TILE-MAKING WORKSHOP ‘MADE OF PLACE’
On Saturday, 17th May, we opened the door to the local community for a unique and memorable tile-making workshop led by artist-in-residence Beverley Sommerville.
The event marked a key moment in the ongoing transformation of the Grade II listed North Block, which will soon be undergoing refurbishment to become a vibrant cultural hub, featuring artist studios and a Pavillion space. As part of this transformation, Beverley invited participants to contribute creatively and meaningfully by making ceramic porcelain wall tiles that will form a lasting mural in the newly renovated Pavilion area.
Guided by Beverley’s expertise, attendees explored a range of ceramic decorative techniques using materials sourced directly from the building itself. Crushed brick fragments, weathered roof slates, soot, ash, and other remnants from the old fireplaces and chimneys were repurposed into pigments and textures, infusing each tile with both character and history. These once-forgotten materials were given new life, telling stories through colour, surface, and touch.
Each participant created three to four tiles, one of which they took home as a personal keepsake. The remaining tiles will be permanently installed as part of a community-created mural—each one signed and dated by its maker, ensuring that every individual left a mark on the evolving story of Alice Billing House.
The workshop was more than just a creative session; it was an invitation to connect with heritage, contribute to place-making, and participate in reimagining a site rich in history. Through hands-on making, attendees helped shape a lasting legacy through creating.
