V&A Wedgwood Collection Opens Interactive Play Space

The V&A Wedgwood Collection in Stoke-on-Trent has unveiled a new Play Space, transforming a former family area into an immersive, interactive environment inspired by iconic Wedgwood designs. The project, supported by Art Fund, began in 2024 with a pilot family space, and through feedback from families and consultation with local schools, creative practitioners, and educators, the museum co-created a brief to reimagine Wedgwood patterns through hands-on learning. The Play Space features zones dedicated to designers Eric Ravilious and Daisy Makeig-Jones, including interactive games based on Ravilious's 'Alphabet' pattern and 'Barlaston' mug, and a Fairyland zone inspired by Makeig-Jones's Fairyland Lustre. The space also includes a factory area with bottle kilns, magnetic vases, and coil stacking activities to introduce ceramic techniques, and a sliding glass door designed by Studio Mutt. The Portland Vase costume, recreated by Urban Wilderness CIC, is a popular element, and next year's DesignLab Nation brief will have KS4 students design additional costumes based on the 1930 bicentenary pageant. The Play Space opened on 28 March and is free to visit, with additional workshops like Craft Club and Majolica Makes Workshop during school holidays.