In a world first collaboration between a museum and football club, William Morris Gallery and Walthamstow FC have teamed up to launch a new kit and training apparel for the 23/24 & 24/25 season, produced by British sports manufacturer Admiral, to support the club’s journey as it climbs the football pyramid and establishes a new women’s team in the area.

The project, devised by Wood Street Walls, a London based art collective, selected the pattern “Yare” from the museum’s archives for both home and away kits - designed by John Henry Dearle sometime after 1892. It was block printed on cotton at Merton Abbey and features scrolling green leaves with flowers in shades of pale blue, red and yellow on dark blue background. John Henry Dearle (1859-1932) was a British textile and stained-glass designer trained by William Morris who was much influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Dearle designed many of the later wallpapers and textiles released by Morris & Co. and contributed background and foliage patterns to tapestry.

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OUR VISION

Creating a sustainable link between the local and artistic communities of Waltham Forest through public art, affordable studio space and free workshops.

1. ACCESSIBLE ART

To make art accessible through the creation and installation of outdoor public art.

2. INCREASE ARTIST WORKSPACE PROVISION

To establish new creative hubs, by repurposing disused or underutilized buildings and realising spare capacity.

3. ART FOR ALL

To provide free workshops to the local community led by our resident artists in return for affordable rent.

OUR STORY SO FAR

After a move to Walthamstow, WSW co-founder, Mark, set himself the challenge to bring one of his passions, street art to his new neighbourhood.

Through social media he connected with STATIC (Tom and Craig), Walthamstow residents, working in nearby Hackney Wick, wanting to make the leap to outdoor art. The group shared a passion for street art but more importantly held a mutual desire to make a positive impact through art.

Regeneration in Hackney Wick was pushing Tom and Craig out of their studio and wanting to work we they live, it quickly became clear that there was an acute lack of affordable creative space in Waltham Forest. A crowdfunding campaign was launched to repurpose an abandoned building near Wood Street into a creative hub. Street art was the focal point to raise awareness of the growing need for artistic space in London and to demonstrate the positive the creative community has on an area.

Working with renowned artists like Conor Harrington, Phlegm and Invader and supporting well known but also local artists HATCH, Mark McClure and Lillylou the team have worked on over 30 collaborations in just over two years.