Ruskin Mill College

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Past Exhibitions

Our exhibition schedule may have been disrupted for 2020, but we still managed to put on three diverse exhibitions in the Hive Gallery before we closed. Take a look at 2020 so far...
Make a Great Get Together Mandala!

We can’t physically get together this year, but we can visually show our solidarity instead! Over the weekend 19-21 June, let's bring together in spirit thousands of people across the UK to weave Great Get Together mandalas from wool and sticks and hang our creations outdoors on trees, railings, fences and benches along with the message that we believe in the POWER OF COMMUNITY.
Birmingham's POWER OF COMMUNITY yarn bomb for the Great Get Together 2020

We are delighted to have teamed up with Birmingham More In Common for this year's Great Get Together to run a city-wide collaborative craft activity, bringing together 'in spirit' people from across Birmingham in the POWER OF COMMUNITY yarn bomb! Over the weekend 19-21 June make and display a Great Get Together-themed wool mandala somewhere outside. Snap it, share it! Find out more...
Open call for makers and creative practitioners

Are you a maker, designer or artist, perhaps you are a writer with a passion for storytelling or a creative practitioner with an interest in heritage? During the lockdown, we want to continue to support the arts community. We are looking to hear from creative practitioners with potential designs and ideas inspired by our building and its history.

Neurodiversity - a Living Conference 2020

We regret that The Neurodiversity Conference - Crafting Connections - has been postponed until July 2021 for reasons that will be obvious to all. Full refunds are being issued to all ticketholders. The really good news is that Steve Silberman has agreed to join us in 2021 and we look forward to seeing you then.
Clervaux Garden School

Set in our 100 acre biodynamic farm, Clervaux Garden School provides an opportunity for young people aged 10 - 16 years to learn and grow within a holistic educational framework. Our aim is to develop responsible, free-thinking young people who can contribute to society with initiative and purpose.
The Fold

The Fold is a brand new centre for army families, set in the middle of a farm in beautiful countryside near the River Tees. Funded by a Libor grant from The Treasury service families can spend time in the countryside together.
Glasshouse Phase 3 Development

Glasshouse Phase 3 is a project which has transformed two of the previously un-refurbished buildings on the Glasshouse site.
The Jewellery Quarter during World War II

Volunteer Mac Joseph has been carrying out research on our building's history during World War II. It's so interesting to see how Vittoria Street, and the wider Jewellery Quarter was affected by air raids. There is a focus on Joseph Smith, the last manufacturing occupants of Standard Works.
Freeman Biodynamic Garden at High Riggs

Located in Stannington bordering the Peak District the Freeman Biodynamic Garden provides fruit and vegetables for Freeman College, Brantwood Specialist School and the Fusion Café.
Clervaux bakery and cafe

Clervaux Trust's award wining artisan cafe and bakery in Darlington.
Fusion Cafe

Located on Arundel Street the award winning Fusion Café provides a warm and happy atmosphere for many delighted customers. Praised by the Guardian as one of the best cafes in the North.
Merlin Theatre

Transforming the Merlin Theatre has enriched the cultural life of Sheffield and provided cultural venue for Freeman College and Brantwood Specialist School..
Butchers Works Gallery

Opened in 2008, the Gallery is situated in a historic and beautifully renovated grinding factory in the heart of Sheffield. The Gallery is part of Freeman College’s social enterprise development and gives our students a unique opportunity to gain skills working on high quality exhibitions often including the College’s metal, jewellery, wool and woodwork.

Plan your visit

The International Festival of Glass takes place at venues across the Stourbridge Glass Quarter. Entry to all Festival venues is free, however some activities and events will have a charge.
Hive Cafe and Bakery

The Hive Cafe and Bakery provides a warm welcome in the heart of Birmingham's famous Jewellery Quarter, with delicious pastries, cake, bread and meals. Come and visit us. Try our coffee! Please visit us at The Hive subsite. www.thehiveJQ.org
Why we exist
Our story

The seeds of Ruskin Mill Land Trust were sown in 1967 when Robin and Barbara Gordon transplanted their young sons Aonghus and Alisdair from the hothouse of the Ruskin Centre for Art Appreciation in Venice to the cold frame of a dilapidated former textile mill in Gloucestershire.
Merlin Theatre

Transforming the Merlin Theatre has enriched the cultural life of Sheffield and provided cultural venue for Freeman College and Brantwood Specialist School..
Freeman Biodynamic Garden at High Riggs

Located in Stannington bordering the Peak District the Freeman Biodynamic Garden provides fruit and vegetables for Freeman College, Brantwood Specialist School and the Fusion Café.
British Glass Biennale 2019 - selected artists

The Ruskin Mill Land Trust, in association with the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers, is delighted to announce the artists for the 2019 British Glass Biennale exhibition. Over two days an expert panel of judges chaired by Róisín de Buitléar and comprising of Dr Jane Cook, Monica Guggisberg, Angel Monzon, and Cathy Shankland, selected the very best of this year’s entries, all of which achieved a very high standard.
Vale Head Farm

Vale Head Farm was an equestrian centre when we purchased it, and over the years hard work has seen it bloom into a beautiful biodynamic farm.
Aonghus Gordon MEd, FRSA, Executive Chair

Aonghus has a distinguished track record of development and leadership of several ground-breaking charities that provide high quality environments and opportunities for people with disabilities. He is passionate about the need for people to break out of dependency and marginalisation, believing that everyone has the potential to shape their own future.
2015 British Glass Biennale

2015 British Glass Biennale