Keswick School of Industrial Art

Established in 1884 by Canon Hardwicke Drummond Rawnsley (1851-1920) and his wife, Edith Rawnsley, formerly Edith Fletcher (1847-1916), at Crosthwaite, near Keswick, Cumberland. The aim of the school was to provide evening classes in metalwork in the local parish rooms. Daytime courses were first introduced in 1898. In 1885, the School was affiliated with the Home Arts and Industries Association. By the early 1890's they were exhibiting nationally and had established a reputation for the quality of work emanating from the School, and it swiftly developed a reputation for high-quality copper and silver decorative metalwork. In 1894, the School moved into new purpose-built premises at Greta Bridge near Barnard Castle, where it remained for the next ninety years. During its history, the School had five directors: Herbert J. Maryon (1900-1904), Robert Hilton (1904-1921), G. Atholl Weeks (1921-1952), Thomas Hartley (1953-1962) and Charles W. Petrie (1962-1984).

In 1889, Marion Twelves, together with Edith Rawnsley, established a spinning and weaving business at the School. Supported and encouraged by John Ruskin, the business was known as the Keswick Ruskin Linen Industry and functioned for five years. In 1896, a woodcarving course was introduced, taught by Arthur W. Simpson, and in 1898, Harold Stabler was appointed Head of the School’s metalwork department, a post he held for two years. Courses in drawing and design, jewellery and embroidery also featured on the curriculum. During the 1930's the School produced pieces in stainless steel for Heal’s. Examples of the School’s work are illustrated in the Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art, 1906. A silver rose bowl with pierced cover and a hanging lamp, both designed by Robert Hilton and executed by the School, are illustrated in the Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art, 1907. The school was mainly financed from sales of its products, but its funds became insufficient in the 1980's, from a combination of inadequate marketing and cheaper imported goods. The School closed in December 1984.

Work from the School often contains a monogram KSIA arranged in a circle.

Image(s) below (click to enlarge):