Withy Lore Exhibition

Our immersive new Withy Lore exhibition explores the critically endangered craft of withy pot making, celebrating the community of makers past and present and preserving its heritage for the future. Open until the 30^th June 2025 at the newly renovated Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery in Truro, the exhibition gives visitors a chance to plunge themselves into a world of willow.

Once a common sight around the South-West coast, withy pots are a centuries old means of catching crab and lobster, largely made from willow. Today, only a handful of withy pot makers remain and the craft is classed as critically endangered. Together with artist Anna Pope, who has a passion for withy pots and a personal family connection to the craft, Storylines have been spending time with the last remaining makers.

Whether journeying by ferry from the Isles of Scilly, or motorbike from the Mevagissey, withy pots have been travelling from far and wide to become part of the exhibition, sparking many interesting conversations along their journey. The Withy Lore exhibition wouldn’t have been possible without the support from the withy pot community, who have kindly shared their stories and skills with us. Each pot tells its own story and it’s impossible not to be become totally captivated by the craft.

Withy pots were traditionally woven by fishermen each winter, with knowledge and skills passed down the generations. Cast into the sea from spring, withy pots typically only lasted one season before breaking down to leave no trace. This cycle, so in tune with nature’s seasonal rhythms, became broken with the introduction of modern plastic and metal pots during the late 20^th century. The craft and its heritage is quickly fading and we felt a great sense of urgency to document and share the craft through art.

 With thanks to funding raised by National Lottery players through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as well as grants from FEAST Cornwall, Cornwall Community Foundation, the St.Aubyn Foundation and the Fishmongers Company, the project has worked with people of all ages including school children from Marazion Primary School and students from Cornwall College. Bryony Robins, Co-Director at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, commented: “We’re thrilled to have Withy Lore exhibition as part of our diverse programme of exhibitions here at the recently reopened of the museum. The themes it addresses interact brilliantly with our reimagined Nature Gallery and Kurt Jackson’s exhibition Biodiversity. Feedback from visitors echoes the love and care which has gone into the creation of the inspiring installation, and it’s particularly gratifying to overhear cross-generational conversations taking place in the gallery about this endangered craft.”

For more about different elements of the Withy Lore exhibition please visit here.