PART OF LONDON CRAFT WEEK
Beverley Sommerville is a studio potter and ceramic artist, originally from the East Coast and now based in Cheshire. Her practice explores ideas of material and place, gathering elements from locations or events that hold personal or historical significance. These materials are incorporated into clay, creating ceramic works that capture the essence of time and place, embedding memories and narratives within the objects themselves.
BEVERLEYS RESIDENCY
During her residency at Alice Billing House, Beverley applied this approach to explore the building’s heritage and history. The Grade II listed building in Stratford was built in 1905–1906 to house the West Ham Fire Brigade. Its South Block opened as artist studios in 2024, and the North Block is set to be renovated in 2026 to create additional studio spaces. Beverley spent several days on-site, exploring the building, often working in low light with torch in hand, collecting soot, ashes, debris, and fragments of brick, slate, glass, and metal. These materials formed a material archive, which became central to her creative process.
THE EXHIBITION
During London Craft Week, Beverley will exhibit the resulting body of work at Alice Billing House. The exhibition presents the ceramic collection alongside the material archive, revealing the connections between the building’s past, its present, and its future. Through this project, Beverley Sommerville combines heritage, materiality, and community engagement, turning the story of Alice Billing House into both a ceramic archive and a living, participatory artwork.
EXHIBITION OPEN
Between 10am-3pm.
Tuesday 12th May
Wednesday 13th May
Thursday 14th May
Friday 15th May
A WORKSHOP
“MADE OF PLACES” WORKSHOP WITH BEVERLEY SOMMERVILLE
The week will culminate in a participatory workshop, where visitors are invited to create their own ceramic pieces using the materials Beverley gathered from the building. Drawing inspiration from 21st-century symbols, from smartphones to coffee cups, participants will craft works that reflect contemporary life and contribute to a collective Time Capsule Project. This hands-on experience offers the community a chance to leave their mark, celebrating Alice Billing House while weaving the building into the stories and culture of the 21st century.
Participants are invited to create their own ceramic pieces using the materials Beverley gathered from the building. Drawing inspiration from 21st-century symbols, from smartphones to coffee cups, participants will craft works that reflect contemporary life and contribute to a collective Time Capsule Project.
Saturday 16 May
10.30am - 2.30pm
£18pp
Address:
Alice Billing House
2-12, West Ham Lane
Stratford
E15 4SF
FINDING US
Please use the directions below to get to Alice Billing House, as Google Maps doesn't work.
Click here for a map.
The entrance to Alice Billing House is just off West Ham Lane. Head to Stratford Town Hall Car Park, West Ham Lane, London, E15 4PH. The entrance to the car park is directly opposite the Freaks and Greeks bar, Stratford. Walk through the car park to the back, where there are a pair of metal double gates. Please buzz A12
ABOUT LONDON CRAFT WEEK
