Latvian Arts and Crafts Group in Leeds

In 1952, an artisan craft studio was founded in Leeds, UK, by Rūdolfs Priede. Priede had been a master woodworker in Latvia. In the first years of Priede’s studio, located in the basement of his house, people worked with leather, wood and metal. Training was given on ornamental composition and drafting. The original aim of the studio was to train craftspeople in the making of Latvian objects. After WWII, Elga Kivicka (1905–1970), a weaver and folk costume expert, had also arrived in Northern England and taught handicrafts, mainly weaving.

Later, from 1981 to 1990, the Latvian arts and crafts group in Leeds met and worked in the attic of Rudolfs Priede’s house. There was a large loom, and the group wove various textiles, forged metal ornaments, made dolls and folk costumes. The Latvian arts and craft group in Leeds was led by Rita Jefimova, with Ērika Vīlipsone consulting on composition and colour theory. Grand collaborative works were also created, such as cross-stitched blankets and a unique “mitten blanket”.