Images show Poole Pottery items from Poole Museum's collection L-R:
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Unglazed jug in the style of prehistoric ancient pottery - Designer James Radley Young, modified by Truda Carter. Donated to Poole Museum by John Bostock in 2023 and currently awaiting Accession
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Lustre glaze vase from the early 20th Century. Bought at auction from Christies
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Plate - Designer Olive Bourne 1926-27
Our new Ceramics, Art and Design Gallery on the third floor of Oakley's Mill will showcase the largest public collection of Poole Pottery, possibly the most extensive in the world.
Liz Selby, our new Freelance Curator, is the expert behind the selection of items for display in this new space.
Liz brings a wealth of knowledge to this role, with over 20 years of curatorial experience in museums and art galleries, most recently as the Director of Collections and Public Engagement at our Wessex Museums partner Dorset Museum and Art Gallery.
Find out more about Liz and why she's excited about her new role.
Tell us about yourself
I pursued a History degree at university, followed by a Masters in Contemporary 20th Century History, before landing my first museum job at the Imperial War Museum in London.
Over the past 20 years, I've held various curatorial roles in museums and art galleries across London and the south of England, culminating in my recent managerial position at Dorset Museum and Art Gallery.
What do you love about working in museums and art galleries?
I'm passionate about the incredible work museums do with their collections, telling the unique stories of each item to engage people in a friendly and accessible way.
I love the creativity involved in researching items for display, creating interpretation panels, and producing exhibitions that appeal to all audiences.
What excites you about your new role at Poole Museum?
I'm excited about the direction Poole Museum is taking with this redevelopment. It's thrilling to see the project taking shape and the vision the curatorial team has for the new museum spaces.
As the curator of the Ceramics, Art, and Design Gallery, I'll be selecting items for display, ensuring they complement each other and captivate the public. I'll also assist with hanging artwork in our special gallery within a gallery space, showcasing beautiful paintings from our collections, including works by notable artists Henry Lamb and Augustus John, alongside scenes of Poole and the local area, including the most recently acquired artwork of John Piper's Poole Guildhall.
I'll also be involved in programming for the Creative Space and Terrace, delivering activities to engage diverse audiences.
Why is researching a collection so important for any museum?
My primary focus at Poole Museum has been researching the history and story of Poole Pottery.
Researching artefacts is crucial to bringing collections to life for visitors. Museums help preserve and promote our cultural heritage, and Poole Pottery is a significant part of Poole's history. It's essential to convey the backstory of these items to do justice to this period of Poole's past.
What research have you been doing on Poole Pottery?
I've been struck by the early involvement of women designers in Poole Pottery's history and their innovative contributions during a time when men dominated the creative scene.
Pioneering women like Phoebe Stabler and Truda Carter drew inspiration from French and American abstract design, particularly in home-domestic ware around the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Poole Pottery embraced their designs - they were very much at the forefront of change, leading in this industry and responding to the wider changes in society.
What impressions do you hope visitors will take away from the Ceramics, Art and Design Gallery once we reopen?
I hope visitors will leave the Ceramics, Art and Design Gallery with a deep appreciation for Poole's rich artistic heritage and creative spirit, especially the remarkable legacy of Poole Pottery which was such a significant and innovative creative industry in the town for over 100 years.
Poole Pottery was - and still very much is - internationally renowned, and it engaged leading designers who were at the forefront of design trends during the 20th century. For local visitors, especially those with personal connections to Poole and Poole Pottery, this should be a real source of pride and inspiration.