Artist Maurice Wade celebrated in rare city landscape exhibition

A large-scale exhibition celebrating the work of local artist, Maurice Wade, has opened to the public for the first time.

Visitors will get a rare glimpse of his North Staffordshire-inspired landscapes featuring many well-known locations including Etruria Hall, Burslem, Longport and the local canal network - now on show at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.

Born in Burslem in 1917, Maurice Wade trained during the 1930s at the Burslem School of Art and went on to teach at a local boys school in the 1960s.

The critically acclaimed artist exhibited at the Royal Academy, Paris Salon and The Royal Society of British Artists. His works feature in a number of public collections, including the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery and the Government Art Collection. Today, Wade is extremely collectable and his paintings are highly regarded by art lovers.

Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “It is great that we are being able to highlight the work of this important artist, who was born right here in Stoke-on-Trent, in their home city.

“We should all be really proud that our city’s unique landscape features in these paintings and was the inspiration behind most of Maurice Wade’s work, especially as we are gearing up to celebrate our Centenary next year.

“The exhibition is on until January 2025, so there’s plenty of time to go along and enjoy this fantastic display.”

Maurice Wade felt a growing compulsion to paint when he returned to the Potteries in 1951, after serving in the army during the Second World War.

Following Wade’s death in 1991, his work was seemingly forgotten however over the last few years, there has been a renewed interest in the artist and a growing recognition of his important contribution to contemporary British art in the 20th century.

This special display will bring together over 90 paintings from Wade’s private collections, for the very first time.

The exhibition will highlight Wade’s fascination with North Staffordshire and will be accompanied by a fully illustrated book edited by Petr Hajek, with contributions by David Powell.

Dr Samantha Howard, Curator of Arts at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, said: “Maurice Wade – A Painter from No. 57 is a truly not-to-be missed opportunity to see so many wonderful paintings brought together from private collections that showcase the breadth and depth of the artist's practice over 30 years”.

Maurice Wade – A Painter from No. 57 will until Sunday 26 January. Tickets are £6, £4 (concessions) and under 16s go free.

To find out more about what’s happening at all of the city’s museums, visit www.stokemuseums.org.uk