Impressions of Heritage: Intergenerational Encounters with Stoke-on-Trent’s Material Culture

In a city shaped by the rise and fall of the British ceramics industry, this paper explores how craft-based engagement can rekindle connections to heritage and identity. During family-oriented workshops at Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, participants were invited to explore the region’s industrial arts legacy through the process of active making. Using linocut printing, inspired by renowned surface patterns, participants engaged in a tactile dialogue with the past, reviving stories of craftsmanship and community. In a place where economic hardship and cultural loss have left deep marks, these moments of shared creativity offered not only artistic expression but also a sense of pride. The workshops encouraged intergenerational collaboration and reflective engagement with material culture. Caregivers were invited to share perspectives on the role of arts and crafts in their children’s lives. Despite the city’s socio-economic challenges, almost 79% of surveyed caregivers affirmed the meaningful value of creative practices for their child’s future and a strong appetite for inclusive, hands-on experiences. Findings demonstrate the potential of dual-audience activities to support intergenerational learning and discourse around material culture. The workshops fostered appreciation for Stoke-on-Trent’s industrial legacy while activating cultural memory and aspiration. This paper contributes to discussions around intangible cultural heritage safeguarding and the role of “making” in inclusive, intergenerational engagement, offering practical insights for heritage practitioners and researchers alike.