Leach Pottery Director Announced as New

Artistic Director & Chief Executive of Rothesay Pavilion

Leach Pottery director Julia Twomlow is to take up the position of Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the Rothesay Pavilion on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, from 2nd November.

Julia has been Director of the Leach Pottery, St Ives since it was reopened in 2008. Prior to that she was Director of the Acorn Theatre in Penzance and a freelance cultural industries consultant. She was also one of the first Fellows on the prestigious Clore Leadership Programme. In her new role Julia will work alongside the project management team during the restoration of the Pavilion, developing both the work of the Rothesay Pavilion Charity and an ongoing programme of activities for the Pavilion when it reopens in two years’ time as a 21^st century arts, cultural, sports and community venue.

Of her decision Julia says:

‘I am really delighted to be appointed to this post. I have had seven very happy years at the Leach Pottery working with a brilliant team and I knew it would take a special place to lure me away. This move has taken a lot of thought, but I feel I have achieved all I set out to do here. I am confident that I am leaving the Pottery on a sound financial and creative footing and with a clear direction. This new position at Rothesay Pavilion allows me to bring together my previous experience in performing arts and venue management with my recent work in heritage and visual arts, in one exciting project, within a rural setting equally as beautiful as Cornwall. I look forward to working with the Chairman and Trustees to bring this amazing building to life again for the community’.

Nick Merriman, Chair of the Rothesay Pavilion Charity says:

‘It was the unanimous view of board members that Julia has exactly the right combination of skills and experience we need. At the Leach Pottery she was the first director of a new museum, gallery and studio which was set up as a charitable trust with a strong commercial arm. She has led this from a position where it had no funding, no reserves, and no working capital, to a financially successful operation. We are very much looking forward to working with her on this exciting project’.

For an interim period the position of Director at the Leach Pottery will be jointly filled by Dr Katie Bunnell, currently Associate Professor of Design at Falmouth University, and former Leach Pottery Trustee and current Lead Potter John Bedding.

Of their temporary appointment Julia says:

‘Dr Katie Bunnell’s knowledge of contemporary ceramics and her experience as a leader of innovative projects will bring a new dynamism to the Pottery. We are delighted that she will be taking up the post of Joint Director alongside John Bedding, who has been an invaluable support and mentor to me during my time at the Leach Pottery. The entire team here are confident that the Pottery will continue to thrive under their vision and commitment.’

Applications for the permanent post of Leach Pottery Director will be invited in 2016.

-ENDS-

Print ready 300 dpi image links:
 
Julia Twomlow, Photo Matt Tyas 

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Leach Pottery

The Leach Pottery is managed by the Bernard Leach (St Ives) Trust Ltd, a registered charity founded in 2005 reg. no 1111263. The primary objectives of the trust are to further the development of studio pottery, provide training in the art, craft and making of pottery and to advance the public education of the life and work of Bernard Leach and his circle.

For further information contact Julia Twomlow, Director, Leach Pottery, Higher Stennack, St. Ives, Cornwall TR26 2HE / Tel: 01736 799703 / julia@leachpottery.com  / www.leachpottery.com

Rothesay Pavilion

The Rothesay Pavilion project is led by Argyll and Bute Council. The Pavilion lies at the heart of the Bute community and has the potential to be a significant catalyst for regeneration and change on the island of Bute, creating jobs, improving the town environment and providing cultural and educational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

The development will create four separate spaces: a main hall capable of seating up to 750 people; a self contained venue with around 250 seats; a flexible exhibition space and a unique glazed top floor with spectacular views for weddings and other events. There will also be a café, shop, office spaces for rent, and a separate building for holiday lets in summer and artist in residence programmes at other times.

In the tourist season the Pavilion will play host to national and international music, comedy, theatre and dance acts, as well as showing major exhibitions of history, photography and visual arts.  The second space will be programmed by and for younger people, with local bands, DJs and comedians. In the off-season the building will have more of a community focus; and community sports and well-being activities will run in parallel all year round.

Rothesay Pavilion Charity is the organisation that will ultimately manage and operate the Pavilion once it reopens. A Board of eleven Directors has been formed, all with strong connections to Bute. The Chair of the Board is Dr Nick Merriman who owns a home on Bute and is Director of Manchester Museum.

Rothesay Pavilion is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (No. SCO44932)

For further information and images contact Pavilion Development Manager Stuart Thomas | Eaglesham House, Mount Pleasant Road, Rothesay, Isle of Bute, PA20 9AH | Tel: 07872 068174 | www.rothesaypavilion.co.uk