William Leisk, Ceramic Collector Extraordinaire

In April 2016 I was invited to do an eight week internship at the Birmingham Museum of Art, Alabama, USA which has the best collection of Wedgwood outside of the UK. This is a brilliant opportunity for me, a young collector, as the internship is usually offered to American college graduates. I was offered this opportunity at a seminar on Wedgwood Ceramics which was held at the Wedgwood Museum. Whilst there, I met one of the curators who not only took a shine to my knowledge and ambition to learn but saw this opportunity as a means to grow my expertise and transform my hobby from a collecting interest to an academic vocation.

About me

I am William, a 17 year old collector with a huge interest in the Wedgwood pottery made in Stoke-on-Trent by Josiah Wedgwood from 1759 to 2009. His highly skilled craftsmen made many different styles of pottery from useful ‘domestic’ ware to exquisitely fine pieces designed to decorate the home and to show off the wealth and refined taste of the proud owner. It is not surprising that ‘Wedgwood’ has become a household name – known all over the world - Josiah was a major innovator in the way ceramics were made, and how they were seen and used by different classes of society.

I have been collecting Wedgwood since I was a nine year old – going around car boot sales and auctions to buy any piece I could afford. As I got older, my collection extended from modern pieces to pieces as early as the 18th century so the Alabama trip would really be an amazing opportunity for me to expand my knowledge, learn new cultures and make new contacts.

Any monies raised will be used to help me pay for the trip – for flights, board and accommodation and other travel expenses. The eight week visit will cost quite a lot of money and I don’t want to burden my dad. I have been trying to sell some of my collection to fund this trip but I know it won't be enough.

Many Thanks
William