Three generations study at School of Art

There’ll be no shortage of creativity in one Manchester household this Christmas – after the third generation of Wrigleys opted to study at Manchester School of Art.

Emma Wrigley, 19, is taking the exact same course her dad Simon, 50, and his father Dennis, 81 studied at the famous school, which is part of MMU.

The artistic family’s 63-year relationship with the School started in 1948 when grandfather Dennis enrolled on the Art Foundation course as part of his training to become an architect.

In the 70s his son Simon Wrigley signed up for the same Art Foundation course, and it was while studying at the university that he met his future wife, Helen Parsley who is also an artist.

This September the couple’s middle daughter Emma followed in their footsteps and is just finishing her first term as an Art Foundation student: “I am so pleased to be on the course as I nearly didn’t get a place. I really love it, I’ve just chosen my first option which is 3D design, so I’m really looking forward to getting started on that.”

Proud

Dad Simon, 50, says: “We are so proud of her. It’s amazing that three generations of our family have studied in the same place.

“The School of Art is definitely very close to our hearts. For dad’s 80th birthday last year we took him on a trip down memory lane and went into the university’s Grosvenor building.

“He used to work in one of the rooms on the first floor, and it turns out that’s where I used to do my life drawings – now no doubt Emma will be working in there too.”

Granddad Dennis, 81, who lives across the road from his son in Flixton, Manchester and who went on to practice as an architect said: “The actual buildings have hardly changed at all but the course and student experience seemed to have changed enormously. It’s a much richer student experience these days, and the facilities are better.

“When I was studying all we had was a studio on the top floor of the Whitworth Art Gallery, it was still great preparation for my future career though.”

Love blossomed

The Manchester School of Art also holds memories for mum Helen, 47, who fondly recalls: “Simon asked me out in All Saints’ Park, just in front of the Art building and we’ve been together ever since.

“It’s definitely a special place for us,” Simon continues : “It was our 25th wedding anniversary last year and as a surprise for Helen I decorated the top of the Chatham building with balloons and we went up there and sipped champagne to celebrate.”

Both Helen and Simon worked in the creative industries, with Simon working as a product designer and Helen illustrating children’s books for over 20 years before touring the country exhibiting her own work.

Artistic legacy

She thinks the family’s artistic heritage has probably influenced their daughter, “When they were little babies they had a cutting out and crayoning table - we’ve always encouraged them to be creative and make as much mess as they wanted.

“We also took the girls to the degree shows every year, to see the students’ artwork so they’ve always known about the course.

“It was Emma’s decision though, she really wanted to study at MMU and she is has gained so much confidence in her work since starting there, which is great to see.

Helen adds: “We had so much fun studying at the School of Art, we had such a good time, but it seems like they work the students harder these days. Although the facilities have changed, in some ways it’s the same place where we went all those years ago – it still has the same spirit, the same essence.”