Towneley from A to Z
Towneley from A to Z
This entry uses the introductory label from a retrospective exhibition of her work at Towneley in 2007, curated by her husband, James.
Joyce Taylor was a member of the Haffner family of Burnley. She studied at Burnley High chool for girls on a scholarship and attended Manchester College of Art (1938-1943) obtaining the Art Teacher's Diploma and the City and Guilds Embroidery Certificate (First Class).
She taught first in Bolton and then at Burnley Wood Secondary School until she married James Spencer Taylor in 1948. She then taught part time at Bolton College of Art and Bolton Women's College until 1980 as well as being an artist and craftswoman.
Her speciality was hand embroidery and as a member of the Red Rose Guild she exhibited at the Whitworth art Gallery and executed many commissions especially for altar frontals.
In later years Joyce concentrated on paintings and exhibited at the Haworth Art Gallery and the Society of Women Artists in London.
She is represented in the collections at Towneley with three oil paintings and three watercolour paintings .