Mansfield School of Art

These photos which were taken in the early 1950’s show students relaxing and being more formal for presentations. Does anyone recognise themselves?

Private Collection
Private Collection
Chronicle Advertiser
Chronicle Advertiser

Comments about this page

  • I attended the Art school from 1951 -59 , I recognise several of the students. I was in the same year as John Pass, Sheila Macleod and Carol Overton all who are in the phographs. My name was Maureen Brown but I was better known
    as Jez.

    By Maureen Cardy (18/05/2023)
  • My dad went to this school 1953-1955, Donald Cope, does anyone remember him? I’d love to sit with him and find some names from his childhood.

    By Alison Cope (14/12/2022)
  • I attended the Saturday Art School in the 1950s. I was quite young at the time, probably one of the youngest and I suspect that I got a place because my parents were artists and friends of Tom and Marion Green. I remember a pencil portrait by Marion Green. I remember making a marionette using bamboo for the jointed limbs. Although I went on to become a teacher I have always returned to craft work and taught lapidary and silversmithing for a short while. I now make carriage driving whips and do leathercraft.

    By Celia Blay (Roberts) (20/01/2019)
  • Hi, I’d like to get in touch with Mr. Brian Day Parsons, or with anyone who can shed a light on his artistic carreer.

    Thank you,

    Richard van der AA

    By richard vanderaa (28/01/2015)
  • Hi there, My name is Katherine Appleford and I am a Lecturer at Kingston University.

    I’ve recently been asked to work with the Sorrell Foundation, who currently run a number of Saturday Art and Design Clubs. We are looking for individuals who had been part of Saturday Art and Design Clubs between 1940-1970 and I noticed on your website that a number of contributors talked about classes they had attended at the Mansfield School of Art.

    I would like to get in touch with them and find out whether they would be interested in discussing the impact the art and design clubs had on their lives and careers.

    If you are able to help, it would be really very helpful, and hugely appreciated.

    I can be contacted on  K.Appleford@kingston.ac.uk

    Regards

    Katherine Appleford

    By Liz Weston (07/05/2014)
  • I did a years ‘Basic’ course in 1962 . Followed by Pre-Diploma until ’65.Mr Sutton was still principal when i arrived in ’62. I think Tommy Green took over principalin ’63 Ken Rowat taught life drawing, Mr Gallon , pottery/sculpture. A Mr Bell taught portraiture night school only . Among my fellow students, I remember Diane Ward, Brian Parsons, Ken Coleman, David Shadwell, Stuart Topp, Wendy Smith, Jane Rippon, Mary Lou Parsons, Roger Wilson, Leslie Taylor, Lucy Copplestone. I wore my art school scarf (red with purple, yellow and white stripes) until it disintegrated. Have searched in vain for one ever since. If anyone can suggest where I should look , I’d be grateful. From there I went on to Leeds College of Art , Diploma in Art and Design , then into teaching for five years , before moving abroad. I now live in Deia, Mallorca, where I paint and make music. I would love to get in touch with anyone who was there at the same time 1962/65. So many precious memories

    By David Templeton (25/01/2014)
  • Jack Varley, did a post grad in London Brian Day Parsons, lived in France, taught at the french art schools, received much praise from France, awards in the south of France. Pete lives with his wife Sheila on an island in Queensland –  post grad teach, postgrad, masters, fine arts and uni sasa assoc. member, researcher.

    By pete and brian,jack varley.wolden,parsons (13/08/2013)
  • [we believe this comment relates to one above left by Trevor Ellis – Editors]

    We had met a TV crew, – scene at 6.30, julian petterfier?  - they gave us rum and beer. They had come to film, the Christmas decorations, angels, ex-regent street , London… I was not expelled  but given a place at Derby School of Art, Ken Rowatt had told me to take my abstract works to show the staff,…ok ,but didn’t like the place much.  Parsons and Wolden scored top marks in the school,intermediate exam, many students failed, 23 !

    By Pete and Brian ,Wolden, Day Parsons

    By pete and brian ,wolden, day parsons (06/08/2013)
  • Nice seeing the old school, I went at 13 (1953) from Ravensdale, stayed till Oct 1956. Dodged out to be a knitter at the factory and buy a motorbike. My parents did not like that, the school did me no harm finished up 35yrs in the design dept Ever since been using my learnt skills on my hobbies. I did leave them a memory by putting the letter box in LH main door 1956. dwp 15/7/ 13

    By dwp (15/07/2013)
  • Hi Peter, I can’t go back to the 50’s but close. I studied Fine Art Painting there from 1960-64 with Tommy Green as my tutor. His wife Marion taught life drawing. I remember two of my fellow students returning to the studio after spending perhaps longer than they should in a local pub and putting a quarter of jelly babies on Tommy’s desk to placate him. Both were expelled as I remember! Tommy and Marion moved down to live I believe in St. Ives in Cornwall after he retired. I saw him just before he moved from Mansfield.

    By Trevor Ellis (09/04/2013)
  • Does anyone have a list of the Mansfield School of Art students graduating after a 2-years course in 1949 ? Mr H M Sutton was the Principal and Tommy Green was the Vice Principal. Peter Curl, Nellie Poole and Mr Belton were the teachers. Some of the students were Paul Elliott studying Architecture, Eric Evans, Barry Morley-Painting and decorating, Kieth Smart, Harry Illesley, Roy Addrews, ? Duncan-with the glasses. Some of the girls were Glynis Jones, Joyce Skerry, Loraine and Janis Evans, Audrey Crawford, Glynis Smith, Trudy ?. That’s about all I can remember. Where are they today – March 5th 2013 ? If anyone can connect their names, please add a comment. Peter Whitehouse, now in Canada

    By Peter Whitehouse (05/03/2013)
  • Whilst I worked at the Metal Box in Mansfield they used to send a group of us on a “day release” to both West Notts College on Chesterfield Road to study two or three subjects then we attended the Art College. We always looked forward to attending.

    By Ann Lewis (01/02/2013)
  • I was a student at the Mansfield school of art in the early fifties. In the last photo I recognise Roy Palfreyman, Colin Palmer, Janet Soar and myself.

    By stan williamson (20/01/2012)
  • I attended the Art School on the Saturday morning sessions in the late 40s, however I recognise some of the students. Photo 3. 2nd row, 2nd in from the left, Ray Bedford. 3rd row, 2nd in from aisle next to girl with feathers in her hair is Brian Metheringham. Photo 4. 3rd row, Colin Walton sat next to empty chair, RH side of photo. 5th row, Malc Dolman partly obscured by person in front.

    Was painting and decorating courses taught at the school in that era as some of the people I have mentioned worked as such? The 4 students I have mentioned all originated in Mansfield Woodhouse. Tom Shead

    By Tom Shead (22/04/2011)

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.