Two visual artists celebrate 50 years of study at Morley

This week, two visual artists marked a remarkable 50 years of study at Morley’s Waterloo Centre for Adult Education. A talented printmaker and creative ceramicist celebrated with solo exhibitions – showcasing work made over half a century at Morley.

The two artists, printmaker Jean Dorethea Whitley-Smyth, and ceramicist Judith Stacey, met for the first time to celebrate together at a private view of Jean’s exhibition “My life in Printmaking” at the Waterloo Centre.

Jean Dorethea Whitley-Smyth, 92, first came to Morley College in 1970,  after completing a degree in graphic design in Pretoria and studying in London at the Central School of Art [now Central St Martins]. 

Jean Dorethea Whitley-Smyth

“At an exhibition in London, I saw a friend’s colour etchings. I was so impressed by them that I thought I would like to try that.  A tutor at Central [Art School] recommended Morley College – and I started printmaking classes here.  I was soon addicted to etching and have been ever since.” said Jean.

Jean left Morley in 1974 – when her husband changed his job and they moved to Bristol – only to return at the end of the seventies.  Since then, Jean has attended weekly printmaking classes at Morley, making a three-hour journey from her home in Wiltshire to Morley’s Waterloo Centre to attend her class, before returning home.  She says    “I spend an hour on the train, and look out of the window, the fields, trees and colours all make it into my landscapes. I see London and I chat to people.”

Prints by Jean Dorethea Whitley-Smythe

Part of the pleasure of coming to Morley is developing new printmaking techniques.   “There is so much to learn with printing – technique, colour, overprinting and aquatinting.  I do enjoy learning new things.” she says.

Jean has exhibited in numerous group shows in London and at the West of England Academy, Bristol, twin cities of Bath in Malta, Kaposwar, Hungary and Alkmaar, Netherlands and in Provence, France.

” Morley is a good place to come to.. Morley has been very important to me. Through Morley, I’ve met more people, and I’ve been involved with two art printing companies.  

The work in the show was chosen by Jean, selected from a lifetime of prints.  “I like them all. They all remind me of something, and they’re all a memory of something, of where I’ve been.”

Judith, Jean’s classmates and tutor joined the celebration, along with friends who travelled from Bath.   Jean was awarded a Lifelong Learner Award – presented by Morley Waterloo’s Head of Printmaking, Michelle Avison, alongside Jean’s current tutor, Rob White.  

Michelle said “Jean Dorethea calls printmaking exciting- it is still something that she wants to do and that she’s looked forward to.  And I think if you think that you’re going to do that every week, you’re always thinking okay, what might I make for the next picture about? What does that sky look like? What does that colour look like? And I think that is why being an artist like Jean is very exciting.”

Jean commented” I think artists have a passion, as do musicians and alike, and all these sort of things. Somehow you’ve got to do it.  You have to do it.” 

Ceramicist Judith Stacey started painting classes at Morley College in 1973, three years after Jean enrolled in printmaking.  But in 1975, she switched to ceramics and “immediately developed her passion”. Judith says 

“I somehow thought ceramics might be easier to get something I was really pleased with than it was in painting.  I loved ceramics from the start.  There’s a sort of serendipity about the glazes in particular.  Sometimes they come out beautifully.

Judith Stacey

“I love seeing the pots that come out of the kiln. I think it’s just such fun that you can make so many different things with a lump of clay.”  “At the end of it you get something you can see, and you can see what your work has made – which I’ve always liked in all the things I do… I like the people. It’s a very sociable class”

Judith, a retired HR manager, lives in South London, not too far from the Waterloo Centre. She’s attended Morley’s ceramics evening classes every term since 1975 (missing out just one year..).

Judith’s tried many and varied ceramic-making techniques,  but like Jean, believes there is always more to discover.  

“After fifty years,  I just find it amazing that I can still learn something completely new way of glazing a pot.…it’s very nice to make something that you’re pleased with. It doesn’t matter if no one else is pleased with it, even, though that’s a bonus. But if you’re pleased with it, yourself, it’s a rewarding thing to do, isn’t it?” says Judith.

In 2000 she won coveted first prize in the V+A Musuem’s “Inspired By” competition – open to all artists attending adult education classes.  Judith’s artwork is based on a piece the V+A’s India collection – depicting a cat eating a fish.

Judith’s expertly crafted plates, cups, vases and animal figures all feature her exhibition “50 years in Ceramics” displayed outside the ceramics studio – which over the years has virtually become her second home!  

“Ceramics has given me something quite different from my work. It’s given me. well, something I love to do, of course. Something that I do just for myself, and I think that’s the important thing.”

” Away from the class, I think often about what I’m making, or will make next and enjoy using pieces I have already made. So, thank you to Morley, its tutors, its technicians and my very many fellow students for giving me so much pleasure for so long.”

Naturally, both Jean and Judith plan to return to Morley in September to pursue their lifelong passions!

My Printmaking Life and 50 Years of Ceramics continue at the Waterloo Centre for Adult Education until July 4th.