The Burslem Boys - The Kulture Klub Wednesday 17th October

A tragic tale unfolded on the evening of 16^th December 1943. Three young men, three very talented artists, were re-united in the Burslem School of Art.

The men were Arthur Berry, John Shelton and Norman Cope. All had promising futures and all had been students at the School of Art at the same time, become the best of friends and then all went their separate ways to pursue their creative careers.

Arthur Berry went to train at the London College of Art, pursuing a teaching career which culminated with Berry as Principal Lecturer in Painting at the then North Staffordshire Polytechnic. His paintings captured the characters and landscapes of the diminishing landscape of North Staffordshire.

John Shelton studied at the Slade college of art and also became a prolific ceramic designer. He was noted as ‘one of the richly endowed bunch of students who have gone on to enrich the tradition of oil and water colour painting’ by significant ceramic designer Reginald Haggar. John painted and taught for many years with numerous exhibitions and collectors nationwide.

Norman Cope went to the Edinburgh College of Art after winning an Andrew Grant scholarship. He had been considered the star of the class, his expressionist oil paintings and drawings considered to be unique and evocative.

On the evening of the 16^th December 1943, the three young men were reunited after their travels and met up in the School of Art, before their intended journey across the road to The George Hotel for a Christmas Ball. The meeting had been eagerly anticipated by all three; letters between the three of them in the intervening years showed how much they missed one another.

However, tragedy was to happen as Norman Cope fell down the stairs of the School of Art, fracturing his skull and ending a life and a very promising career.

This Saturday, the 20^th October sees life being breathed once more into the work of Norman Cope with the opening of an exclusive exhibiton of his, and fellow artists, John Shelton and Arthur Berry's work at Barewall Gallery in Burslem. The exhibition celebrates the work of three very talented artists and also features original photographs and letters exchanged between the trio.

Leeka will be joined by one of Norman Cope's nephew; Michael Cope to talk about the exhibition and more about the trio of Norman, John and Arthur; The Burslem Boys.

Join Leeka and Michael from 1pm only on www.6towns.co.uk