MY JUBILEE

70 plates for 70 years

Working in collaboration with designer-maker Katie Bunnell, we have created a unique snapshot of local residents in 2022 by designing 70 plates with local people aged over 70 to celebrate the Queen’s 70th Jubilee.

“I thought the idea of making plates was a very clever idea. Plates have been used through the ages to commemorate important events but usually for important people, now ordinary people will have a chance to be remembered.” Annie Jones, participant

THE PLATES

Click HERE to see all the plates and read about the people who designed them.

About the Project

‘My Jubilee’ received funding from the National Lottery Community Fund who put a call out for projects to help celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. Grays Wharf Director Megan Beck and Katie Bunnell thought it would be fantastic to try to create 70 commemorative plates designed by and celebrating local residents, working with as many people aged over 70 as possible. The team called on local contacts in the Town Council and other community groups including the Penryn WI and the Penryn Memory Café to help gather local residents to take part. Plate designs were created by participants aged over 70 working together with Katie, Megan and younger members of the community, including students from Falmouth University who helped out while designing their own plate. Eight workshops over four weeks resulted in the magic number of 70 designs.

“I really enjoyed meeting other people from the community. It was lovely hearing the stories from some of the older folk about their experiences growing up in Falmouth and Penryn. I loved seeing the photographs they had bought along and seeing how the area had changed.” India Brown, participant / helper

Each design features imagery which is particularly meaningful to the person who created it, alongside an outline or silhouette of their profile, in reference to the familiar outline of the Queen’s head on a coin or a stamp. The plates range in theme from outlines of local buildings to flowers, seagulls, motorbikes, favourite places, pets and family portraits. Each plate is accompanied by a short story about the person who made it, their inspiration and their connection to the area.

“My plate represents Penryn Buzz, which I’m really proud of, and the Town Hall which is also the Museum where I volunteer, so the items on the plate really reflect me. I love Penryn, even though I was born in Falmouth, because in Penryn you’re always given a chance. If you’re prepared to get on and do something, then the town will support you. The community spirit is amazing.” Chaz Wenmoth, participant

The designs were created by the participants using paper and pens in a colour range carefully selected by Katie Bunnell to ensure they worked well with the ceramic process. Once the designs had been created, each one was digitally scanned and processed by Katie to turn them into ceramic transfers ready to be applied to bone china plates. These ‘one of a kind’ plates are a unique combination of cutting edge ceramic technology and traditional design, The 70 individual finished plates have been produced by Digital Ceramic Systems who are based in Stoke-on-Trent, home of the potteries.  

THE Exhibition

All 70 plates were exhibited at Grays Wharf in August 2022 to coincide with the annual Penryn Town Fair. Participants came along to a celebratory event to see their plate, meet others and share their stories. Exhibition photography by Rachael Jones.

PROJECT ARTIST

Thank You

A very big thank you to a fabulous band of helpers who helped people to design, draw, cut, trace and glue their way though 70 designs, all the while sharing stories and experiences: Hannah Purshouse, Steve House, India Brown, Catherine Rowland, Laura Harris, Lottie Matthews, Jessie Higginson, Tom Ebdon, Tommie Tridgell and Tom Jay.

The project is possible thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund who put a call out for projects to help celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee.