The Moseley School of Art is an institution worth remembering. It was a fertile ground for groundbreaking artists and musicians.
It operated from 1900 to 1976. It was initially established as the Moseley School of Arts and Crafts amid the Arts and Crafts movement which ran from 1875 to 1920, which emphasised the importance of handcrafted goods and traditional techniques. But continued to develop through the ages to include music and acting.
The school was located on Moseley Road in Balsall Heath in Birmingham, and it became known for its excellent art education programs. It offered courses in painting, drawing, sculpture, and design, and it attracted many talented students and teachers over the years.
The school closed down in 1976 due to dwindling number of students and financial difficulties. However, the legacy of the school lives on through the work of its former students and teachers.
Here are some of the famous people who went to the school:
1. Ali Campbell of UB40
Former lead singer of British reggae band UB40, Ali Campbell went to The Moseley School of Art. He was born in Birmingham and since his departure from UB40 has formed a band called UB40 featuring Ali Campbell. He also pursued a solo career prior to that. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
2. Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac
Christine McVie joined Fleetwood Mac in 1968 amd was a member of the band until her death in November 2022. She studied sculpture at Moseley School of Art for five years with the aim of becoming an art teacher. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)
3. Roy Wood, the singer and songwriter of Wizzard
He was a member and co-founder of the Move, Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 as a member of Electric Light Orchestra. Born in Kitts Green, he studied at Moseley Art School but was expelled in 1964. He is credited for playing a major role in the glam rock, psychedelic and prog rock movements. (Photo by Pierre Manevy/Express/Getty Images)
4. Advertising executive Trevor Beattie
Trevor Beattie is a founding partner, chairman and creative director of Beattie McGuinness Bungay (BMB), and was formerly the chairman and creative director of TBWA London. He is one of the leading figures in advertising in Britain. (Photo -Andy Mabbett/ Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported)