June sees the return of the Walsall Society of Artists to The Rose Paterson Art Gallery.

Walsall has been an area of craftspeople for centuries, well before the Manor passed into the hands of the Bradford family in 1737, when Thomas, Earl of Bradford inherited.

Members of the Bradford family are remembered in the names of many streets and roads throughout the borough of Walsall.

By the time Manor of Walsall passed into the hands of the Bradford family a great number of trades were being practised in the town. These included the makers of nails, buckles locks and tools, copper tin, brass, and pewter items needles, and shaving brushes. The largest group of craft people would have been the leatherworkers, the Loriners and saddlemakers. This gave rise to the name of the football team, The Saddlers and the shopping arcade, the Saddlers Centre, which opens into Bradford Street.  The ingenuity, adaptability and craftsmanship of the people of Walsall has been proven through the centuries, and it’s become known as ‘The Town of 100 trades.’

The trades may not be here today, but the ingenuity, creativity and craftsmanship certainly are. The members of Walsall Society of Artists aspire to replicate those values in this exhibition.

The Rose Paterson Art Gallery is open daily from 11am to 4pm and is free to enter.