Details

Name

Ann Macbeth

Brief Biography

1875 - 1948, English

Occupation

Artist

Description

Ann Macbeth enrolled as a student at the Glasgow School of Art in 1897 gaining excellent class passes in the life drawing and design exams in 1898 and 1899. In 1899 she received a prize for needlework and was appointed assistant instructress to Mrs Newbery in 1901. The following year she gave a special course of instruction in embroidery at Helensburgh Day School Company's Schools and in 1904 was appointed to the 91D class for teachers. She extended her teaching in 1906 to include metalwork and in 1907 bookbinding design which she continued until 1911. In 1908 she succeeded Mrs Newbery as head of the department and became a member of the staff council. During the following three years she lectured widely in Scotland and England on the teaching of needlework, the result of which was the joint publication with Margaret Swanson of Educational Needlecraft. In the summer of 1911 she also taught art needlework and decorative leatherwork at the summer school at St Andrews. During 1912 she was awarded the Diploma of the School of Art and began teaching ceramic decoration, she was also asked to represent the school in the Students Careers Association for Women. After the resignation of Margaret Swanson, in 1913, she was appointed Lady Warden. She continued to lecture throughout Britain and in 1914 was asked by the National Froebel Union to draw up a programme of work for their proposed Diploma course in handwork. In 1916 she extended her lecturing to North Wales through the University of Bangor. During World War I she sent a student to Reading to organise needlework as an employment for wounded soldiers and through her efforts potter painting was taken up both in schools and by wounded men. She continued to extend her interest in the teaching of needlework publishing. The Playwork Book in 1918, Schools and Fireside Crafts with Mary Spence in 1920, Embroidered Lace and Leatherwork in 1924, Needleweaving 1926, and The Countrywoman's Rug Book in 1929. In 1920 she moved the Lake District but continued as a visiting instructress until 1928 when she retired from the school. Ann Macbeth's work was high regarded, particularly her figure designs, and examples were frequently shown at major exhibitions throughout Europe. She was awarded the Lauder Prize by the Lady Artists' Clube in 1930 and again in 1938. She was a prolific writer and she produced many designs which were worked by her family and students.