4 hours of rolling poetry for free to an audience who can stay as long as they like.
Join Rory Blessington from New Vic Borderlines to hear some of Arthur Berry’s work, and have a go at creating your own.
26 April 2025
Middleport Pottery
Port Street, ST6 3PE
A Bunch of Flowers
Presented by Barewall Art Gallery, Jane Wood and Steve Redfern.
A stunning new animation that brings Arthur Berry’s story to life like never before. Being shown as part of Middleport Pottery Spring Festival.
27 May - 28 June 2025
New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road ST5 0JG
Theatre Maker Exhibition
Presented by New Vic Theatre
A prolific creative artist and writer, Arthur Berry was inspired to write his first play after seeing a production of Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood at the Vic Theatre in 1972. Then, a chance meeting with theatre director Peter Cheeseman at the Swan Hotel in Burslem led to 10 years of fruitful collaboration with The Vic. Five of Berry’s plays were staged at the old Vic on Hartshill Road, before St George of Scotia Road opened at the New Vic Theatre in 1986.
In this exhibition, see a collection of the artist’s original drawings - vibrant characters and settings created for his plays - from the Victoria Theatre Archive at Staffordshire University, alongside production photographs from the performances themselves.
31 May - 21 June 2025
New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road ST5 0JG
Whatever Happened To Phoebe Salt
Presented by New Vic Theatre
A World Premier Production
Born and raised in the industrial heartland of Stoke-on-Trent, Phoebe Salt spends her days working in the meat market, trapped in a daily grind of blood and bone.
After work, yearning for glamour and adventure, she rehearses her role as a showman’s assistant with the local town entertainer and soon, opportunity knocks.
Will a TV appearance help her finally escape the trials and tribulations of working life or does her fate have other plans?
22 April - 27 June 2025
Various Locations
Sketchy
Presented by New Vic Education
Inspired by Arthur Berry’s vision as both an artist and writer, New Vic Education will work with artists, schools and community groups including Middleport Matters, Smallthorne Primary School and Springhead Primary School, to engage with the skill of drawing.
30 June - 6 July
Bethesda Chapel, Albion Street ST1 1QF
Arthur Berry: Observer of Life
Presented by Pinc College
Pinc College students have been working on a project inspired by Arthur Berry's life and work as part of the celebrations for his 100th birthday. Working in collaboration with the New Vic Theatre and Barewall Art Gallery, the project has enabled students to become 'Observers of Life,' taking inspiration from Stoke-on-Trent and its people to create their own artwork. The students have also selected a piece of Arthur's art to be displayed alongside their own.
16 July 2025
10:30 - 12:30 and 13:30 - 15:30
New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road,
Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 0JG
Volcanic Sand Workshop
Presented by New Vic Borderlines
Join New Vic Borderlines and local artist, Ben Riley, and step into the world of grit, soul, and storytelling through volcanic sand art.
Join acclaimed artist Ben Riley—known for his powerful portraits and unique material techniques—for a free hands-on creative experience celebrating the raw beauty of Arthur Berry’s legacy.
Free Event, places limited, please email ahaughton@newvictheatre.org.uk to book.
19 July 2025
The Dipping House
5 Spode Courtyard, Church Street ST4 1BU
Meeting Arthur
Presented by Claybody Theatre
Claybody Theatre respond to the work of Arthur Berry as an artist, playwright and poet.
Get involved and be inspired by an installation at The Dipping House. Participate in any of four Creative Workshops: Visual Art; Script Writing; Poetry or Music.
FULLY BOOKED
19 July 2025
13:30 - 14:15
The Dipping House
5 Spode Courtyard, Church Street ST4 1BU
A Portrait of Arthur
Presented by Claybody Theatre
Claybody Theatre respond to the work of Arthur Berry as an artist, playwright and poet.
Learn more about the man and the artist at a lunchtime talk about Berry’s life and work.
Booking not necessary.
27 July 2025
The Dipping House
5 Spode Courtyard, Church Street ST4 1BU
Ode to Arthur
Presented by Claybody Theatre
Claybody Theatre respond to the work of Arthur Berry as an artist, playwright and poet.
Join Claybody Theatre for an evening’s entertainment created in response to the works of Arthur Berry, including original monologues written and performed by the Company, and a new musical piece by Ashley Thompson, performed by COR BACH with ACCELER8 BRASS BAND.
Admission: £15.00.
9 August - 30 August
Fenton Town Hall, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 3AF
Tuesday until Saturday, each week between 11am and 3pm.
Three Counties Open Art Exhibition
The Three Counties Open Art Exhibition is an open-call visual arts exhibition for artists connected to Staffordshire, Cheshire or Shropshire.
The exhibition spans a wide range of mediums in rooms inside the refurbished Fenton Town Hall. From painting to printmaking, drawing, photography, sculpture, textiles, moving image and installation-based works, the breadth of exhibited work shows only a small selection of the creativity of the area.
Admission: Free. venue open Tues - Sat from 11am - 3pm.
The Three Counties Open Art is organised in partnership with: ArtsKeele at Keele University; Appetite; Barewall Gallery; Burslem School of Art Trust; Character & Arts Foundation; City Learning Trust; ACAVA Spode Works. With special thanks to our awards sponsors – ACAVA, Appetite, Barewall Art Gallery, Burslem School of Art Trust, City Learning Trust, Keele University, North Staffordshire Friends of the Earth, New Vic Theatre Archive Fund and Urban Wilderness.
10, 17 and 23 August
Various Locations
Times: All walks start at 11am, with meeting from 10:30am.
Duration: Approximately one hour
Summer Walking Tour
Led by Mervyn Edwards in collaboration with Barewall Art Gallery.
These summer walks will be an inspiring opportunity to explore the streets and stories that helped shape one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most iconic artists. Walks will be led by local historian and author, Mervyn Edwards. All will start at 11am and explore the landscapes that inspired Berry’s work and life.
Sunday 10 August: Ford Green Hall, Smallthorne to Moorland Inn
Sunday 17 August: Burslem to Middleport
Sunday 23 August: Middleport to Wolstanton
Click on ‘Find out More’ for further details of routes and meeting points for all three walks.
Tickets: No need to book.
Additional Notes: Wear strong shoes or walking shoes/boots.
For those unable to join in person, downloadable self-guided versions of the walks will soon be available at: www.arthurberry100.co.uk.